How to Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box in Windows


The common open file dialog box is the window that opens when you click/tap on File (menu bar) in a program (ex: Notepad, Registry Editor, etc...), and click/tap on Open, Save as, Import, or Export.

By default, the File name field in the dialog box includes a drop-down list of your recently used files to select from if wanted.

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the drop-down list of recently used files in the common open file dialog box for all or specific users in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable the drop-down list of recent files in the common open file dialog box.


 CONTENTS:

  • Option One: Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box for All Users using a REG file


EXAMPLE: Drop-down list of recently used files enabled and disable in common open file dialog box
Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box-common_dialog_dropdown_list_of_recent_files_enabled-1.png Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box-common_dialog_dropdown_list_of_recent_files_disabled-1.png
Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box-common_dialog_dropdown_list_of_recent_files_enabled-2.png Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box-common_dialog_dropdown_list_of_recent_files_disabled-2.png






OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor


The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Two below.

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor, click/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, File Explorer, and Common Open File Dialog. (see screenshot below)

Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box-common_dialog_dropdown_list_of_recent_files_gpedit-1.png

3. In the right pane of Common Open File Dialog, double click/tap on the Hide the dropdown list of recent files policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4. Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


 5. To Enable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box

A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Not Configured is the default setting.


 6. To Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box-common_dialog_dropdown_list_of_recent_files_gpedit-2.png

7. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.






OPTION TWO

Enable or Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box for All Users using a REG file


The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry keys below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Comdlg32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Comdlg32

NoFileMru DWORD

(delete) = Enable
1 = Disable


1. Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Enable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box for All Users

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Enable_common_dialog_box_dropdown_list_of_recent_files_for_all_users.reg

Download


 3. To Disable Dropdown List of Recent Files in Common Dialog Box for All Users

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Disable_common_dialog_box_dropdown_list_of_recent_files_for_all_users.reg

Download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


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