Microsoft Office Recently Used Files
Explains recent-file lists as automatic quick-access lists, distinguishes them from Favorites, and documents removal, clearing, count adjustment, and cross-device sync caveats.
What this source can teach
Use this source to understand a platform convention and the setting it was designed for.
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Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Favorites | Choose favorites when the main user intent is personal preference, affinity, or saved return access for known items. | Favoriting records a relationship between the user and the existing item without duplicating, moving, pinning, subscribing to, or changing the item. | Microsoft Office documents Favorites as distinct from automatic Recent files. |
| Pinned items | Choose pinned items when the user intentionally keeps a small set of known objects in a stable prominent position. | Pinning creates a durable placement or prominence record for the selected item without duplicating or changing the underlying item. | Microsoft Office recent-files guidance helps distinguish automatic recent lists from deliberate pinned or favorite access. |
| Recently used | Choose recently used when a meaningful use event should create a temporary return shortcut for the current user. | A qualifying use event writes or updates a recent-use entry for the current user and declared scope. | Microsoft Office documents recently used files with removal, clearing, count, sync, and Favorite distinctions. |
| Recently viewed | Choose recently viewed when the destination set should come from items the current user personally opened, not from editorial curation, hierarchy, popularity, or recommendation models. | Opening an item from the list navigates to that exact item and moves it to the top of the recent list. | Microsoft Office recent-files guidance distinguishes automatic recent lists from Favorites and includes removal, clearing, count, and sync behavior. |
Comparisons supported by this source
- Pinned items vs favorites vs recently viewed vs saved view
Microsoft Office guidance distinguishes automatic Recent lists from Favorites and related quick-access controls.
- Recently used vs recently viewed vs favorites vs pinned items
Microsoft Office documents recent-file lists as automatic quick-access lists with removal, clearing, count, and sync behavior.
- Recently viewed vs related links vs breadcrumbs
Microsoft Office distinguishes automatic Recent lists from Favorites and documents removal, clearing, count, and sync behavior.
Evidence Role
This source is treated as platform-guideline evidence. Its value comes from the specific claims and setting described above.
Publisher: Microsoft Support. Last checked: .