What Was I
Working On?

A SMALL SHORTCUT BACK TO YOUR WORK

Lost the file?
Find your way back.

When you’ve moved on to the next task, remember the project—not the filename. See recent files, folders, and apps together, then open what you need.

Find it in Microsoft Store See how it works
  • ⌘ Open with Alt + Space
  • ◈ History stays on your PC
  • ⊞ For Windows 10 and 11
Windows overlay listing recently used files, their applications, and filters
One searchable view of your recent work
↗Found it?Open the file or its folder

One placeRecent items across supported sources

Quick returnOpen the file or its location

On-devicePrivate encrypted local history

LESS HUNTING, MORE DOING

Remember the work.
We’ll help find the file.

Use the clue you still have—its name, app, type, or when you last opened it.

Bring up your recent work

Press Alt + Space for a quick overlay. Search a word, extension, application, or folder.

01 / QUICK SEARCH

Open the right place

Open a result in its usual app, show it in File Explorer, pin it, or copy its path.

02 / RETURN TO WORK

Look further back

Use the full history window to review items by time, app, file category, and search term.

03 / REVIEW HISTORY

Check the Windows 11 board

Add the optional Recent work widget to see a short list without opening the full app.

04 / OPTIONAL WIDGET

YOUR DAY, IN ONE VIEW

Filter the noise.
Get back to the useful bit.

Look across recent items rather than reopening app after app. Narrow the results with a few remembered details.

  • Combine words to narrow a search
  • Switch between time, app, and file-type views
  • Keep a useful result pinned for later
View in Microsoft Store
Recent work Windows 11 widget with Today, Pinned, and All tabs
A compact view for the Windows 11 Widgets board.

LOCAL FIRST. CLEAR ABOUT IT.

Your work context
doesn’t need the cloud.

The app uses recent-activity information Windows and supported apps provide. It doesn’t crawl your drives or inspect document contents. Its history is encrypted on your device and isn’t uploaded.

Settings for the app shortcut, activity tracking, startup, and history retention

TUNE IT TO YOUR ROUTINE

A shortcut that fits.
Controls when you need them.

Adjust the global hotkey, pause recording new activity, and choose how long the app keeps its own history.

Explore the app

BEFORE YOU INSTALL

Questions, answered.

How can I find a file I recently opened on Windows?

Check File Explorer Home or the app’s own Recent list. For a combined searchable view, What Was I Working On? uses supported Windows recent-activity sources and opens with Alt + Space. It does not guarantee every app or file will appear.

Does this Windows app send my file history online?

No. The app stores its own history locally in encrypted storage. It does not upload file history, require an account, or use cloud sync for its core features.

Which versions of Windows can run the app?

Windows 10 version 1809 or later and Windows 11, on x64 and ARM64 PCs. The optional Widgets integration requires Windows 11.

Can the recovery scan restore any unsaved file?

No. The optional scan looks for candidates in known locations for supported applications. It cannot recover data that was never saved and cannot guarantee a candidate is complete or usable.

MORE WINDOWS HOW-TOS

Useful answers for common searches.

Start with Windows’ built-in options, then learn about privacy and recovery.

Visit the guide library
FIND A FILEWhere does Windows show recent files?Built-in places to check first WORKFLOWHow do I pick up an interrupted task?A short routine to recover your context PRIVACYCan recent file history stay on my PC?What local storage does—and doesn’t—mean RECOVERYWhat are application recovery files?Useful candidates, with realistic limits

MAKE “WHERE DID I SAVE THAT?” A QUICKER QUESTION

See it.
Open it. Carry on.

Bring recent files and folders back within easy reach.

Find it in Microsoft Store Windows 10 1809 or later and Windows 11 · x64 and ARM64