PowerPoint Recently Used File List is Greyed Out

Can't Access Recently Used File List Options

Today I received an email from a reader asking how to restore the list of recently used files in his PowerPoint program. When he tries to restore this feature, the option is greyed out and inaccessible. So how do you fix this?

Access Recently Used File List - Step One

For PowerPoint 2007

Check to see if the option is available.

1. Click on the Office button.
2. Click the PowerPoint Options button.
3. Select Advanced on the left navigation list.
4. Under the Display section, there is an option for Show this number of recent files. Enter the number of recent files you would like to see. If the option is unavailable, proceed to Step Two below.

Related - Pin Important PowerPoint 2007 Presentations to the Recent Documents List

For PowerPoint 2003 (and earlier)

Check to see if the option is available.

1. Choose Tools > Options from the menu.
2. Select the General tab in the Options dialog box.
3. You should be able to add a check mark beside Recently used files and add the number of recently used files you would like to see in the list. If the option is greyed out, proceed to Step Two below.

Related - Add or Delete Entries in the Recently Used Files List

Recently Used File List is Greyed Out - Step Two

The probable cause for the recently used files option to be greyed out and inaccessible is an error in the Windows Registry of your computer.

Note - Making changes to the Windows Registry is not something you should try if you are unsure of what you are doing. Use the following information with caution.

The author takes no responsibility for any problems that may occur as a result of you making any changes to the Windows Registry of your computer.

1. Click on the Start menu and choose Run.
   
   
2. Type regedit in the text box and press the Enter key.
   
   
3. One step to safety is by first making a backup of the registry before making any changes.
   • Click on the highest level of the registry listing of file folders. This will make sure that you are backing up the complete registry.
     
     
   • Choose File > Export and save the registry file to your computer so that you can restore it later if need be. The file name will have a .REG extension once you save it.
   
   
4. Look for the following registry key.
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Policies > Explorer
   
   
5. Once there, double click on NoRecentDocsHistory and change the value to 0 (that is zero not O)
   
   
6. Save the changes. You may have to reboot.

For Reference - How to Restore the Windows Registry

Recently Used File List is Greyed Out - Step Three

If that does not work, it might be another program conflict. The program called TweakUI may be installed on your computer and options selected in this program may be causing the problem. This program is not supported by Microsoft. However, Microsoft has offered a possible solution to the problem of the recently used files being greyed out, that might have been caused by TweakUI.