View recently opened files from Windows Explorer or standard Open/Save dialog boxes, find out if they still exist, and remove unwanted filename entries.
- RecentFilesView
- Version :1.33
- License :Freeware
- OS :Windows All
- Publisher :Nir Sofer
📂 What is RecentFilesView by NirSoft?
RecentFilesView is a free, portable Windows utility by NirSoft that shows a list of recently opened files on your system — even if they’ve been deleted or moved. It reads the recent file history from various places in the Windows OS (like the “Recent” folder and registry entries), and displays:
- File name
- File path
- Last accessed time
- Open count (on some systems)
- File size
- Created/modified times
It’s a lightweight tool that’s useful for:
- Digital forensics
- File usage monitoring
- Retrieving lost files
- Parental control or admin auditing
✅ How to Use RecentFilesView (Step-by-Step)
🔹 Step 1: Download
- Go to the official NirSoft page:
👉 http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/recent_files_view.html - Scroll down and download:
Download RecentFilesView (32-bit)- or
Download RecentFilesView for x64if you’re on 64-bit Windows
- Unzip the downloaded
.zipfile using Windows or a tool like 7-Zip.
🔹 Step 2: Run the Program
- Double-click
RecentFilesView.exe. - The program launches immediately — no installation needed.
🔹 Step 3: View Recent File List
The main window displays a list of files recently opened or accessed, showing details like:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Filename | The name of the file accessed |
| Full Path | Full location of the file |
| Last Accessed | Date/time the file was last opened |
| Created/Modified Time | File metadata |
| File Size | Size in bytes |
| Entry Source | Indicates if info is from recent folder or registry |
🔹 Step 4: Filter, Export, or Search
- Search: Press
Ctrl + Fto search for a specific filename or folder. - Sort: Click column headers to sort by time, name, etc.
- Export:
- Select one or more rows.
- Press
Ctrl + Sto export to TXT, CSV, HTML, or XML.
- Command-line support: Use
/scomma,/shtml, etc., to automate exports (see documentation on site).
🧰 Advanced Options
- Options → Advanced Options…
Here, you can customize:- Time range
- Include/exclude system files
- Show network paths
- Load from external user profiles (useful for forensic work)
📌 Notes
- ✅ Portable – Doesn’t require installation or admin rights.
- 🔐 No malware – But some antivirus software may flag NirSoft tools as “PUPs” (false positives) because they can access system internals.
- 💾 Works on Windows XP through Windows 11.
🔐 Use Cases
| Use Case | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| 🔍 Recover deleted or moved files | See their original names and locations |
| 👀 Monitor user activity | View what files were accessed recently |
| 🧪 Forensics | Check for traces of opened documents |
| 🧹 Cleanup | Identify unused or orphaned shortcuts |