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January 09, 2000 12:00 AM

How can I clear the Run history?

Windows IT Pro
InstantDoc ID #13600
Rating: (29)

A. The Run history is stored in the registry in location HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU as a series of values a-z. To delete an entry from the run menu perform the following:

  1. Start the registry editor (regedit.exe)
  2. Move to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
  3. Select the entry you wish to remove, e.g. h
  4. Press the Del key (or select Edit - Delete) and click Yes to the confirmation
  5. Double click the MRUList value and remove the letter you just deleted. Click OK to save the change
  6. Close the registry editor

If you want to clear the whole Run list you can use the TweakUI utility

  1. Start the TweakUI control panel applet (Start - Settings - Control Panel - TweakUI)
  2. Click the Paranoia tab :-)
  3. Check the "Clear Run history at logon"
  4. Click the "Clear Selected Items Now"
  5. You can then either clear the check on "Clear Run history at logon" and click OK or leave it checked to automatically clear the Run at logon

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Comments
  • DWright77
    6 years ago
    Mar 02, 2006

    For XP Users, the fix is simple:
    1. Right click on Start
    2. Go to "Properties"
    3. In start menu choose "Customize"
    4. Choose " Advanced" and click on "Clear List"
    Done.

  • Anthony
    6 years ago
    Jan 07, 2006

    I operate Windows XP Pro and I'm not getting the run history cleared by either method. Any ideas will be welcome.

  • v4p3r
    7 years ago
    Dec 25, 2005

    Where is the "Paranoia" tab in TweakUI? I just downloaded it from some Microsoft site. There is no "Paranoia" tab in the entire thing.

  • Anonymous User
    7 years ago
    Sep 08, 2005

    This is so odd, it worked for me the first time, but it won't now... I'm using a networked computer at work (hence the need ^^; oops) and I don't think IT's done anything, is there something else I should try?

  • Anonymous User
    7 years ago
    Sep 06, 2005

    the regedit thingy worked fine for me with win2000 pro, thanks for the help

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