I use a windows file manager to open projects. I still do not trust the recently opened lists. Too many times with way too many programs over more that 20 years I have found these lists to have not been updated. I only use them if I KNOW it is the correct file.
Causes: the program does not close properly, the program is interrupted during the history save, windows does not save to the file correctly,...
However, I do agree the list should be as long as a user desires.