For the past week or more the recent file list is not updating. Rhino 5 x64 SR 11 + VisualArq 1.8.3. As well it seems that Record History is always turned on even though I turn it off unless working with VisualArq. When I restart it is turned back on.
Is History on for the template you start with? Maybe it’s a VisualArq template?
Can you try disabling VisualArq and then restart Rhino? Work on a few files and then close and restart Rhino again. Do you still not see recent files in the File drop down menu or splash screen?