Clear or Remove the Recent Items List

[jaycalderwood]

How do I clear or better yet remove the Recent List in WM5?

Thanks!

Jay.

[Brandon Miniman]

I actually had this same question.

There is no built-in way to do this via WM 5.0 -- but you can download Tweaks2k2 (http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=2715&associateid=1070), which will allow you to clear recent programs.

[Pony99CA]

Originally posted by jaycalderwood
How do I clear or better yet remove the Recent List in WM5?
Just to be clear, what "Recent List" are you referring to? There are icons at the top of the Start menu for the most recently used (MRU) programs. There is also the new most frequently used (MFU) list that was added to the Start menu as part of WM 2003 SE.

To clear the MRU list, there's a registry hack that allows this or, as Brandon mentioned, Tweaks will do it, too. If you're interested in the registry hack, I can find it for you.

If you really wanted to clear the MFU, I can't help because I'm still using my iPAQ 5550, which only supports WM 2003, and I haven't heard any tricks about that area.

Steve

[meslierlp]

You might want to check this discussion:

Google groups (http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.pocketpc/browse_thread/thread/d4537c1a66a31057)

Let us know if it worked.

[rich-k]

I've been plagued by this same issue for weeks and I FINALLY figured out a functional work around.

Use some type of utility (like Resco File Explorer or just browse to the PDA while in the cradle from your PC) and browse to the Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder on the PDA. Create sub-folders in the root of the Programs folder (such as Utilities, Applications, Games, etc) and copy all of your shortcuts from the Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder into these sub-folders. Once complete, go to Settings and Menus. From here, uncheck all of the programs that are checked and place checks next to all the sub-folders that you just created (* Make sure you stay under the maximum limit of 5 (or whatever)).

It seems that the "recent list" only monitors the Start Menu\Programs folder. If you move your shortcuts out of this folder, they no longer appear on that dreaded recent list. The major bonus that I've noticed is that the Start menu no longer has that 3 - 5 second lag!!!

Note: Using this work around, you will need to move the shortcuts of any newly installed applications into your sub-folders manually. Also, be sure you remap your PDA buttons to the location of the new shortcuts. Other then these two "cons", this solution works GREAT!!!

I hope this help!

Rich

[MarcFou]

That sounds like a great tip. So would I create the subfolders in Windows\Start Menu then?

I already have several subs in Programs so all I would have to do is move them. But then i am assuming that if I tapped Start, Programs I wont see my folders. They will only be visible in the start menu?

2 things that have annoyed me in WM5 is the recent apps in the menu and the removal of the new menu. I really loved that new menu because it was the only easy way to create a new document from one of the templates.

Now without the new menu you have to open Word and goto the options to change from the default blank doc to a template. Then change it back again etc. What a pain.

Has anyone used http://www.saman-cz.com/ppc/nmnovrw.html and can you tell me if it supports the new from template like the new menu did in 2003?

TIA

[Pony99CA]

Use some type of utility (like Resco File Explorer or just browse to the PDA while in the cradle from your PC) and browse to the Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder on the PDA. Create sub-folders in the root of the Programs folder (such as Utilities, Applications, Games, etc) and copy all of your shortcuts from the Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder into these sub-folders. Once complete, go to Settings and Menus. From here, uncheck all of the programs that are checked and place checks next to all the sub-folders that you just created (* Make sure you stay under the maximum limit of 5 (or whatever)).

It seems that the "recent list" only monitors the Start Menu\Programs folder. If you move your shortcuts out of this folder, they no longer appear on that dreaded recent list. The major bonus that I've noticed is that the Start menu no longer has that 3 - 5 second lag!!!
Maybe they changed how WM 5 works, but your suggestion certainly doesn't work in Windows Mobile 2003. I've used subfolders in the Programs folder for years, and programs launched from the subfolders do show up in the Recent Programs list.

The one thing that I didn't do is remove the programs from the Start Menu and replace them with the subfolders, but that shouldn't make a difference on how programs not in the Start Menu are launched.

Of course, the big question is why you want to never have programs show up in the MRU list. I can understand wanting to clear it once in a while, but not keeping it permanently clear. It's not like you get any screen space back by doing that (at least not on WM 2003).

