How to Clear Recent Documents History in WordPad app in Windows 10


Microsoft WordPad is a basic rich text editor first included with Microsoft Windows 95 and all versions of Windows since. It is more advanced than Microsoft Notepad but simpler than Microsoft Word.

Whenever you open or save a document file in WordPad (write.exe), the document is added to the File > Recent documents history list in WordPad for quick reference and access.

This tutorial will show you how to clear all or specific files from the recent documents history list in the WordPad (write.exe) app for your account in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

Contents

  • Option One: Clear Specific Recent Documents in WordPad app using Registry Editor
  • Option Two: Clear All Recent Documents in WordPad app using REG file
  • Option Three: Clear All Recent Documents in WordPad app using BAT file



EXAMPLE: Recent documents in WordPad
How to Clear Recent Documents History in WordPad app in Windows 10-wordpad_recent_documents.png






OPTION ONE

Clear Specific Recent Documents in WordPad app using Registry Editor


1 Close WordPad (write.exe) if currently open.

2 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

3 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Wordpad\Recent File List

How to Clear Recent Documents History in WordPad app in Windows 10-wordpad_recent_documents_regedit-1.png

4 In the right pane of the Recent File List key, look for a listed File# string value that has the recent document file path you want to delete. When found, right click or press and hold on the File# (ex: File1), and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot above)

5 Click/tap on Yes to confirm delete. (see screenshot below)

How to Clear Recent Documents History in WordPad app in Windows 10-wordpad_recent_documents_regedit-2.png

6 Repeat step 4 and step 5 for any other recent documents you wanted to clear from WordPad.

7 When finished, you can close Registry Editor if you like.






OPTION TWO

Clear All Recent Documents in WordPad app using REG file


1 Close WordPad (write.exe) if currently open.

2 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.

Clear_all_Recent_Documents_in_WordPad.reg

Download

Contents of .reg file for reference.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Wordpad\Recent File List]


3 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

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

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






OPTION THREE

Clear All Recent Documents in WordPad app using BAT file


1 Close WordPad (write.exe) if currently open.

2 Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.

Clear_all_Recent_Documents_in_WordPad.bat

Download

Contents of .bat file for reference.

Reg Delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Wordpad\Recent File List" /F


3 Save the .bat file to your desktop.

4 Unblock the .bat file.

5 Run the .bat file.

6 You can now delete the .bat file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials



  • Windows 11 Tutorials