Start Menu - Recent files missing

[bonalymac]

Can anyone help here.

Vista Home Premium with all updates, and no virus/malware.

Noticed recently that the "Recent files" are missing from the Start Menu.

"Store & Display a list of recently opened Programs" IS selected in Customise, and No of progs to display is >0.

I've also tried re-setting the Customise options to default and still no luck

I'd welcome any suggestions.

Thanks

 

[richc46]

Welcome Try this
1. Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Taskbar and Start Menu.

2. Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.

3. In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, click Use Default Settings, and then click OK.

 

[bonalymac]

Thanks, but you'll see I've already done this (several times as it happens)

 

[Yard Dog]

I have been trying to duplicate this and i have right clicked the taskbar, then pressed properties, then i see a window, and it has a privacy box, and inside that i have both those boxes checked . Is this the area you are discussing ?

 

[richc46]

Download and try shadow explorer see if that helps.
http://www.shadowexplorer.com/

 

[bonalymac]

YardDog

Apols for delay in replying.but I'm in the UK so on a different time zone.

You are spot on. That's the area we are looking at. Or at least it is as far as I know. Not sure if there is anywhere else that controls the start menu, but here's what I am getting on my start menu.

I'm trying to work out if there is anything else to look at!

Colin

 

[bonalymac]

Richc46

I've just downloaded and installed ShadowCopy, but not sure what you mean me to do next.

Its not exactly great on help files, but it seems that the prog will let me restore from an older point in time. But in this case, I firstly don't know what file I'm looking for, and secondly there is obviously no new history, and the screen shows no old history.

It seems that according to the help file that ShadowCopyis set on, but I'm not sure it is in my case. I have System Restore turned off (I have my own automated back-ups for system & data, so don't need/want System Restore as well). I suspect this means that my ShadowCopy is off.

Colin

 

[richc46]

You should always leave system restrore on. Try this
They may have become hidden
Click on Start, then on Computer, then go into the C drive. Click to open. Go to program files, cick to get properties. Make sure that hidden files is not checked.

 

[bonalymac]

You should always leave system restrore on. Try this

I run Acronis when I need to install anything, other than that I can restore quite happily with what I have, so I don't see the point in duplicating it with System Restore. It also deletes as it fills up the disk, so you've no way to keep specific restore points. I have several different Acronis back-up versions depending on what state I want to restore back to.

Hidden & System Files are unfortunately both set to display, so it's not that. I suspect the easy thing will just be to restore one of my Acronis back-ups.

 

[Yard Dog]

Can anyone help here.

Vista Home Premium with all updates, and no virus/malware.

Noticed recently that the "Recent files" are missing from the Start Menu.

"Store & Display a list of recently opened Programs" IS selected in Customise, and No of progs to display is >0.

I've also tried re-setting the Customise options to default and still no luck

I'd welcome any suggestions.

Thanks

I wonder why this happened to start with, you apparently can fix this with a acronis back up , but, that still leaves the " why " did it happen to begin with factor .

 

[richc46]

With SR you restore only the Operating System. Your way everything will be changed. Files, prictues, doucments etc. I suggest that you keep SR on, but its your call.

 

[bonalymac]

Yeah that's really what I was trying to work out. I hate not knowing why things change

 

[bonalymac]

With SR you restore only the Operating System. Your way everything will be changed. Files, pictures, doucments etc. I suggest that you keep SR on, but its your call.

No. All documents, images, favourites, desktop etc are on Disks D, E, F etc which are different physical disks.

So C is reserved for the absolute minimum, and automated back-ups deal with stsem files settings files etc.

It does take a bit of work to set up, but it is worth it.

 

[richc46]

Read this first
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/72816-recent-items-list.html

 

[Yard Dog]

That is the box i was talking about , mine are checked. When i went to see why you did not have a recent files or programs list, this is what i meant when i asked if this is what we were discussing .

 

[bonalymac]

richc46

That got it.

Running Shell:recent and re-booting did the trick.

Still no idea why it was lost, and I would prefer to know why, but at least this has re-set it.

Thanks to all who replied for the help and detective work. It really is much appreciated.

Colin

 

[richc46]

We were glad to help, come back at any time.

TY for the rep, your generosity has given me a new badge.

 

[bonalymac]

TY for the rep, your generosity has given me a new badge.

No probs. Good boards such as this need to be encouraged. I consider myself reasonably competent, but when it comes to real details, i and others need the help of the experts.

So thanks to all you guys.