Most Recently Used data
File type: Various data file
An mru file contains a list of recently used documents, links, or other items.
It is typically an internal data file created and used by an application to remember the items a user has recently accessed.
File type category:
Various data file
Date updated: October 25, 2026
The mru file extension is used for Most Recently Used data. Such a file can store references to recently used documents, links, or other items so that software can display them in a recent-items list.
There is no single standard format or universal application for mru files. Different software solutions on different platforms may use the extension for their own MRU data, and the file may be intended for internal use rather than direct editing. Its contents and relationship to the application's other files therefore depend on the software that created it.
Open an mru file with the application that created it or uses its recent-items list. There is no universal viewer for this file type.
If the file contains plain text, a text editor may allow its contents to be inspected. Editing or saving it with another program may prevent the associated application from using the MRU data correctly.
An mru file is usually an application support file rather than a document intended for conversion, so there is no general-purpose converter for it.
The associated application or another compatible tool may be able to export mru files to other formats. Otherwise, entries may need to be copied manually if the file is readable.
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