2 Steps to clear out recently used files

You may run into a situation where you need to reset the recently used files back to the way they were when you first launched Revit.   

In case you need to do this, you can do two things: 

1. You can edit the Revit.ini file that is located in C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit Architecture 2011\Program and remove the section for [Recent File List].  This will remove the recently used files from the Application menu (the big R in the upper left corner), but will not remove the files from the start page.
2. Delete the Revit.ini file completely (or simply rename it).  This will reset Revit 2011 and reset all the recently used files lists, including the start page.  It will, however, also delete your path information for templates and families as well as a lot of other settings.  You can repopulate the INI file with your information after you have opened Revit once and closed it, so it is a good idea to rename the INI file and not just delete it.  Launching Revit after you rename or delete the file rebuilds the INI from scratch and then you can add anything back into it to get it back into the state you need it.  Anything but deleting the INI will not clear out the Start Page recent files.  Use this with caution. 

Let me know if you have had to recent your recent files lists for any reason.  I'd be interested to hear why you needed to clear the slate so to speak. 

Comments

[Dennis Nelson]

I had posted this same question to AUGI about a month ago. The reason I need to delete the most recent list is that when I work out of the office on my laptop, Revit will take for ever to load. It was also taking a long time to bring up the "R" when I clicked on it. The reason was it was trying to find all recent documents on our network drives, which were connected any more. After clearing the list things were back to normal.

[Rob]

This is helpful when developing training videos to maintain consistency in the screen views, particularly when taking a break in the middle of developing a lesson to work on another project. Not too happy about losing paths though. Is it okay to "swap" INI files? I.E., keep a default one with default recents + custom paths, and use this to replace the current one when I need to revert?

[Rob]

Update... I moved the INI file and restarted Revit (a couple times) and noticed no new INI file in the ...\program folder, but all recents files were definitely cleared out. I then opened the original INI file I had moved, cleared out the recent files, saved it, and returned it to the ...\program folder. I then relaunched Revit, and all recent file history was still absent as in the previous load, including the recents page, but all paths and other settings were back intact.