My Recent Documents History Is Not Adding Recently Opened Items – Start Menu

July 23, 2007 15 Comments

Windows XP My Recent Documents History located on the Start Menu is not adding recently opened / viewed files. The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account’s settings. The Group Policy for Do not keep history of recently opened documents will cause My Recent Documents History not to add any recently opened items when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, My Recent Documents History not adding recently opened / viewed files can be enforced by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the My Recent Documents History not adding recently opened / viewed files then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor

NOTE

The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy restriction.

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

    User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

  5. Double-click Do not keep history of recently opened documents.
  6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the My Recent Documents History not adding recently opened / viewed files on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.

Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Navigate to:

    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  5. Right-click NoRecentDocsHistory to select Modify.
  6. Change the value to 0.
  7. Navigate to:

    HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  8. Right-click NoRecentDocsHistory to select Modify.
  9. Change the value to 0.
  10. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Manual Steps Using REG ADD

  1. Open a Command Window.
  2. Type:

    REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoRecentDocsHistory     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Type:

    REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoRecentDocsHistory     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  6. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Automated Fix Using an Registration File

  1. Download RcntDcmntsHstry.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
  2. Right-click RcntDcmntsHstry.Allow.reg to select Merge.
  3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The RcntDcmntsHstry.Allow.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com). You also can view the contents of the RcntDcmntsHstry.Allow.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Platforms Tested

  • Microsoft Windows XP Editions
Related Articles

Version: 1.5
Edited: May 10, 2012

Filed under Windows XP, Windows XP Fixes Tagged with , , , , ,

My Recent Documents is Missing (Restricted) – Start Menu

July 19, 2007 15 Comments

Windows XP My Recent Documents menu is missing from the Start Menu and is also missing when you try to customize the Start Menu using the Taskbar and Start Menu applet in the Control Panel. The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user accounts settings. The Group Policy for Remove My Recent Documents icon from Start Menu will cause the My Recent Documents menu to be restricted/disabled (removed) from Start Menu when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, My Recent Documents menu can be removed from the Start Menu by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the My Recent Documents menu is missing from the Start Menu and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.
My Recent Documents Missing – Start Menu
My Recent Documents – Start Menu
My Recent Documents Options Missing – Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
My Recent Documents Options – Taskbar and Start Menu Properties

NOTE

Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".

Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor

NOTE

The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy restriction.

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

    User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

  5. Double-click Remove Documents menu from Start Menu.
  6. Select Not Configured.

NOTE

If the My Recent Documents menu is restricted/disabled (missing) from the Start Menu on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.

Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry

  1. Click Start and then Run.
  2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Navigate to:

    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  5. Right-click NoRecentDocsMenu to select Modify.
  6. Change the value to 0.
  7. Navigate to:

    HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

  8. Right-click NoRecentDocsMenu to select Modify.
  9. Change the value to 0.
  10. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Manual Steps Using REG ADD

  1. Open a Command Window.
  2. Type:

    REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoRecentDocsMenu     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Type:

    REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoRecentDocsMenu     /t REG_DWORD /d 0

  5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  6. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Automated Fix Using an Registration File

  1. Download RcntDcmntHstry.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
  2. Right-click RcntDcmntHstry.Allow.reg to select Merge.
  3. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTES

The RcntDcmntHstry.Allow.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com). You also can view the contents of the RcntDcmntHstry.Allow.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Platforms Tested

  • Microsoft Windows XP Editions
Related Articles

Version 1.7
Edited: May 10, 2012

Filed under Windows XP, Windows XP Fixes Tagged with , , , , ,

Microsoft Released Windows Vista Ultimate Extras – July 10, 2007

July 10, 2007 Leave a comment

One Ultimate Extras was released by Microsoft on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 for Windows Vista Ultimate edition. You can only install Ultimate Extras on Windows Vista Ultimate editions. The Ultimate Extras that was released is Windows DreamScene Content Pack.

Windows DreamScene Content Pack

You can read more about the Windows DreamScene Content Pack at the Microsoft Windows Ultimate web site in their announcement blog.

Updating your Windows Vista System

Please keep your computer up to date with Critical and Important updates by using the Windows Update feature in Windows Vista (refer to Checking for Updates on Windows Vista Manually blog article for help) or by visiting Microsoft Update. If you experience any problems with Microsoft Security updates then please call Microsoft support for help. There will be no charge for support on Security Updates.

Microsoft has set up newsgroups for self-support. If you need help for Security updates or any other updates that is issued by Microsoft then please visit the Windows Update newsgroup at using your newsreader news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate.

Version 1.1
Edited: May 10, 2012

Filed under Windows Vista, Windows Vista Updates Tagged with ,

Microsoft Released Windows Vista Updates – July 10, 2007

July 10, 2007 Leave a comment

Five updates were released by Microsoft on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 for Windows Vista. One update is classified as Important (KB936357) and four updates are classified as Recommended (KB905866, KB933928, KB935280, and KB937077).

NOTE

This articles does not show Windows Vista Security Updates. Please review MSFT Security Updates blog category for Windows Vista Security Updates.

