Convenience versus Paranoia

Windows offers a plethora of convenient features. The Start menu remembers your most recently accessed files and programs, the Recycle Bin remembers what you've deleted, and Internet Explorer logs a history of each Web site you visit and fills in your passwords and personal information automatically. I admit it; as lazy as I am, I use most of these features. However, I'm the only user of my particular computer. The question is, do you want to leave a trail of where you've been and what you've been doing on the computer you're using?

Figure 12.13: The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box

To clear recent programs and documents from the Start menu

Right-click the Start menu.
Select Properties.
Click the Start Menu tab.
Click the Customize button.
On the General tab, enter 0 under Number of Programs on Start Menu.
Click the Clear List button.
On the Advanced tab, uncheck List My Most Recently Opened Documents.
Click the Clear List button.

Figure 12.14: The Customize Start Menu tabs

Tweak UI

Microsoft offers a convenient tool called Tweak UI with a so-called "paranoia" feature. You can download it and other free Windows XP PowerToys at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp. If you don't want prying eyes to see what files you've been accessing, Tweak UI offers an option to clear your document history automatically each time you exit Windows.

Figure 12.15: Tweak UI Explorer settings

To clear your document history automatically with Tweak U I

Open Tweak UI .
Click Explorer.
Under Settings, check Clear Document History on Exit.
Uncheck Maintain Document History.
Uncheck Maintain Network History.