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Does anyone know how to read the files Microsoft creates for JumpLists?

I want to clear from JumpList all history/most visited/recently closed, WITHOUT clearing up the tasks.

I tried to use the APPID from win7api, and clear for example, google chrome's jumplist. But with "ClearAllUserTasks" method it clears EVERYTHING from the jumplist, even the "Tasks". The same thing is with deleting the file.

Isn't any way of knowing the format of the *destinations-ms files, so I can modify them myself? Basically, wanting to clear just history/most visited, but couldn't find anything in Windows 7 Api (nor C++ or .NET).

Timotei
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3 Answers3

14

The file is a Structured Storage file.

Giorgi
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    After some experimentation, I realized the `.automaticDestinations-ms` are Structured Storage files as the answer says. However, `.customDestinations-ms` are not. Luckily, I noticed that for what I'm doing (creating custom pins in Windows Explorer), custom is what i need. – Jason Capriotti Oct 18 '17 at 13:33
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    Seems that customDestinations-ms have now been converted to Structured Storage too. What a pain. Quick Access is so inflexible now... – BenPen Jul 31 '19 at 16:07
13

The OpenMCDF project is capable of reading and basic editing out of the box and you can easily create a specific tool with the library.

Jason Capriotti
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13xforever
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1

Here are steps to the hacky approach I took to clear Chrome's Recent list:

  1. Open the AutomaticDestinations folder
    • %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations
  2. Sort the AutomaticDestinations folder descending by Date modified
  3. Open Chrome and visit a site
  4. In the AutomaticDestinations folder, rename the most recently modified item
  5. Right click on Chrome's icon
    • If the Recent list has been removed, you have the right file and can delete it.
    • Otherwise, repeat steps 3 through 5 until the Recent list is empty
    • Don't forget to return the other files back to their original names.

To clear the Recent list of other applications, open them and perform and action that will cause their list to be modified.

The advantage of this method is that removes the need to read .automaticDestinations-ms files.

participator
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