Clear recent items list

[Robert]

Hi,

It's easy to set options to show/not show or to clear the recent items list
in Word, etc. But how do I do that in Publisher 2007, please?

Thanks,

Robert

 

[Mary Sauer]

I suspect it would take a registry fix. I'm not sure how many recent open
publications is the default. In the registry it appears to be 9.

 

[Robert]

Hi Mary,
Yes, it is nine. Where in the registry is that located, please?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Mary Sauer]

It is here
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Publisher\Recent File List

 

[Robert]

Hi Mary,

Easy to find! Easy to delete recent history. I'm not seeing how I can
change the default from 9 to 0.

Robert

 

[Mary Sauer]

I don't know either, maybe Ed Bennett can figure it out. I notice the Word
registry has an entry that is linked with the Word program. When one changes the
number in Word it changes in the registry. Publisher doesn't have this option.
Publisher is a step-child.

 

[Robert]

I'll look for the Word registry entry. My guess yesterday was that a new
entry might need to be created, but on the other hand, if 9 recent items is
the default that must be listed somewhere. Controlled by Word? Maybe. I'll
try that. Thanks for all the help, Mary!!!

 

[Robert]

Word has this entry: dword named max display. That's the way Word does it.
Dont' know if that addition will override where that 9 is coming from, but
I'll try it.

Robert

 

[Robert]

Hi Mary,

I added a Dword 32 bit entry called Max Display and gave it a value of 0.
Problem solved! Thanks for the lead to solve the problem. Have a great
weekend!

Robert

 

[Mary Sauer]

Are you saying you now have no recent items list? I'll have to try it.

 

[Robert]

Well, that was my hope, but when I opened some files they were there again in
the MRU list. The registry added the space for 9 entries, so the secret is
still hidden from me. I don't see the solution in any of the publisher
registry entries. Oh, well. I'll keep looking and maybe someone watching
this will have the answer.

Robert

 

[Robert]

I've tried adding an entry with no luck. I deleted the most recent files
key. The registry re-installed it on its own with the space for 9 recent
files. Don't know what else to do at this point. Interesting that the
registry would "fix" itself. Only when you don't want it to do that!

 

[Mary Sauer]

Some versions of Publisher have in the Recent File List: All with 4 zeros have 4
Recent files.

Binary Value Data {Publisher 2003}
0000

Binary Value Data {Publisher 2000}
0000

Binary Value Data {Publisher 98}
0000

Publisher 2007 Binary Value Data is altogether different
0000 00 00

Is this helpful?

 

[Robert]

Thanks, John. Definitely sounds easier. I hoped someone would have an easy
answer. Even Microsoft sends you to the registry to clear the list and
states that it will re-create itself the next time you open Publisher. Dumb.

Robert

 

[Robert]

Hi Mary, I really don't know a thing about programming or what any of this
stuff means if it's not in plain English. I've discovered that Publisher
2007 doesn't have a feature that should be included in the options. I don't
know what Microsoft is thinking.

I'm going to just delete the registry key occassionally.

Thanks for the help and the interest!

Robert