# How Do I Clean The Run Box in Win7

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by Shell Script (I just keep on posting!) on Monday, 04-Mar-2013 7:23:26

Hi all. I am a user of the windows-r, which pops open a run box. But, the box keeps a history, which I don't want to stick. How do I fix that, or at least clean the histor out?

## Post 2 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 04-Mar-2013 11:42:44

Disc cleanup or just restart the computer.

## Post 3 by Shell Script (I just keep on posting!) on Monday, 04-Mar-2013 14:01:38

Restarting doesn't do it, so disc cleanup will need to do.

## Post 4 by BigDogDaddy (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Monday, 04-Mar-2013 15:32:22

No, Disk clean up would not clean the history of the run box!
To clean the run prompt, Go to the task bar and start menu properties, on the start menu tab, there is a check box, to keep recently items on the start menu, if you uncheck this, this will remove everything from your run prompt, however, it won't keep subsequent information either. If you wish to just delete the history of the run box now, that would involve registry edits, which in my experience of dealing with cleaning up the run prompt for consumers in the past can be a pain.

## Post 5 by rat (star trek rules!) on Monday, 04-Mar-2013 20:26:28

there is no need for messing with the registry. Get CCleaner, and you're done as it cleans run for you along with many many other things.

## Post 6 by Shell Script (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 05-Mar-2013 10:15:52

Cool, isn't that a costly program. I don't make income (yet), as I am indeed a minor in school and haven't landed a job, nor have I any means to pay if I had the money. Is there a free solution?

## Post 7 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 05-Mar-2013 11:39:55

C cleaner is free. I was going to suggest that, but if you use it just use it as it is set up unless you understand howthe other settings will effect you. Using it as set is fine.
www.ccleaner.com
I honestly haven't really noticed the history in the run box on Windows 7. I don't use it often, so.
I looked at mine on Windows 8 and just restarting clears it.

## Post 8 by BigDogDaddy (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Tuesday, 05-Mar-2013 17:36:06

No, restarting doesn't clear it. You may not hear anything there, but a couple of down arrows will show the last things typed in the run prompt. Using windows 8 64 bit pro here. I didn't recommend C cleaner as as pointed out above not knowing how to use some features can result in issues. I've fixed a lot of folks computers who started with C cleaner and ended up with a mess.

## Post 9 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Tuesday, 05-Mar-2013 21:01:45

But if you don't change any settings in C Cleaner, you won't mess anything up. One thing I will suggest, though, is to not install it from the website. That installer puts Google Chrome on your computer without your consent. Chrome may be a legit program, but I don't like any software that silently puts crap where it doesn't belong. If you're going to install C Cleaner, get it from ninite.com instead.

## Post 10 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 05-Mar-2013 22:14:43

Yes, they do install things, and I dislike that.
You know I also have Windows 8 64 bit pro, and my experience is different. Odd, but there you go. Smile. My experience is even different from my laptop to my desktop.
Example, I have Office 2013 installed on both computers. On the desktop I can not send a link or a page using IE controls. I have to copy the link or page and send it that way. Microsoft worked on it for about an hour or so and they can't make it work.
Now if I use Outlook 2010 on that same desktop it works perfectly. On my laptop it works just fine.
I have some other odd things happening as well, but all I need do to clear the run history is restart, or use the clear computer history feature in Windows 8.
Are you confused now? Smile.
I have to agree with Big Dog, however, if you are going to use C cleaner do it with caussion as I said before. Mess up and you don't understand how to fix it you'll need help.

## Post 11 by Thunderbolt (Generic Zoner) on Tuesday, 05-Mar-2013 23:46:33

I use Windows 7 and Office 2007, and I'm having a problem with the normal file indicating that the file I'm trying to close is already in use. I have to reboot to get rid of the problem, but that only lasts for awhile. Is there any relationship between the interesting discussion you folks are having and my problem. I was hoping to rename the normal file, but I can't find the darn thing. Does anyone know how to find the normal file on my system? I apologize if my question is unrelated to your conversation. Thanks.

## Post 12 by kool_turk (This site is so "educational") on Tuesday, 05-Mar-2013 23:47:57

ninite hasn't had CCleaner for some time.
However, you can just install it from the website, just get the portable version.
The portable version doesn't come with Chrome.
If you have trouble finding it on the site, I believe whitestick.co.uk has a copy, and they're pretty up to date.

## Post 13 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 06-Mar-2013 16:03:26

Download.com has it as well.
I did some research on this issue and learned why we all have different opinions on how to clear the run dialogue box in Windows 7. How the computer is setup matters.
I maintain other systems, so recently had access to one running Windows 7and
I had forgotten a simple setting.
You don’t need to use a third party program like C cleaner, but it does work.
Windows 7 keeps a history, as you know, but you can uncheck these boxes and it won’t, or clear them when you desire to clear the history.
I don’t like clutter, so always set my personal computer to keep as less of it as possible. For this reason I suggested simply restarting, because that worked, for me, and why I never had to clear or noticed my run box filled.
Okay, enough with my speeches. Here is how you do it, and it works.
1. Press windows key to get to the start menu.
2. Type, taskbar and start menu, in the search box. As you type it will probably say it, so soon as it does hit enter.
3. Press control+tab to get to start menu page. This page has much to do with how your computer keeps the history and you’ll note you can customize it as you want.
. Store tab down to privacy, clear the Store and display a list of recently opened programs check box. Tab to okay and restart.
Here is the article from Microsoft’s website, and you’ll notice it suggest a different method to get to the places. Either method works, but mine is just faster.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Clear-the-Run-history-on-the-Start-menu
Nnote this says Vista, but is also for Windows 7.
Next note that you have a junk history and that might get cleared as well. I don’t think so, because there is another method to getting your junk history cleared, but I feel I should warn about it.
Microsoft suggests using this on a public computer before you leave it.