Paint - Delete Recent Pictures from List in Windows 7

How to Delete "Recent Pictures" from List in Windows 7 Paint

   Information

This will show you how to either delete all or specific Recent pictures from the file button -> New, Open, and Save drop down menus in Windows 7 Paint (mspaint) for your user account.

   Note

This can be handy if a recent file in the "Recent pictures" list is no longer available but still listed, or if you just wanted to clear the recent file history in your user account's Paint from any prying eyes.

EXAMPLE: "Recent Pictures" in Windows 7 Paint

 

OPTION ONE

---

To Delete Specific "Recent pictures" in Paint

1. In the Start Menu, type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

NOTE: Standard users will not be prompted for this.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

Code:

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

4. In the right pane of Recent File List, look for a listed File# string value that has the recent picture path that you wanted to delete. When found, right click on the File# (ex: File1), and click on Delete. (see screenshot above)

5. Click on Yes to appove deleting it. (see screenshot below)

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 if you would like to delete any other "Recent pictures" from the list in Paint.

7. When finished, close regedit.

8. If Paint is open, then close and reopen it to apply.

OPTION TWO

---

To Reset and Clear All "Recent pictures" in Paint with a REG File

1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Reset_and_Clear_Paint_Recent_Pictures_List.reg

2. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

3. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

4. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

5. If Paint is open, then close and reopen it to apply.

6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION THREE

---

To Reset and Clear All "Recent pictures" in Paint with a VBS File

1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Reset_and_Clear_Paint_Recent_Pictures_List.vbs

2. Click on Save, and save the .vbs file to the Desktop.

3. Double click on the downloaded .vbs file to run it.

4. If prompted, click on Run.

NOTE: If you like, unblock the .vbs file to no longer get the Run prompt.

5. If Paint is open, then close and reopen it to apply.

6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

That's it,