This wikiHow teaches you how to delete a computer's content history, which usually includes the list of recently opened files, searches performed, and autofill. You can perform this procedure on both Windows and Mac systems. To clear the history of internet content, you must delete the data stored in the browser using its configuration settings.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Clear Search History on Windows
Step 1. Select Cortana's search bar
It is located on the left side of the Windows taskbar, exactly to the right of the button that opens the "Start" menu. The Cortana window will appear.
If the search bar is not visible within the taskbar, select it with the right mouse button, choose the option Cortana, then select the item Show search bar.
Step 2. Choose the "Settings" option by clicking the icon
It's located on the left side of the Cortana window. The Windows virtual assistant configuration settings will be displayed.
Step 3. Scroll down the appeared list to locate and press the Clear Device History button
It is located within the "History" section. This will delete your search history.
Step 4. Choose the Search History Settings item
This link is located within the "Search History" section. This will take you to the Bing web page showing the complete list of all searches performed on the web through Bing.
If you are not connected to the web, you will not be able to access the indicated page
Step 5. Press the Change History Settings button
It's located at the top of the Bing page. A new menu will appear.
Step 6. Press the Clear All button
It is located within the "Clear Search History" section of the menu.
Step 7. Press the Yes button when prompted
This will completely erase your Cortana search history. Both the online and local files stored on your computer will be deleted.
Method 2 of 4: Clear the Windows File Explorer Window History
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Alternatively, you can press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard
Step 2. Open a new "File Explorer" window by clicking the icon
It features a small folder and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Go to the View tab
It is located in the upper left of the "File Explorer" window. The related toolbar will be displayed.
Step 4. Press the Options button
It features a Windows window icon on the right of the tab ribbon View.
Step 5. Go to the General tab
It is located in the upper left corner of the "Folder Options" window.
Step 6. Press the Delete button
It is located in the "Privacy" section visible at the bottom of the window. In this way the history of searches carried out in the "File Explorer" window will be deleted.
The folders and files that you manually added to the "Quick Access" section of the "File Explorer" window will not be removed
Step 7. Hide future searches from the "File Explorer" window
Uncheck the check buttons Show recently used files in Quick Access And Show recently used folders in Quick Access placed in the "Privacy" section. Although this is an optional step, it allows you to prevent items searched for in the "File Explorer" window from automatically appearing in the "Quick Access" section and in the search bar.
Step 8. Press the OK button
It is located at the bottom of the "Folder Options" window. The history of searches made with the "File Explorer" window should have been cleared correctly.
Method 3 of 4: Clear History of Recently Used Files and Apps on Mac
Step 1. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Choose the Recent Items option
It is located at the top of the "Apple" menu. A submenu will appear containing a list of all recently used files and apps.
Step 3. Select the Clear menu item
It is listed at the bottom of the menu that appeared. This will automatically delete the contents of the "Recent Items" menu.
Method 4 of 4: Clear Recently Used Folder History on Mac
Step 1. Open a Finder window by clicking the icon
Click the blue stylized face icon visible within the System Dock.
Alternatively, you can simply click on an empty spot on the desktop
Step 2. Enter the Go menu
It's one of the options in the Mac menu bar at the top of the screen. A new drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the Recent Folders option
It is one of the last items on the menu Go starting from the top. A submenu will appear, to the right of the first, showing a complete list of all recently used folders.
Step 4. Select the Clear menu item
It is listed at the bottom of the menu that appeared. This will automatically delete the contents of the "Recent Folders" menu.
