
If the number of pinned items reaches the maximum number of items, then no new items will get added to the list until an item is unpinned. If an item is pinned, it will still travel down the list, but will not vanish from the list. If an item already appears somewhere in the list but is accessed again, then that item moves back to the top of the list. Once the list is full (default value is ten), older items fall to the bottom of the list as new items are added to the top of the list. Items will move down in the list over time. A new item is always added at the top of the Recent items list. According to the Microsoft knowledgebase the Recent Items algorithm produces the following behavior: You can also “pin” files and folders to the Recent Items list, so you always have quick access to them. Microsoft Word shows recent documents Internet Explorer shows recent websites and Microsoft Paint shows recently opened pictures, for example. By default, Windows shows the ten most recent used items by file name. In jump lists on the Start menu and taskbar, however, Recent Items will display the most recently used items for that application.
In File Explorer, Windows will just show you your most recently opened items.
You’ll also find them in File Explorer, in the Quick Access pane: Here’s what they look like in the taskbar’s jump lists: