Recently opened files refer to documents, images, or other items you've accessed recently on your computer or within a specific application. Operating systems and many applications maintain a temporary list of these files for quick retrieval. Unlike searching manually through folders, this feature automatically tracks your file access history, allowing you to bypass remembering exact locations. This list is typically updated dynamically as you open and close files.

For instance, on a Windows PC, you can view a list of recently opened documents directly within File Explorer under "Quick access". Applications like Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop also maintain their own "Recent Files" list, usually accessible from the "File" or "Home" menu. Mac users can find similar lists in Finder under "Recents" or within application-specific menus. These features are standard across productivity tools and creative software.

The primary advantage is significant time savings and reduced effort in accessing frequently used work. However, this history is usually dependent on application or system settings and may be cleared upon restart, logoff, or user preference adjustment. While convenient, it raises potential privacy considerations if multiple users share a device, as others might see your recent activity. The persistence of this list varies based on system configuration and application design.