>I am working with the West Wind HTML Help builder. I made several test projects but now I am getting serious and I want to erase all my old test projects, but they stay in the "recent projects" list, even if I remove the directory.
>How can I get rid all my test projects and start a real one now?

I would guess the information of recent projects is stored in a config file in the install directory or in the registry. If in the install directory as a file, then look for a file with a timestamp change -- if found try to remove and see what happens (be able to restore). If not found there, look in the registry -- try a search for the project name. Probably under Software->West Wind (or something similar) key. Again backup the key before you try to delete in order to restore.