Increase the number of MRU items

Delphi/C++Builder 5-2007

The IDE keeps the last 5 opened projects in the MRU list (File/Reopen). Sometimes this number is too small. Unfortunately there is no option to change the number of MRU entries. But there is a way by applying a binary patch to the coreide*.bpl file that allows us to increase the number to 10 items.

First of all: Make a copy of the bin\coreide*.bpl file. If something goes wrong you can restore the file later.

  1. Open the bin\coreide*.bpl file in a hex editor of your choice (e.g. HxD, written in Delphi)
  2. Search for the Hex-value 8B 40 08 48 BA 04 00 00 00 E8
  3. Verify by using search next that there are no further occurrences of the byte sequence in the file
  4. Replace the 04 by 09 for 10 MRU items (4=5-1, 9=10-1)
  5. Search for the Hex-value BA 05 00 00 00 A1
  6. Verify by using search next that there are no further occurrences of the byte sequence in the file
  7. Replace the 05 by 0A for 10 MRU items

WARNING: Patching binary files may cause damage. Use at your own risk.