How to Clear Activity History in Windows 11
Clearing your activity history in Windows 11 removes the local record of applications you have used and files you have viewed.
Open Settings by pressing Win+I, navigate to Privacy & security, click Activity history, and then select the Clear button. This removes your local activity log.
Why Clear Activity History?
Clearing your activity history protects your privacy by removing records of the apps you use and files you open.
What Happens When You Clear History?
When you clear your history, Windows removes the local record of your recent activities. This action will reset suggestions in your Start menu or search bar . This action does not uninstall apps or delete personal files; it only removes the log of recent interactions.
Browser History vs. Windows Activity History
Browser history tracks the websites you visit in Chrome or Edge, while Windows activity history records the broader applications and files you open on your computer. Clearing one leaves the other intact, meaning browser caches and cookies must be cleared inside your web browser.
How to Clear Activity History in 🪟 Windows 11
Clearing your activity history in Windows 11 is a process available through the Settings app. Here’s how: 1. Press Win+I to open Settings. 2. Select Privacy & security from the left menu. 3. Click Activity history. 4. Click Clear next to ‘Clear activity history for this account’.
1. Press Win+I to open Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & security in the left-hand menu.
3. Click the Activity history tile.
4. Find 'Clear activity history for this account' and click Clear.
If you are on a managed work or school computer, some settings may be locked by your administrator.
Managing Cloud Data via Microsoft Privacy Dashboard
If you sign in with a Microsoft account, some activity data might be sent to and saved online. To remove this data, visit the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard. Once signed in, navigate to the App and Services activity section to clear your cloud-stored data permanently.
Summary
Wiping local logs through Settings provides a quick privacy boost for shared computers or personal setups alike.
Was this guide helpful?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!