How to Clear or Disable the Recent Documents List in Microsoft Word 2016

If you use Microsoft Word 2016 frequently, you may have noticed that the program keeps track of the documents you have recently opened. While this feature can be convenient, it can also be a privacy concern if you share your computer with others. Additionally, having a long list of recent documents can make it difficult to find the file you need. In this article, we will discuss how to clear or disable the recent documents list in Microsoft Word 2016.

Clearing the Recent Documents List

To clear the recent documents list in Microsoft Word 2016, follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Word 2016.
2. Click on the “File” tab in the top left corner of the screen.
3. In the menu on the left, click on “Options.”
4. In the Word Options window, click on “Advanced” in the menu on the left.
5. Scroll down to the “Display” section.
6. In the “Show this number of Recent Documents” field, enter “0.”
7. Click “OK” to save the changes.

This will clear the recent documents list in Microsoft Word 2016. However, if you want to disable the feature altogether, follow the steps below.

Disabling the Recent Documents List

To disable the recent documents list in Microsoft Word 2016, follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Word 2016.
2. Click on the “File” tab in the top left corner of the screen.
3. In the menu on the left, click on “Options.”
4. In the Word Options window, click on “Advanced” in the menu on the left.
5. Scroll down to the “Display” section.
6. Uncheck the box next to “Show this number of Recent Documents.”
7. Click “OK” to save the changes.

This will disable the recent documents list in Microsoft Word 2016. However, if you want to keep the feature but limit the number of documents shown, follow the steps below.

Limiting the Number of Recent Documents

To limit the number of recent documents shown in Microsoft Word 2016, follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Word 2016.
2. Click on the “File” tab in the top left corner of the screen.
3. In the menu on the left, click on “Options.”
4. In the Word Options window, click on “Advanced” in the menu on the left.
5. Scroll down to the “Display” section.
6. In the “Show this number of Recent Documents” field, enter the desired number.
7. Click “OK” to save the changes.

This will limit the number of recent documents shown in Microsoft Word 2016 to the number you specified.

File Management and Organization

Managing and organizing your files is an important aspect of using Microsoft Word 2016. By clearing or disabling the recent documents list, you can have more control over your file management and organization. This can also help improve your productivity by making it easier to find the files you need.

In conclusion, the recent documents list in Microsoft Word 2016 can be a useful feature, but it can also be a privacy concern and make it difficult to find files. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can clear or disable the recent documents list and have more control over your file management and organization. Have you tried any of these methods? Let us know in the comments.