Where is the "frequently used program list"

[Howard]

Mine has disappeared. The space is there and I can
adjust it. But, no shortcuts are ever displayed.
It has not been turned off in the startup menu policy.
The programs are not blocked in the registry. Is the
list maintained in a folder like the "My Recent
Documents" list?

 

[Kelly]

Hi Howard,

I know you said there wasn't a policy set against it, but run the edit just
in case. It covers both Local_Machine and Current_User.

Restore Most Frequently Used Program List (Line 133)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Another option would be to check the number of programs to be listed: Right
click the Start button/Properties/Customize/Number of Programs...

The settings are also listed here: Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Advanced. In the right pane, check the Value Data under
Start_MinMFU.

Frequently Used Programs Not Automatically Added to Start Menu
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q282/0/66.asp

/top10faqs.htm

 

[Chris]

You can find the list is under Documents and Settings,
Owner, My Recent Documents (it's a hidden file).

I have related issue. After installing Win XP SP1A and
various recent patches (e.g. MS Blaster) it seems the "My
Recent Documents" list is randomly emptied. The
shortcuts appear for a time, then sometimes during the
same session disappear, sometimes disappear after
reboot.

Recently upgraded hard drive and in process completely
reinstalled Win XP and Win XP SP1A and all apps. Issue
still occurs. I have Norton Systemworks 2003 installed,
suspecting perhaps it's the Fast & Safe Cleanup program,
but even when I don't use Fast & Safe Cleanup, the
shortcuts get emptied by themselves...BTW, the docs
are .doc, xls, .txt, .jpg, etc.

 

[Sharon F]

You can find the list is under Documents and Settings,
Owner, My Recent Documents (it's a hidden file).

I have related issue. After installing Win XP SP1A and
various recent patches (e.g. MS Blaster) it seems the "My
Recent Documents" list is randomly emptied. The
shortcuts appear for a time, then sometimes during the
same session disappear, sometimes disappear after
reboot.

Recently upgraded hard drive and in process completely
reinstalled Win XP and Win XP SP1A and all apps. Issue
still occurs. I have Norton Systemworks 2003 installed,
suspecting perhaps it's the Fast & Safe Cleanup program,
but even when I don't use Fast & Safe Cleanup, the
shortcuts get emptied by themselves...BTW, the docs
are .doc, xls, .txt, .jpg, etc.

Do you use any programs that clear your browser history periodically?
Recent Documents is hooked into the IE history tracking.