If the “Show recently used files in Quick Access” option gets unchecked automatically in Folder Options, this is caused by a Start menu Personalize setting.
Solution
Right-click Desktop, and choose Personalize
Click Start and enable the following option:
Windows 10:
Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar and in File Explorer Quick access
Windows 11:
Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer
If the above option is disabled, the “Show recently used files in Quick Access” option is automatically disabled.
(Credits to poster lost_packet @ ArsTechnica)
More Information
“Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar” setting is stored in the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Value: Start_TrackDocs
Data: 1 or 0
“Show recently used files in Quick Access” is stored in this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Value: ShowRecent
Data: 1 or 0
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Thank you! I thought it had been disabled by group policy but I was wrong. This solution worked for me. Many thanks!
thanks a ton Ramesh
big thanks