The following KB article could be relevant:

The "Most recently used" list is missing from the File menu, and the
"Recently used file list" option is unavailable in Office XP and in
Office 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/284896/en-us

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP


"Frank Martin" wrote in message
...
How can the "Recently used file list" disappear?
Normally this can be set for about the last 10
entries but now it is faded out.
Please help, Frank