Symptom

Each time you restart your computer, or logoff your account, you'll notice that the Start Menu's Run history (RunMRU) is cleared. This may be caused by any of the following reasons:

> A system maintenance program is clearing the MRU lists at startup

> ClearRecentDocsOnExit registry value is set to 1

Resolution

If you're using a third-party system maintenance program like System Mechanic or Fresh UI, disable the corresponding options in that utility which clears the RUN history. Note that some versions of Zone Alarm has a Cache cleaner facility under Privacy settings. Also, to see if a system maintenance or tweak program is loading at Windows startup, the article manage Windows Startup might help.

Another possibility is that the ClearRecentDocsOnExit registry value is set to 1 in the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows\ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer

Though ClearRecentDocsOnExit documentation does not talk anything about the RUN history, this setting DOES clear the Run history as well (RunMRU lists). Another thing that's cleared is the TypedURLs. TypedURLs registry key contains the list of URLs that you typed in Internet Explorer Address bar. (Note that visited sites are different are stored in the Index.dat)

Open REGEDIT.EXE and navigate to the above registry key. Set the ClearRecentDocsOnExit value to 0. If you have Tweak UI for Windows XP installed, launch the program and uncheck the option Clear document history on exit in the Explorer section.