The Case of the Disappearing MRU File List

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 2, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


The Most Recently Used (MRU) file list in Word is very handy for quickly selecting and opening files you previously worked on. If you start Word and notice that the MRU list is gone, you can check to see if the option is still turned on. You do this by choosing Tools | Options | General, and then making sure that the Recently Used Files List option is selected.

Some people may notice that the Recently Used Files List option is not even available on their systems, however. If it is greyed out on your system, it is probably because you have the Tweak UI tool installed. Certain settings in this tool can override the MRU setting in Word, as described here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q284896

To correct the situation, follow these steps:

  1. Start Tweak UI.
  2. Make sure the Internet Explorer (IE) tab is selected.
  3. Make sure the Add New Documents to Documents on Start Menu check box is selected.
  4. Close Tweak UI.
  5. Restart Word.

You should now be able to access the Recently Used Files List option in the Word.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1724) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Determining the Current Directory

When you use a macro to do file operations, it works (by default) within the current directory. If you want to know which ...

Discover More

Entering Characters with Diacritical Marks

Entering characters that use diacritical marks is easy as pie in Word and some other programs. Not so in Excel, it takes ...

Discover More

Using AutoFiltering

Excel's AutoFilter tool is a great way to make a long list of items much more manageable. This tip explains how to set up ...

Discover More

The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2019. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2019 For Dummies today!

More WordTips (menu)

Delays when Double-Clicking a Document Icon

Do you notice delays when you double-click a document icon, perhaps on your desktop? If you are confused by such delays ...

Discover More

Specifying a Location To Save Automatic Backup Files

When Word creates automatic backups of your documents, you may not like where Word stores them. This naturally leads to ...

Discover More

Getting Rid of Hidden Text in Many Files

Hidden text is a great boon if you want to make sure something doesn't show up on the screen or on a printout. If you ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four less than 6?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.