# Attention computer experts **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 16, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795 "2003-10-16T15:54:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![House](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90db22/32.png) [@House](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/House)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795/1 "2003-10-16T15:54:24Z")
I have windows xp and on my “Run” menu, it has a drop-down box with everything in it that I’ve typed in the past. Is there any way to clear everything out of there so it can be a little more efficient. I have no idea how to do it. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795/2 "2003-10-16T16:01:27Z")
Search Method: Google \> [“Windows XP” clear run history](http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22Windows+XP%22+clear+run+history) \> [Annoyances.org - Clear Unwanted Entries from the Start Menu’s Run …](http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article05-011&e=912) ---
**Author:** ![House](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90db22/32.png) [@House](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/House)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795/3 "2003-10-16T16:13:48Z")
When I click on the main result at “[annoyances.org](http://annoyances.org)”, it never comes up (It says "page cannot be displayed). The other results on google are links to software I can buy to do the trick. Isn’t there just a simple way to clear it and be done? ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795/4 "2003-10-16T16:25:03Z")
This is a problem you can search for very easily I was moreover just trying to give you a hint as to how you could search. Search Method 2: Google \>[site:www.microsoft.com “Windows XP” clear run menu history](http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=site:www%2Emicrosoft%2Ecom+site%3Awww%2Emicrosoft%2Ecom+%22Windows+XP%22+clear+run+menu+history) \> [Customizing Your PC with the Windows XP Registry](http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/honeycutt/02september16.asp&e=912) > [@](#): > > Clear History Lists > Ever wondered how to get rid of the different history lists that Windows XP keeps? The operating system keeps track of the programs you run using the Run dialog box, the documents you’ve opened, and the files for which you’ve searched. Sometimes clearing these lists is useful, particularly if you share an account with other users and want to prevent prying eyes from seeing what you’ve been doing. Listing 4 removes the most common history lists from the registry. Save it as the text file Cleanmru.reg and double-click the file to remove these lists. [Listing 4](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/honeycutt/listing4.asp) ---
**Author:** ![House](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90db22/32.png) [@House](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/House)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795/5 "2003-10-16T16:42:52Z")
OK, thanks for your help alterego. I appreciate it. I am computer-dumb. I have no idea how to do many things on a computer that most people probably find easy. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795/6 "2003-10-16T18:22:33Z")
Also, poke around [microsoft.com](http://microsoft.com) for “XP Power Toys” Find and install the program, and one one of the tabs is an option to clear the various histories (web, searches, documents, etc) at logoff. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2003, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795/7 "2003-10-16T21:37:08Z")
“I am computer-dumb. I have no idea how to do many things on a computer that most people probably find easy.” Under the start menu is the Support Center & it has answers to everything & then some 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![House](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90db22/32.png) [@House](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/House)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2003, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795/8 "2003-10-17T00:17:43Z")
OK, just to show you how stupid I really am… Now that I got home to take care of this, I have no clue what to do with “Listing 4” as mentioned above. I am to save it. I just right-clicked the link, saved it as Cleanmru.reg, double clicked it and it said “Cannot import…” then something about binary files… Plus I downloaded the power toys and it’s only wallpaper tools. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am an idiot. Signed, IHateComputers ---
**Author:** ![Verboten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Verboten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Verboten)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2003, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795/9 "2003-10-17T00:42:53Z")
[http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp) The specific utility you’re looking for is Tweak UI ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2003, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-computer-experts/207795/10 "2003-10-17T01:54:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Verboten \* > \*\*[http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp) > > The specific utility you’re looking for is Tweak UI \*\* Note regarding XP Powertoys … Don’t use them anywhere near water and batteries not included. 😃