Office Settings & Configuration

How to Unpin Recently Used Documents in Microsoft Word

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to remove or unpin documents that are stuck at the top of the recent files list in Microsoft Word.

How to Unpin Recently Used Word Documents

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing the recent files list and removing old, pinned documents that are no longer needed for quick access.
Observed behavior: Certain files remain anchored at the top of the recently used files list because they were previously pinned.

Before you start

Ensure you have Microsoft Word open and are on the starting screen or the File menu where your recent documents are visible.

Solution 1Recommended

Unpin Documents via the File Menu

The quickest way to remove a document from your pinned list is through the standard Open menu in Microsoft Word.

When you pin a document in Microsoft Word, it stays at the top of your Recent list for easy access. Unpinning it will simply move it back to the chronological order of your recent files.

Open Microsoft Word

Launch the Microsoft Word application on your computer.

Navigate to the Open menu

Click on the "File" tab in the top left corner, then select "Open" from the left-hand sidebar to view your recent files.

Locate pinned files

Look at the top of your recent documents list, where all of your pinned files are grouped together under the "Pinned" section.

Unpin the document

Hover your cursor over the file you want to unpin. Click the solid pin icon on the right side of the file listing to unpin it. Repeat this step for any other files you wish to remove from the pinned list.

Quick Tip: You can also access the pinned files directly from the Word launch screen when you first open the application, bypassing the need to click "File" first.

Solution 2

Clear Unpinned Documents

If you want to clean up your recent list entirely after unpinning documents, you can clear all unpinned items at once.

Manage Recent Files with WPS Office

Easily Manage and Pin Recent Documents in WPS Office

WPS Office provides an intuitive and clutter-free interface for managing your recent and pinned documents. You can easily pin essential files or unpin them with a single click, all while enjoying full compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats.

1. Open WPS Office: Launch WPS Office on your computer to view the main dashboard.
2. View Recent Files: Click on the "Recent" tab in the left navigation panel to see your recently opened files.
3. Unpin a document: Hover over any pinned document at the top of the list and click the solid pin icon to unpin it.

Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) filesOne-click pinning and unpinning of frequently used documentsFree, lightweight, and fast office suiteCentralized tabbed interface for easier document management

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see the pin icon when hovering over a document?

The pin icon might not appear if you are viewing files in a different list format, or if you are not in the 'Recent' tab. Ensure you are looking under File > Open > Recent. If the issue persists, your Office installation might need an update.

Does unpinning a document delete it from my computer?

No, unpinning a document only removes it from the top of your recent files list. The actual file remains safely stored in its original folder on your computer.

Can I unpin multiple Word documents at once?

Microsoft Word does not have a bulk unpin feature. You must click the pin icon for each document individually to remove them from the pinned section.

How do I pin a document back to the top?

Go to File > Open > Recent, find the document you want to keep at the top, hover over it, and click the horizontal outline pin icon so it turns into a solid, pointing-down pin.

Office App Problems