Steve

[MarcFou]

Well, for me its a matter of I dont like my menu changing. Like under XP I set the start menu to display 0 recent items. I then added 6 shortcuts to my favorite apps.

So no matter what. When I click on start I always see the same thing. Thats what I would like to have on my Axim. I'm not a very dynamic person I guess :D

[Pony99CA]

Well, for me its a matter of I dont like my menu changing. Like under XP I set the start menu to display 0 recent items. I then added 6 shortcuts to my favorite apps.

So no matter what. When I click on start I always see the same thing.
OK, so it's back to the question I asked when this thread started. Are you talking about the most recently used (MRU) list (which is a strip along the top of the Start Menu that I assume is still in WM 5) or the most frequently used (MFU) list (which I think is a few icons in the Start Menu above the programs you put there, which was added in WM 2003 SE)? They aren't the same thing.

I would definitely agree about getting rid of the MFU list. I want my favorite programs in the Start Menu, and don't want my list reduced by Microsoft putting programs there that they think should go there.

Steve

[Gerard]

Wow, yours works differently from any PPC I've used. I keep zero (0) shortcuts in the \Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder. Haven't had one stay there more than about 30 seconds after installing anything since I started getting fussy about folder structures in late 2000. And yet, every single program I launch from one of my 9 subfolders leaves an icon along the top of my Start Menu. How is it for me, yet not for you?

[MarcFou]

I would definitely agree about getting rid of the MFU list. I want my favorite programs in the Start Menu, and don't want my list reduced by Microsoft putting programs there that they think should go there.

SteveI think the MRU and MFU have been merged in WM5 to reflect recently used apps period. Dont know if thats MRU or MFU.

When your start menu fills up, the fist shortcut added gets replaced by the new one. You can add your own favorite shortcuts that never get removed, but there is a limit too how many. This way there is always room for MRU :(

Here is a screenshot of WM5
http://www.techteam.gr/reviews/albums/winmobile5/Windows_Mobile_5_-_Screenshot_02_-_Start_Menu.png

The first section shows your defined shortcuts. Next recently used apps then system menu items.

[Pony99CA]

I think the MRU and MFU have been merged in WM5 to reflect recently used apps period. Dont know if thats MRU or MFU.

When your start menu fills up, the fist shortcut added gets replaced by the new one. You can add your own favorite shortcuts that never get removed, but there is a limit too how many. This way there is always room for MRU :(

Here is a screenshot of WM5
http://www.techteam.gr/reviews/albums/winmobile5/Windows_Mobile_5_-_Screenshot_02_-_Start_Menu.png

The first section shows your defined shortcuts. Next recently used apps then system menu items.
Thanks for the picture. Apparently that was also true in WM 2003 SE, but the MRU list is displayed differently in portrait mode and landscape mode, which may be why I thought it included both the MRU list and an MFU list (besides the fact that I recall reading that Microsoft had added an MFU list). Here are two screen shots from our Windows Mobile 2003 SE review (http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=reviews&id=408).

Portrait: http://www.pocketnow.com/html/portal/reviews/0000000408/review/snap005.gif
Landscape: http://www.pocketnow.com/html/portal/reviews/0000000408/review/snap006.gif

As I said, I had read that Microsoft added a Most Frequently Used list to the Start Menu, but maybe they just moved the Most Recently Use list there in Portrait Mode. I assume that Microsoft did that because, in landscape mode, there was only enough room to fit 5 favorites and the MRU strip in the Start Menu. To prevent "losing" favorites in landscape mode, they limited the number to five regardless of the screen orientation (it used to be nine in Windows Mobile 2003, which only supported portrait mode). However, that made the portrait Start Menu shorter, so they moved the MRU strip from the top of the menu to the Start Menu itself. That has the benefit of showing the names of the programs, but the downside of potentially showing fewer programs than the strip shows (the new way shows 6 programs, but the strip could show more than 6 depending on the length of the program names in the Start Menu).

However, if you can't store more than five programs in the Start Menu yourself regardless of whether the MRU list is there or not, I'd keep the MRU list there anyway. Why not take advantage of it? If I could actually show more favorites by getting rid of the MRU list, that would be a different story.

