How To Clear The Contents Of The Windows Run Menu

When you click on the Start Button, you will see a Run Icon that opens a Menu when clicked on. This Run Menu lets you type the name of a program, folder, document or web site into the Open: field to have your input launched. For example, if you wanted to run Windows Explorer, you could type the word Explorer into the Open: field and hit the OK button. Window will then immediately launch the Windows Explorer for you.

Windows also keeps a running record of programs, folders, documents and Internet addresses that are launched through the Run Menu. Depending upon how often you use the Run Menu to launch programs, this Menu listing can become rather lengthy and leave behind traces of web sites you recently visited. Therefore, this technical brief will show you how to clear the contents of this Run Menu.




For Windows XP

Begin by first clicking on the Start Button.

Then click on the Control Panel icon located in the right column of the Start Menu.

Now click on the Taskbar and Start Menu icon to display its Menu Properties Window.

If your Start Menu is set to the Classic View, then begin by clicking on the Start Button.

Then click on Settings, then click on the Taskbar and Start Menu icon to display its Properties.

Now, click on the Start Menu Tab at the top of the screen.

Then click on the Customize button at the bottom right hand side of the screen.

Now click on the Clear button located on the right hand center of the screen.

Notice how the Clear button shades gray denoting that the documents menu is now cleared.

This will also clear all recently accessed documents, programs and websites.

Now click the OK button at the bottom of the screen to close the Start Menu Window.

Then click the OK button at the bottom of the screen to close the Taskbar Properties Window.

Then Reboot your computer for the changes to take full effect.

For Windows 98 And Windows Millennium

Begin by first clicking on the Start Button.

Then click on Settings and then click on the Taskbar and Start Menu icon.

This will open up the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Window.

For Windows 98, click on the Start Menu Programs Tab at the top of the screen.

For Windows Millennium, click on the Advanced Tab at the top of the screen.

Now click on the Clear button located on the lower right hand side of the screen.

Notice how the Clear button shades gray denoting that the documents menu is now cleared.

Therefore, your recently accessed documents, programs and websites are now cleared.

Now click the OK button at the bottom of the screen to close the Taskbar Properties Window.

Then Reboot your computer for the changes to take full effect.