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Frustrated by 7-Zip’s Persistent History? What’s the Secret Solution to Remove It for Good?
7-Zip is a widely respected open-source archiving tool, known for its robust features and the popular 7Z file format. However, one persistent and frustrating issue remains: 7-Zip stores a detailed history of files and folders you’ve accessed, and there is no built-in option to clear this history. This can be a privacy concern for many users.
Despite years of user requests, the developers have not addressed this issue directly. Fortunately, there is a reliable workaround using the Windows Registry Editor. Follow these clear steps to remove your 7-Zip history and prevent it from being stored in the future.
Why Is This Important?
- Protects your privacy by erasing traces of previously accessed files and folders.
- Prevents others from viewing your activity within 7-Zip.
- Offers a workaround for a long-standing limitation in 7-Zip.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Delete 7-Zip History
Before making changes, always back up your registry to avoid accidental system issues.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
- Navigate to the Following Registry Keys:
- HKCU\Software\7-Zip\Compression\ArcHistory
- HKCU\Software\7-Zip\Extraction\PathHistory
- HKCU\Software\7-Zip\FM (look for CopyHistory and FolderHistory values)
- For each location above, right-click and delete the relevant history entries or values.
- Right-click the folder (key) for each path.
- Select “Permissions.”
- Remove all existing permissions.
- Add a new entry for “Everyone” and set it to “Deny” all permissions.
Key Points to Remember
- These steps will erase your 7-Zip file and folder history and block the software from storing new history entries.
- Always proceed with caution when editing the Windows Registry.
- This workaround is currently the only effective method, as 7-Zip lacks a built-in history deletion feature.
It’s disappointing that such a basic privacy feature is still missing from 7-Zip after so many years. Until the developers address this negative aspect, this registry method remains your best option to protect your privacy and keep your usage history clean.