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  • #2196655

    why is my WinXP Run – Open drop-down list always empty?

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    by jadavis9 ·

    For some weird reason, and I have probably caused this, all of a sudden my Open drop-down list in Run is always empty after restarting my pc, even after I have run something like msconfig. I do have cCleaner, but I don’t run it at startup and I don’t have it checked on the Windows tab under Windows Explorer in the Run (in Start Menu)

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    • #3039959

      Clarifications

      by jadavis9 ·

      In reply to why is my WinXP Run – Open drop-down list always empty?

      Clarifications

    • #3039939

      It will be based on…

      by dawgit ·

      In reply to why is my WinXP Run – Open drop-down list always empty?

      What you last typed in.
      It starts blank, until you start typing something in, then it populates the space based on what was last entered.
      Does that help you any?

      • #2860547

        when I click the Open drop down …

        by jadavis9 ·

        In reply to It will be based on…

        It pops open a big empty box always. I do see some things if I start typing something in. But shouldn’t it save a list in the Open drop down box?

        • #2860524

          no…

          by dawgit ·

          In reply to when I click the Open drop down …

          I understand what you’re saying and meaning with that, but for some reason the ‘Run’ box doesn’t work that way. It hasn’t changed any in a while either. It is a curious feature, and frustrating at times as well.
          As long as you figured out how to get what you need out of it, that’s the main thing. -d

    • #3040585

      Something happening in the background?

      by wesley.chin ·

      In reply to why is my WinXP Run – Open drop-down list always empty?

      Is task scheduler used to trigger programs after hours? If so, what kind of tasks? Check them, one of those tasks may be the culprit. I have run into some programs that will cleanup the MRU list, including what you mentioned.

    • #2860537

      My ex

      by santeewelding ·

      In reply to why is my WinXP Run – Open drop-down list always empty?

      Used to smile at me and say, “It’s easier if you do it for me.”

    • #2860492

      It could be set to automatically clear.

      by captbilly1eye ·

      In reply to why is my WinXP Run – Open drop-down list always empty?

      There are a myriad of tweaking utilities that include options to “Clear History on Shutdown.”

      Using Registry cleaners or tools like CCleaner will also clear the Run history.

      If you want to have Windows retain a history of what you type into the Run line, here is a quick Registry edit that will set that up:

      1. Go to the following location in the Registry Editor (regedit): HKEY_CURRENT_USER → Software → Microsoft → Windows → CurrentVersion → Policies → Explorer.
      2. On the right hand side panel look for ClearRecentDocsOnExit.
      3. double click on ClearRecentDocsOnExit and type in its value as 0 and make sure Hexadecimal is selected. (removing the key ClearRecentDocsOnExit will accomplish the same thing)
      4. Then just click on OK and close the Registry Editor.

      setting the value to 1 will cause Run History to be removed with each shutdown.

      If you find the key is missing, you can create it by right-clicking and selecting New > DWORD Value. Give it the name ClearRecentDocsOnExit. Be sure to spell it exactly that way. Then double click on it to edit the value to 1 to remove history or 0 to retain history. Put a dot in front of Hexadecimal and click OK

      I hope this helps.

      • #2860491

        I recognize that one

        by santeewelding ·

        In reply to It could be set to automatically clear.

        It’s what regulates plate tectonics.

        Are you sure — in the name of all the rest of us — you want to empower him so?

        • #2860489

          You may be right…

          by captbilly1eye ·

          In reply to I recognize that one

          Perhaps I should’ve included the warning:

          WARNING:
          Changes made to the Windows registry happen immediately, and no backup is automatically made. Do not edit the Windows registry unless you are confident about doing so.

          Microsoft has issued the following warning with respect to the Registry Editor:

          “Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to re-install Windows to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.”

          oooops…. too late. ]:)

        • #2860488

          After fiddling in the registry

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to You may be right…

          upon exploration of my first Windows computer, I discovered much to my horror that I had fooked things right up. :^0
          Exactly the point at which:
          A) I determined to master the damned thing, and
          B) I learned to backup the registry. A thing I do every other month or so now.

      • #2860389

        don’t find ClearRecentDocsOnExit

        by jadavis9 ·

        In reply to It could be set to automatically clear.

        I only see (Default) and NoDriveTypeAutoRun on the right in that section. But I’ll bet that I have been clearing it with regular use of cCleaner or infrequent use of Registry Clean Expert (I know … many of you will say I should not run this type program – so I won’t)

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