On Windows 10 is now possible to resume tasks on different devices. For example, you can start working on a Word document on your laptop, and then you can continue the same work on your desktop or phone.
The feature is known as “pick up where you left off,” and in order to work properly, Windows 10 needs to track and collect your device activities in order to resume tasks on different devices.
If you want to remove certain activities, or you don’t find this feature useful, you can quickly disable and clear your activity history on Windows 10 using the Settings app. Also, clearing activity history may help to fix problems when “pick up where you left off” isn’t working correctly.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to clear your activity history, which are often access from the Action Center, Cortana, and Timeline.
How to clean ‘activity history’ using Settings
In order to delete the activities that allows you to resume apps, docs, and websites on other devices, do the following:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Privacy.
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Click on Activity history.
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Clear the Let Windows sync my activities from this PC to the cloud option.
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Jump to another settings page, and then come back to the Activity history page to refresh the page and make the option to delete your history available.
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Under “Clear activity history,” click the Clear button.
Clear Timeline activity history settings -
Click the OK button to confirm.
Once you’ve completed the steps, the activities that Windows 10 collects about you to resume tasks on other devices will be removed from your Microsoft account. If you’re simply clearing your data, remember to turn back on the sync option described on steps No. 4.
If you no longer want the feature to connect these type of activities, leave the activity sync option disable and clear the Let Windows collect my activities from this PC option as well.
It’s worth noting that this feature doesn’t clear the data Microsoft collects about you, “Activity history” only deletes “pick up where you left off” related items.
These customisation options are part of the Windows 10 version 1803 (April 2018 Update), which means that if you don’t see the Activity history section in the Settings app, it’s likely because you’re not running version 1803. The April 2018 Update is expected to release on April 30, 2018.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].