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How to Change Excel File Opening View from Pinned to Recent
Question details
The user wants to restore the 'Recent' files view when opening Excel, as the application currently defaults to showing the 'Pinned' section instead.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening the Excel application or accessing the start screen to view previously opened spreadsheet files.
- Observed behavior
- Excel automatically displays the 'Pinned' files section on startup instead of the expected 'Recent' files list.
Since this troubleshooting step involves modifying the Windows Registry, it is highly recommended to back up your registry before proceeding to prevent unintended system issues.
Reset Office Preferences via Registry Editor
Renaming the Microsoft Office registry key forces Excel to recreate its default settings, which often resolves startup view glitches and restores the Recent files view.
This method clears potentially corrupted UI settings in Microsoft Office. When you rename the primary Office configuration key, Excel will automatically generate a fresh, default settings folder the next time you open the application.
Ensure that Microsoft Excel, Word, and all other Office programs are completely closed so they do not interfere with the registry update.
Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type 'regedit' and press Enter or click OK.
In the left pane of the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office.
Right-click on the 'Office' folder, select 'Rename' from the context menu, and change its name to 'Office.old'. Press Enter to save.
Close the Registry Editor and open Microsoft Excel. Verify that the startup view has successfully returned to showing your Recent files.
Manage Your Recent Spreadsheets Easily with WPS Office
If Microsoft Excel settings keep causing display issues or registry modifications feel too risky, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a clean, bug-free interface that prominently displays your recent files right on the home screen, ensuring seamless document management without complex configurations.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website.
- 2. Open the Application: Launch WPS Office and click on 'Spreadsheet' in the main workspace.
- 3. View Recent Files: Your most recently accessed spreadsheets will be immediately visible on the home screen for easy access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Excel default to the Pinned view instead of Recent?
This behavior is typically caused by corrupted Microsoft Office preferences, a recent software update, or an accidental alteration in the user interface settings. Resetting the Office registry key clears the corrupted data.
Will resetting the Office registry key delete my Excel files?
No. Renaming or modifying the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office registry key only resets application UI preferences and settings. Your actual Excel spreadsheets and documents remain perfectly safe on your hard drive.
Can I manually switch between Pinned and Recent views without the registry?
Usually, you can click the 'Recent' or 'Pinned' tabs directly on the Excel start screen. However, if the application is stuck defaulting to 'Pinned' every time you launch it, a registry reset is often required to restore the default behavior.
How do I unpin files from the Pinned section in Excel?
Navigate to the Pinned section, hover your mouse over the file you wish to remove, and click the solid pushpin icon. The file will be unpinned but will still remain accessible in your computer's folders.
