A MRU file represents a file that you recently opened within a particular Windows program. This type of file does not have a unique extension applied to it, but rather has the extension assigned to it by the program that created it. For example, all MRU files in Word have the extension .doc or .docx. The list or MRU files is updated in real time as you interact with different documents.
Most Recently Used
- The MRU file extension stands for "Most Recently Used." As the name suggests, these files are comprised of those files that you most recently interacted with in a particular program. For example, if you are working in Microsoft Word, the MRU file list will be comprised of the last several documents that you opened and/or edited in Word.
Programs
- MRU files are used with more than one Microsoft program. The file extension is associated with Office programs, including Word, Access and Excel. A list of MRU files is automatically generated and changes as you use different files within the program. By default, Microsoft Office programs will save four MRU files at once, unless you personalize your settings to allow more or fewer MRU files. The most recently used files are visible by clicking on the Microsoft icon in the top left corner of your program window.
MRU Settings
- If you want to keep track of more or fewer MRU files at once, the "Options" menu within your Microsoft Office program affords you the ability to do so. The "Options" menu is accessed by clicking on the Microsoft icon in the top left corner of your program and choosing "[Program Name] Options." After you go to the "Advanced" option, use the up and down arrows next to "Show this number of Recent Documents" to change the number of MRU files shown.
Deleting MRU Files
- To remove MRU files, select "0" as the number of recent files that you want to be displayed. If you want to permanently delete the list from your computer, you must clear the MRUs from the registry. After clicking on the "Start" button on your computer desktop and selecting "Run," type "regedit" into the "Open" field and choose "OK." Search for "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\13.0\Common\Open Find" for Microsoft Office 2010 programs; substitute "12.0" for "13.0" if you have Microsoft Office 2007. Click "Settings" next to the program for which you want to remove MRU and delete the value entry next to "File Name MRU."
