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in windows 7 it is possibe to exclude a program from appearing in the recently used programs list.

quote from sevenforums.com

To automatically and permanently exclude a program from appearing there:

[Start] [Run] [Regedit]

Registry Key: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileAssociation\

In the right pane, double click AddRemoveApps

The [Value Data] box contains a list of the default entries

To add a program to the list, type a semicolon followed by the name of the program executable

Example: To add Notepad, the entry would be ;notepad.exe
Add as many programs as you like and click [OK]
Exit Registry and Reboot

i wonder if it works on win8.1 and if start8 would actually use it? would be a nice feature to have in start8.

that wouldn't solve the problem.

better to solve the problem, which in this case is add the feature of reading this registry value and actually keeping the programs off the start menu which is a feature in windows, than tell people just right-click.

To clear the list you do exactly the same as you do on Windows 7.  Right click the taskbar, select Properties and then on the Start Menu tab untick store and display recently opened programs in the Start menu, click apply and then retick it and apply again.