The Most Frequently Used (MFU) list is the list of most frequently used programs that appears below the Pinned list on the Start menu.
This list keeps track of how often programs are used and displays them in order of most used (top) to least used (bottom).
This article describes how to display and clear the Most Frequently Used (MFU).

How To Display The Most Frequently Used List

The Most Frequently Used List

To Display the Most Frequently Used list, follow these steps:

1. Right-click Start, and then click Properties. Or, if the Start menu is already displayed, right-click an empty area of the Start menu, and then click Properties.

2. Click Customize.

3. Click the General tab.

4. Under Programs, click the counter to select how many program shortcuts, you want to appear on the Start menu, click OK, and then click OK.

Most Frequently Used

The Most Frequently Used List Settings

Your most recently used programs will now appear on the Start menu.

Note: that if you select ZERO as an option NO program shortcuts will appear in the Most Frequently Used list.

How To Clear The Most Frequently Used List

To Clear the Most Frequently Used list, follow these steps:

1. Right-click Start, and then click Properties. Or, if the Start menu is already displayed, right-click an empty area of the Start menu, and then click Properties.

2. Click Customize.

3. Click the General tab.

4. Under Programs, click the button marked Clear List, this will now clear the Start menu Most Frequently Used list, click OK, and then click OK.

Note: As you start using the your computer this list will populate again with your most recently used programs.

Note: that using the Clear List button does not delete the software from your hard disk.

Other "Most Frequently Used List" Topics

# If you are in a domain environment and wish to control access to the Start menu options you can do this by adding a Group Policy Object (GPO):

Policy Settings for the Start Menu in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292504

# You might also find this article on how to exclude programs from the MFU helpful:

http://www.theeldergeek.com/exclude_program_from_start_menu.htm

I hope you find this software helpful!

Kind Regards

SHERLOCK - The Codec Detective

Marc Liron - Bio
Microsoft Digital Media MVP
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This page was last updated 29th January 2006

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