Windows 11 File explorer home page recent file activity listing multiple files

Clear File Explorer’s Recent history and restart Windows Explorer; this rebuilds the Home list without deleting the underlying files.

Rebuild the Recent list

1. Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
2. Select the three dots (…) on the command bar, then select Options.
3. On the General tab, find Privacy.
4. Leave Show recently used files in Home selected.
5. Next to Clear File Explorer history, select Clear.
6. Select Apply, then OK.
7. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
8. Find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and select Restart.
9. Reopen File Explorer → Home. The Recent section will initially be empty and should repopulate with single entries as files are opened. ^1^

Do not delete the repeated entries until checking their locations. Home can surface recent files from both the PC and cloud accounts, so similarly named entries could point to different locations rather than being duplicate files. ^2^

If duplicates return

• Compare their locations: Right-click each listing and select Open file location or Properties. Check whether one is local and another is under OneDrive or another synchronized folder.
• Temporarily exclude account-based results: Open File Explorer → three dots (…) → Options → General → Privacy, then adjust Include account-based insights, recent, favorite, and recommended files if that option appears. ^3^
• Test another Windows account: If identical entries with identical paths keep returning, create or use a temporary local Windows account and inspect File Explorer → Home there. If that account is unaffected, the problem is associated with the original user profile’s Explorer configuration rather than the files themselves. This profile-isolation check is recommended when an Explorer display problem persists after resetting and restarting Explorer. ^4^

As a temporary workaround, File Explorer can open directly to This PC instead of Home: File Explorer → three dots (…) → Options → Open File Explorer to → This PC → Apply. ^2^

References

1. Windows 11: Can't see quick access or recent items anymore - Microsoft Q&A
2. File Explorer in Windows | Microsoft Support
3. Find your files and apps in Windows | Microsoft Support
4. My File Explorer is showing duplicate "items" and information at the ...