Prevent Windows Media Player 8.0 from Maintaining a Recent-files List
By: Arie SlobWindows Media Player's (WMP) file menu shows a list with the most recetly played files. To prevent WMP 8.0 (and later) from maintaining this list:
- Start the Registry Editor
- Select the HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ MediaPlayer \ Preferences key
- From the menu select Edit > New > Binary Value
- Name the new value AddToMRU
- Right-click the AddToMRU value and choose Modify
- In the Value Data: box enter 00
- Exit the registry editor
To reverse, just delete the new AddToMRU value (or set the value to 01).
Note: To clear current entries from the most recently played files list, delete the registry subkey HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ MediaPlayer \ Player \ RecentFileList (see picture below)
To clear streamed media entries, delete the registry subkey HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ MediaPlayer \ Player \ RecentURLList
