ACC2000: How to Remove the Most Recently Used (MRU) Files List

ID: Q208719

The information in this article applies to:
This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and a Microsoft Access project (.adp).

Advanced: Requires expert coding, interoperability, and multiuser skills.

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SUMMARY

The most recently used (MRU) file list is the list of the last database files that were opened in Microsoft Access. This list appears in the Microsoft Access startup dialog box (9 files) and at the bottom of the Microsoft Access File menu (4 files). You can remove the names of these last opened database files by editing the registry.


MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).
In versions earlier than to Access 97, the MRU list was stored by user in the workgroup information file. This list is now stored in the registry.

To remove the file names from the MRU list, follow these steps:

  1. In the Registry Editor (regedit.exe), browse to the following registry key:


    2. 
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Access\Settings
  2. Double-click the appropriate Value name from MRU1 through MRU9.


  3. Delete the string that appears in the Value data box.


  4. Click OK.


  5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for all the MRU file names that you want to remove.


  6. Close the Registry Editor and open Access.


The startup screen and File menu no longer display the MRU file name(s) that you edited in the registry. This does not permanently remove the MRU list, however. The next time you open a database, the database file name will be added to the list.

Additional query words: custom options stored 


Keywords          : kbui kbdta UifOthr 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999