Tip 1095: Add Recent Documents link to Insert File dialog

A user discovered the Recent Documents link is missing from the Insert File dialog:

I recently upgraded to Windows 7, replacing Windows XP. When I attached a recent document while in Outlook on Windows XP, I just had to click on the "Attach File" button and select "Recent Documents" to see the documents I recently created and attach them to my email message. I cannot find that function in Windows 7. I need to find the document where I saved it, which is a few more clicks. Does anyone know how to get the Recent Documents feature back?

The Recent Documents files list was deprecated in Office 2010/2013 and Windows 7/8, in part because the recent documents for each application are on the Jump List and accessible by right clicking on the application icon in the Taskbar. While this is great when you are opening files, it's not a lot of help when you want to send a file by email. Fortunately you can add a Recent Documents link to Windows Explorer Favorites (and Places to the Places Bar).

To add Recent Documents shortcuts to the Favorites list, type or paste

%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

in the address bar of Windows Explorer and press Enter to open the Recent folder. Right click on Favorites (on the left) and choose the option to add the location to the favorites list.

You can add other frequently used folders to the Places Bar (yes, it still exists), although you can't add the Recent Documents folder because it's read-only shortcuts. See Places Bar in Office 2010 and 2013 for complete instructions and screenshots.

Published June 24, 2013. Last reviewed on July 30, 2013.