Files in Recent Documents folder not getting deleted

[Slickone]

Though my Start Menu's Recent Documents list only shows the 10 or however many its supposed to, I noticed in c:\documents and settings\myname\my recent documents, there were 140+ files. Why are there so many there and not only the same 10 ones that show up in the start menu's recent docs list (which get replaced as new documents are opened) like Windows usually does? Is this something new to XP? Is there any way I can limit this?

And for some reason, when I try to delete all these files, it takes a couple minutes (512MB RAM, Athlon XP 1400+, 7200RPM HDD).

 

[2z]

if you have Pro you can use gpedit but for home users its a reg hack;
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

Look in the left hand pane for these subkeys: Explorer, Network, Ratings, System, ActiveDesktop + WinOldApp. If they are not present, create them: right-click -> New -> Key -> Name it to one of the values listed above.
Now you need to create (or modify if already there) the following DWORD values listed further below under the subkeys above. To create a new DWORD value: right-click -> New -> DWORD -> name it to one of the values listed further below.
To modify one of these DWORD values: right-click on the one you want -> select Modify -> check the Decimal box -> give it a value of 1 (to disable access to a certain system feature/area), or a value of 0 (to enable access to a certain system feature/area).
These are the valid DWORD values (if not specified otherwise) you can change under the following subkeys:

NoRecentDocsHistory = enable/disable Recent Documents in Start Menu (Win98/ME/XP + IE4/IE5/IE6 ONLY)

 

[Slickone]

Hey thanks, but I don't want to remove the recent docs list, just have it act like Win9x. Please re-read my post. Does no one else's XP Pro act like this?

 

[2z]

no idea sorry the first thing I do is disable it
right click on your taskbar / properties / start menu / customize / advanced & you can clear the list from here