Delete Run History in Windows 10: Step-by-Step

This guide shows you how to clear the list of commands and programs that appear when you open the Run dialog box (Win+R) in Windows 10. This list is stored per-user, so you can remove it without affecting other accounts. You don’t need any special tools—everything is done through built-in Windows settings or the Registry Editor.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC with an account that has administrative privileges (for the Registry method).
No third-party software required.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Settings (Easiest)

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Click Personalization.
Select Start from the left sidebar.
Scroll down and toggle Off the switch under Show recently opened items in Jump Lists, Start, and taskbar. This clears the Run history and also stops new entries from being added.
If you want to keep that feature but just clear the current history, toggle it off, wait a few seconds, then toggle it back on. This works because the history is purged when the setting is disabled.

Method 2: Using Registry Editor (More Control)

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
Navigate to the following path (you can copy and paste it into the address bar):
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU
In the right pane, you’ll see a list of values named a, b, c, etc., and a default value. Each one represents a command you’ve typed into Run.
To delete individual entries, right-click the value (e.g., a) and select Delete. Confirm with Yes.
To clear everything, you can delete all values except the default (which is usually empty). Alternatively, you can delete the entire RunMRU key, but Windows will recreate it the next time you use Run. To do that, right-click RunMRU in the left pane and choose Delete.
Close Registry Editor and restart your computer (or just log off and back on) for changes to take effect.

Method 3: Using Task Manager (Temporary)

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click File in the top-left corner and select Run new task.
Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor (if you want to follow Method 2).
This method doesn’t directly clear the history, but it’s a quick way to access the registry if the Run dialog itself is not working.

Common Mistakes

Deleting the wrong registry key: Make sure you’re in the RunMRU key under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, not under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (which affects all users).
Not restarting: The change may not appear immediately. Always restart Explorer (via Task Manager) or reboot.
Toggling the Settings switch off and on too quickly: If you toggle it off and immediately on, the history might not be cleared. Wait a few seconds or restart the Start menu.
Deleting the default value: The default value in the RunMRU key is usually empty; deleting it is harmless, but it’s safer to leave it.

Tips

If you often want to keep your Run history private, consider using the Settings toggle to disable it permanently.
You can also clear the Run history by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Shut down or sign out > Sign out, then signing back in. This refreshes the session and often clears the history if the setting is off.
For a quick one-off clear, use the Registry method and delete only the entries you want to remove.
If you use the Run dialog frequently, consider using PowerShell or Command Prompt instead—they don’t store a history by default.

Troubleshooting

Run history still shows after following the steps:

Make sure you’ve restarted Windows Explorer. Open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer in the list, right-click it, and select Restart.
Check if you have a group policy that re-adds entries. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc (Pro/Enterprise only), and navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar. Look for a policy called Remove Run menu from Start Menu. If it’s enabled, it might interfere. Set it to Not Configured.
If you’re using a Microsoft account, the history might sync across devices. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings and turn off Other Windows settings.

Registry Editor won’t open:

If regedit is blocked by your administrator, you can use the Settings method instead.
Alternatively, create a text file with the following content, save it as clear_run_history.bat, and run it as administrator:
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU" /f

Run history reappears after a while:

This usually means the Settings toggle is on. Turn it off permanently if you don’t want the history recorded.
Some third-party utilities or scripts might be adding entries. Check your startup programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing Run history affect my recent files in File Explorer?

No. The Run history only stores commands typed into the Run dialog. Recent files in File Explorer are managed separately under Quick Access.

Can I recover a deleted Run history entry?

Once deleted, it’s gone. There’s no built-in recovery. You could use a registry backup if you made one before deleting, but that’s not typical.

Why does the Run history show commands I never typed?

Sometimes Windows or installed programs add entries automatically. For example, some settings or system tools may use the Run dialog in the background. You can safely delete them.

Will clearing the Run history speed up my PC?

No noticeable performance impact. It’s mainly a privacy or organizational benefit.

Can I clear the Run history for another user account?

Yes, but you need to load that user’s registry hive in Registry Editor. That’s an advanced process; it’s easier to log into that account and follow the same steps.

Does the Run history sync across devices?

If you use a Microsoft account and have sync enabled for Windows settings, it can sync. Turn off sync for Windows settings to prevent that.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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