Start Menu's Run command does not display previous commands

[Siimon H]

I have two boxes running XP SP2. On one of these, commands entered in the
"Open" box of the Start Menu's Run command are saved and can be scrolled
through even after a re-start or cold start. On the other one, the "Open"
box is always blank when the system boots. Is there a registry setting to
enable commands entered into the Open box to be saved to disk?

 

[nass]

I have two boxes running XP SP2. On one of these, commands entered in the
"Open" box of the Start Menu's Run command are saved and can be scrolled
through even after a re-start or cold start. On the other one, the "Open"
box is always blank when the system boots. Is there a registry setting to
enable commands entered into the Open box to be saved to disk?

Hi Simon, what happen if you right click the start Button and select
properties then click on Start Menu tab, click on Customize Button.
On the Customize Start Menu window click on Advanced Tab and make sure this
check box is selected:
[ ] List my most recently opened documents [ Clear List...]

NOTE: when you perform a clean up on your HDD or other Software you elected
to do so this list will disappear!.
HTH.
nass

 

[Siimon H]

Thanks, but checking that box has no effect on the behavior of the Run>Open
dialog.

Here are a few notes.

1. Although that box was previously unchecked, recent programs are listed
and updated on the Start Menu itself. It's only saving of the previous Run
commands that does not work.

2. If I attempt to scroll through previous Run commands, a blank list pops
up.

3. When I examined the "Customize Start Menu>Advanced" tab on the computer
that does save previous run commands, that tab has neither any text nor any
check box relating to "Recent Programs."

I would appreciate any thoughts you have. I can edit the registry if
necessary.
--
Simon H

I have two boxes running XP SP2. On one of these, commands entered in the
"Open" box of the Start Menu's Run command are saved and can be scrolled
through even after a re-start or cold start. On the other one, the "Open"
box is always blank when the system boots. Is there a registry setting to
enable commands entered into the Open box to be saved to disk?

Hi Simon, what happen if you right click the start Button and select
properties then click on Start Menu tab, click on Customize Button.
On the Customize Start Menu window click on Advanced Tab and make sure this
check box is selected:
[ ] List my most recently opened documents [ Clear List...]

NOTE: when you perform a clean up on your HDD or other Software you elected
to do so this list will disappear!.
HTH.
nass

 

[Brian A.]

I have two boxes running XP SP2. On one of these, commands entered in the
"Open" box of the Start Menu's Run command are saved and can be scrolled
through even after a re-start or cold start. On the other one, the "Open"
box is always blank when the system boots. Is there a registry setting to
enable commands entered into the Open box to be saved to disk?

See if the entries are in the registry are present and that there are also no
missing letters in-between in the list under the Name column. A reg search for
"runmru" will get you to the proper places.
hkcu\software\microsoft\windows\current version\explorer\runmru
hku\s-1-5-21-more numbers\software\microsoft\windows\current version\explorer\runmru

For other info that may help scroll down to run here:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_qr.htm

--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Siimon H]

Thanks for the input, Brian.

Here's the problem.

Entering an executable into the Open box of StartMenu>Run creates a correct
string value in each of the two registry keys that you refer to, and the
MRUList is updated to point to these entries. The entries appear in the
scroll window associated with the Open box.-However, these settings are not
saved when I shut down so that the MRUList is empty when I reboot.

Is there a registry key that contains values to indicate which settings are
to be saved on shut-down? Can you think of any other solution?

Thanks again.
Simon H

 

[Siimon H]

Brian,

Solved the problem.

In MS PowerToys' TweakUI, "Clear document history on exit" was checked.
After I unchecked it, the MRUs in the Start Menu>Run>Open box were saved on
shutting down.

- Simon

 

[Brian A.]

To funny, I had an inkling of history being cleared but wanted to see what you
found in the reg first before mentioning it. I don't know if that setting in TUI is
related to IE or not, but clearing history in IE will also wipe out the entries IIRC.

Glad to see you sorted it out, have fun and enjoy life to its fullest.

--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Start Menu RUN history (RunMRU) is cleared on every restart ?:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/runmru.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog


I have two boxes running XP SP2. On one of these, commands entered in the
"Open" box of the Start Menu's Run command are saved and can be scrolled
through even after a re-start or cold start. On the other one, the "Open"
box is always blank when the system boots. Is there a registry setting to
enable commands entered into the Open box to be saved to disk?

 

[Siimon H]

Brian -

Your tip aboout clearing history in IE may be very helplful. I also use
ccleaner, which is set to clear the IE history. That may explain why the Run
history disappeared again (and later re-appeared). I'll uncheck that
function of ccleaner and keep testing.

Thanks again.

- Simon

 

[Siimon H]

Thanksk Ramesh. Your posts here andin mvps.org are both on target and I wish
I had found then sooner.

As it happens, the key that you referred to in Policies>Explorer is now set
to 0, but it was probably reset to 0 when I unchecked the ClearHistoryOnExit
box in TweakUI. Following Brian's latest post, I will also be sure that
ccleaner does not clear the IE history.

Thanks again.

- Simon

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome Simon. And yes, the setting "Clear document history on exit" in TweakUI corresponds to registry value "ClearRecentDocsOnExit".

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Winhelponline.com blog http://www.winhelponline.com/blog


Thanksk Ramesh. Your posts here andin mvps.org are both on target and I wish
I had found then sooner.

As it happens, the key that you referred to in Policies>Explorer is now set
to 0, but it was probably reset to 0 when I unchecked the ClearHistoryOnExit
box in TweakUI. Following Brian's latest post, I will also be sure that
ccleaner does not clear the IE history.

Thanks again.

- Simon

 

[Brian A.]

You're welcome Simon, good luck and enjoy.

--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375