Unable to clear 'Recent Items' list in start menu

I've had this problem for a couple of months - no idea when it first happened but it certainly doesn't seem to have fixed itself with any recent Windows updates!

Quite simply - when I 'right click' on the recent items list on the start menu, there is no longer an option to clear the list. As such, I have a huge backlog of files ...

I know this is only an inconvenience, but has anyone else had this problem or know how to fix it?

 

Symptom

When you open the Windows Vista Start menu and right-click Recent Items, the option Clear Recent Items List may be missing. Also, the Recent folder may be displayed with a generic folder icon in Windows Explorer.
Resolution

This happens if the desktop.ini file in the Recent folder is deleted. Thanks & Credits to dean-dean for posting this solution in the Microsoft Newsgroup.

* Click Start, type "%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows" and press {ENTER}
* Right-click the folder named Recent, and choose Delete. Click Yes when prompted.
* Now, type the command "shell:recent" in Start - Search box, and press {ENTER}.

Logoff and login back. You should now see the context menu entry Clear Recent Items List when you right-click on the Recent Items folder in the Start menu..

 

Great! Thank you

 

More then welcome

 

Hi Thanks but I've 2 problems in this :

1. I dont find this file "%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows" when put in the search box.

2. I'm unable to delete the folder named Recent

That is why my prolem still remains - I still cannot get the option "Clear recent items list" when I right click on Recent Items.

Please help me!

 

Crap Cleaner can clean my start menu. However, I am using xp home, so it might not work for you.

 

Thanks I could solve the problem when I re did the same procedure advised by Black Russian

Finally I could see Clear recent items

Thanks