Quick Guide- How to View and Check Recently Accessed Files on Windows 10

How to Check Recently Accessed Files in Windows 10

In the digital age, it’s essential to keep track of the files you access regularly. Whether you’re a professional or a casual user, being able to quickly find the files you’ve recently worked on can save you time and increase productivity. Windows 10 offers a built-in feature that allows you to view your recently accessed files with ease. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to check recently accessed files in Windows 10.

Using the File Explorer

One of the simplest ways to view recently accessed files in Windows 10 is by using the File Explorer. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Click on the “Start” button and then click on “File Explorer” to open it.
2. Once the File Explorer is open, click on the “View” tab at the top of the window.
3. In the “Layout” group, click on the “Details” option. This will display additional information about each file, including the date and time it was last accessed.
4. To see a list of recently accessed files, scroll down through the files in the File Explorer window. The files that have been accessed most recently will appear at the top.

Using the Quick Access Folder

Another method to check recently accessed files in Windows 10 is by using the Quick Access folder. This feature provides a convenient way to access your most frequently used files and folders. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the File Explorer by clicking on the “Start” button and selecting “File Explorer.”
2. In the left-hand pane, you will see a section called “Quick Access.” This section displays your recently accessed files and folders.
3. Click on the “Show all folders” option to expand the Quick Access folder and view all recently accessed files.

Using the Command Prompt

For users who prefer the command line interface, you can also check recently accessed files in Windows 10 using the Command Prompt. Here’s how:

1. Press the “Windows” key and type “cmd” in the search bar. Then, right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
dir /od
“`
3. This command will display a list of files in the current directory, sorted by the date and time they were last accessed.

Using PowerShell

PowerShell is another command-line tool that can be used to check recently accessed files in Windows 10. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the “Windows” key and type “powershell” in the search bar. Then, right-click on “Windows PowerShell” and select “Run as administrator.”
2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
Get-ChildItem -Path “C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent” -Recurse | Sort-Object LastWriteTime -Descending
“`
Replace “[YourUsername]” with your actual username.
3. This command will display a list of recently accessed files in the “Recent” folder.

In conclusion, there are several methods to check recently accessed files in Windows 10. Whether you prefer using the File Explorer, Quick Access folder, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, these steps will help you stay organized and find the files you need quickly.