How to Remove Recent SharePoint Files from Excel on Another Computer
Question details
The user needs to stop files opened from SharePoint from appearing in the Excel Recent list on a computer used by a different Microsoft account.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Using a shared or secondary computer where the user signed out, but their recent SharePoint files continue to sync or appear in another user's Excel list.
- Observed behavior
- Files opened from SharePoint continue to appear in Excel's Recent list even after signing out of the Microsoft account, and new files keep updating on the other device.
Before making changes to account settings, ensure you have saved and closed all active Excel workbooks, and have your Microsoft account credentials handy in case you need to sign back in.
Clear the Recent List and Remove Windows Credentials
Remove individual files from the Recent list and disconnect your work or school account from Windows to stop syncing.
Signing out of Office is sometimes not enough because Windows may still hold onto your work or school account credentials, causing SharePoint and OneDrive to continue syncing your recent file history to that computer.
Open Excel, go to the 'File' menu, and click on 'Recent'. Right-click the specific SharePoint files you want to remove and select 'Remove from list'.
Click your profile name or picture in the top right corner of the Excel window and select 'Sign out'.
Click the Windows Start button, open 'Settings', and navigate to 'Accounts'.
Select 'Access work or school' from the left sidebar. Find your Microsoft account, click on it, and select 'Disconnect' to completely remove it from the device.
Verify OneDrive Settings and Unlink Account
Check OneDrive settings to ensure your account is completely unlinked from the secondary computer.
Switch to WPS Office for Easier File Management
Experiencing frustrating sync issues with Microsoft Excel? Try WPS Office, a free and lightweight alternative that gives you full control over your recent files and privacy, without complicated background account syncing.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your PC.
- 2. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .xlsx files directly; no complex account setup is required to start editing.
- 3. Manage Recent Files: Easily clear or manage your recent file history directly from the WPS homepage with complete local privacy control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my recent Excel files show up on another computer?
This typically happens if your Microsoft, work, or school account is still linked to the Windows 'Access work or school' settings on that computer. This allows Office and OneDrive to continue syncing your recent activity.
Will changing my Microsoft account password stop files from syncing?
Changing your password will sign you out of most devices, but you may still need to manually remove the Windows credentials and unpin or clear the existing recent files locally on the secondary computer.
Can I completely disable the Recent files list in Excel?
Yes, you can set the number of recent workbooks to zero. Go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll to the Display section, and change 'Show this number of Recent Workbooks' to 0.
Should I delete Office activation files to fix this sync issue?
No, it is highly recommended not to delete Office activation files unless explicitly instructed by Microsoft Support, as this can cause licensing and functionality issues.