As for whether the list is most recently used or most frequently used applications, my experience with the Motorola Q seems to indicate that the most recently run applications get stored there, regardless of how frequently they're used.

Steve

[rich-k]

MarcFou - Simply move your sub-folders out of the Start Menu\Programs folder.

Pony99CA - The sub-folders cannot stay in the Start Menu\Programs folder. You must move them to a different location (like the root of the Start Menu folder)

Gerard - This works fine on both WM5 PDAs that I've tried it on. Basically move everything out of your Start Menu\Programs folder and they will stop showing up on the recent list

I never said this was a great solution, but it DOES work. I guess it depends on how bad you want to get rid of the recent list. Personally I'd rather reconfigure a few menus then to deal with the recent list. I still can't figure out why MS wouldn't have included an option to disable this ANNOYING "feature".

Rich

[Pony99CA]

Pony99CA - The sub-folders cannot stay in the Start Menu\Programs folder. You must move them to a different location (like the root of the Start Menu folder)
That makes more sense, but it's not what you said:
Create sub-folders in the root of the Programs folder (such as Utilities, Applications, Games, etc) and copy all of your shortcuts from the Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder into these sub-folders. Once complete, go to Settings and Menus. From here, uncheck all of the programs that are checked and place checks next to all the sub-folders that you just created (* Make sure you stay under the maximum limit of 5 (or whatever)).
Based on that, it sounds like the subfolders are still in \Start Menu\Programs.

Personally I'd rather reconfigure a few menus then to deal with the recent list. I still can't figure out why MS wouldn't have included an option to disable this ANNOYING "feature".
Marc gave his reasons for not liking this, but why do you find it annoying? Do you also dislike the MRU strip in landscape mode?

Personally, I think the recent programs feature is useful, especially if you don't have a task manager on your PDA. If I'm running a program, but get interrupted and need to run some other programs, the MRU list allows easily finding the program when I want to go back to it.

With a task manager, it's not so useful. However, it is useful for programs that I know I run frequently, but don't care enough about to put in my Start Menu. I have a couple of games I play that I don't put in my Start Menu, but they're usually very easy to launch because they're almost always in the MRU list.

Remember that using a PDA means you usually want to do things quickly, and the MRU list helps get to some programs more quickly. I just wish Microsoft would take the next step and add a freaking task manager. We've only been asking for one for 5 years or so. :rolleyes:

Steve

[MarcFou]

MarcFou - Simply move your sub-folders out of the Start Menu\Programs folder.Thanks! My start menu looks like this..

[Start]
Applications
Games
Internet
Productivity
Utilities
-------
Programs
Settings

It works great too. I also use SPB Pocket Plus and it automatically updated all my shortcuts. Totally hassle free!

Personally, I think the recent programs feature is useful, especially if you don't have a task manager on your PDA. If I'm running a program, but get interrupted and need to run some other programs, the MRU list allows easily finding the program when I want to go back to it.I use Dinarsoft HandyMenu which gives me access to running apps so I can switch or close them. It has a customizable menu so you can add more items.
http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=10093

[Pony99CA]

I use Dinarsoft HandyMenu which gives me access to running apps so I can switch or close them. It has a customizable menu so you can add more items.
http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=10093
Yes, there are probably dozens of task managers out there, including some good free ones.

However, even with a task manager, that won't address the second good reason to use the MRU list -- starting programs that aren't running. Yes, you can also get a launcher program to have more programs accessible than fit in the Start Menu, but I wonder how many people who don't visit sites like this have task managers or launchers.

Steve

[PDATech]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Shell\TaskSwi tch]
Clear the settings there.

You can get a Free Registry Editor from http://www.tucows.com/preview/32381
:cool:

[Pony99CA]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Shell\TaskSwi tch]
Clear the settings there.
That clears the MRU list, but it doesn't prevent items from showing up there, which is what I believe the original poster really wanted.

If your registry editor supports exporting and importing .reg files, you can just export the above key, then double tap the .reg file to apply it, but you'll have to keep doing it regularly. Even if you put it in your StartUp menu, that will only clear things after a soft reset.

Steve

[fostermom]

This is what i use when i clean the recent list ClearTemp v1.0 and it is free and the web site is freewareppc.com