Important Updates

KB936357: A microcode reliability update is available that improves the reliability of systems that use Intel processors

Affected Software

Recommend Updates

KB905866: Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [July 2007]

Affected Software

  • Microsoft Windows Vista, 32-bit versions – Download Update
    • Superseded by "KB905866: Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [August 2007]"
    • Supersedes "KB905866: Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [June 2007]"
  • Microsoft Windows Vista, 64-bit versions – Download Update
    • Superseded by "KB905866: Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [August 2007]"
    • Supersedes "KB905866: Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [June 2007]"

KB933928: Update for Windows Vista to improve the product activation and validation process

Affected Software

  • Microsoft Windows Vista, 32-bit versions – Download Update
    • Superseded by "KB938979: An update is available that improves the performance and reliability of Windows Vista"
  • Microsoft Windows Vista, 64-bit versions – Download Update
    • Superseded by "KB938979: An update is available that improves the performance and reliability of Windows Vista"

KB935280: July 2007 Windows Vista Application Compatibilty Update

Affected Software

  • Microsoft Windows Vista, 32-bit versions – Download Update
    • Superseded by "KB943302: December 2007 Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update"
    • Supersedes "KB932246: March 2007 Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update"
  • Microsoft Windows Vista, 64-bit versions – Download Update
    • Superseded by "KB943302: December 2007 Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update"
    • Supersedes "KB932246: March 2007 Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update"

KB937077: A high definition audio device may no longer work after you resume Windows Vista from hibernation or from sleep

Affected Software

  • Microsoft Windows Vista, 32-bit versions – Download Update
    • Supersedes "KB929685: A high definition audio device may no longer work after you resume Windows Vista from hibernation or from sleep"
  • Microsoft Windows Vista, 64-bit versions – Download Update
    • Supersedes "KB929685: A high definition audio device may no longer work after you resume Windows Vista from hibernation or from sleep"

Updating your Windows Vista System

Please keep your computer up to date with Critical and Important updates by using the Windows Update feature in Windows Vista (refer to Checking for Updates on Windows Vista Manually blog article for help) or by visiting Microsoft Update. If you experience any problems with Microsoft Security updates then please call Microsoft support for help. There will be no charge for support on Security Updates.

Microsoft has set up newsgroups for self-support. If you need help for Security updates or any other updates that is issued by Microsoft then please visit the Windows Update newsgroup at using your newsreader news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate.

Version 1.4
Edited: May 10, 2012

Filed under Windows Vista, Windows Vista Updates Tagged with ,

Patch Tuesday – July 10, 2007

July 10, 2007 Leave a comment

Six security bulletins were released by Microsoft on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. 3 Critical Bulletins (MS07-036, MS07-039, and MS07-040), 2 Important Bulletins (MS07-037 and MS07-041), and 1 Moderate Bulletin (MS07-038) according to the July 2007 Bulletin Summary.

Critical Bulletins

MS07-036: Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution (936542)

Affected Software

  • Excel 2000 SP3 – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS07-044
    • Supersedes MS07-023
  • Excel XP SP3 – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS07-044
    • Supersedes MS07-023
  • Excel 2003 SP2 – Download Update
    • Superseded by Office 2003 SP3 and MS07-044
    • Supersedes MS07-023
  • Excel 2003 Viewer – Download Update
    • Superseded by Excel Viewer 2003 SP3 and MS07-044
    • Supersedes MS07-023
  • Excel 2007 – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS08-014
    • Supersedes MS07-023
  • Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS08-014
    • Supersedes MS07-023

MS07-039: Vulnerability in Windows Active Directory Could Allow Remote Code Execution (926122)

Affected Components

  • Windows 2000 Server SP4 – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS08-003
  • Windows Server 2003 SP1 – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS08-003
  • Windows Server 2003 SP2 – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS08-003
  • Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS08-003
  • Windows Server 2003 SP2 x64 Edition – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS08-003
  • Windows Server 2003 SP1 for Itanium-based Systems – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS08-003
  • Windows Server 2003 SP2 for Itanium-based Systems – Download Update
    • Superseded by MS08-003

MS07-040: Vulnerabilities in .NET Framework Could Allow Remote Code Execution (931212)

Affected Software

  • .NET Framework 1.0 SP3
  • .NET Framework 1.1 SP1
    • Windows 2000 SP4 – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows XP SP2 – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows XP SP2 – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows XP Professional x64 Edition – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows XP SP2 Professional x64 Edition – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows Server 2003 SP1 – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows Server 2003 SP2 – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows Server 2003 SP1 for Itanium-based Systems – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows Server 2003 SP2 for Itanium-based Systems – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows Server 2003 SP2 x64 Edition – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows Vista, x86 Editions – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows Vista SP1, x86 Editions – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows Vista SP1, x64 Editions – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
      • Supersedes MS05-004
    • Windows Server 2008 – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
    • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
    • Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition – Download Update
      • Superseded by MS09-061
  • NET Framework 2.0
    • Windows 2000 SP4 – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows XP SP2 – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows XP SP3 – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows XP Professional x64 Edition – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows XP SP2 Professional x64 Edition – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows Server 2003 SP1 – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows Server 2003 SP2 – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows Server 2003 SP1 for Itanium-based Systems – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows Server 2003 SP2 for Itanium-based Systems – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows Server 2003 SP2 x64 Edition – Download Update
      • Supersedes MS06-033 and MS06-056
    • Windows Vista, x86 Editions – Download Update
    • Windows Vista, x64 Editions – Download Update

Important Bulletins

MS07-037: Vulnerability in Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 Could Allow Remote Code Execution (936548)

Affected Software

MS07-041: Vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Information Services Could Allow Remote Code Execution (939373)

Affected Software

Moderate Bulletins

MS07-038: Vulnerability in Windows Vista Firewall Could Allow Information Disclosure (935807)

Affected Software

Important Reminder

Please keep your computer up to date with Critical and Important updates by visiting Microsoft Update. If you experience any problems with Microsoft Security updates then please call Microsoft support for help. There will be no charge for support on Security Updates.

Microsoft has set up newsgroups for self-support. If you need help for Security updates or any other updates that is issued by Microsoft then please visit the Windows Update newsgroup at using your newsreader news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate.

Version 2.3
Edited: May 10, 2012

Filed under MSFT Security Updates Tagged with ,

← Older posts