My Recent Documents History is Cleared / Deleted at Logoff - Start Menu

Windows XP My Recent Documents History located on the Start Menu is deleted when logging off an user account. The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account's settings. The Group Policy for Clear history of recently opened documents on exit will cause My Recent Documents History to be deleted when logging off an user account when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, My Recent Documents History being deleted at logoff can be enforced by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the My Recent Documents History being deleted at logoff then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.Otherwise there is a chance for encrypting or hacking the windows may also cause this problem

Manual Steps For Group Policy Editor

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
4. Double-click Clear history of recently opened documents on exit.
5. Select Not Configured.

*** If the My Recent Documents History being cleared (deleted) at logoff on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.***
Manual Steps For Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   Navigate to:HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
   Right-click ClearRecentDocsOnExit to select Modify.
4. Change the value to 0.
   Navigate to:HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
   Right-click ClearRecentDocsOnExit to select Modify.
5. Change the value to 0.
6. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

***You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***
Manual For Using REG ADD

1. Open a Command Window.
   Type:REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v ClearRecentDocsOnExit /t REG_DWORD /d 0
2. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   Type:REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v ClearRecentDocsOnExit /t REG_DWORD /d 0
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

*** You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***