What is Jump List?

A feature that appeared with Windows 7 and later editions is a jump list. On their taskbar, users can display the most recently used or accessed files from installed programs. Right-click any program icon in your taskbar to view it. The files we most recently utilised that program for would be listed as a result.

Thanks to jump lists, digital forensics experts can more quickly access a suspect's most recently used and frequently visited files. Therefore, let's assume they're searching for the offender who altered a shared document without authorization. They can quickly determine whether and when the subject of the inquiry accessed the relevant file.

Learn More About "Jump List"

Here is an example of a jump list, in case you're interested in knowing:

The jump list for Microsoft Excel 2010 in the example above (boxed in red) displays the most recent spreadsheets that the user accessed (Application_form.xls, etc.).

Is the Taskbar the Only Way to Access Jump Lists?

No, is the quick response to this query. If the program you want is listed on a jump list, you can also reach it from the Start menu. You only need to right-click the program's icon to create a jump list.

How Can the Jump List Feature Be Enabled?

Companies can set the jump list option to be enabled by default on all employee PCs by hiring digital forensics specialists. They must stop users from disabling the feature if they want to use it as a tool for investigations. They cannot grant users administrator access rights in order to accomplish that.

To activate or deactivate the jump list feature, follow these steps:

• Select Properties by doing a right-click on the taskbar.
• Select the Start Menu tab (the second one) in the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialogue box.
  
• To activate the jump list feature, check the boxes next to "Store and display recently opened items in the Start menu and the taskbar" and "Store and display recently opened programmes in the Start menu". Uncheck the boxes to make it inactive.
• To preserve the adjustments you made, click the Apply button. You are prepared.

What Applications Employ Jump Lists?

For all installed programmes as well as all apps included with Windows 7 and newer operating systems (OSs), jump lists can be made.

Microsoft Edge

The websites you most recently visited are displayed in Edge Your Edge's jump list, as seen below.

We can check if a computer's user recently visited the website that was to blame for the network's virus infection for digital forensics purposes.

Using Windows Media Player

The most recent audio and video files you have listened to or watched are displayed in your Windows Media Player jump lists.

This jump list can be used by experts in digital forensics to determine whether a computer user is, for example, watching a movie instead of working.

Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

A Microsoft Excel jump list was demonstrated to you before. Here is an example for Microsoft Word, which also displays the files that have been modified most recently on the app:

Digital forensics analysts can use these jump lists to conduct unauthorised access investigations.

Jump lists are a terrific way to pick up right where we left off at work. In essence, they monitor the advancement instead of us. Additionally, they enable digital forensics professionals to expedite investigations.