3 files changed, 56 insertions, 9 deletions

diff --git a/etc/NEWS b/etc/NEWS
index ca97f26a196..f7aebdf538f 100644
--- a/etc/NEWS
+++ b/etc/NEWS
@@ -1055,6 +1055,15 @@ compatible.
 'recentf-save-list' can print a message when saving the recentf list.
 The new option, if set to nil, suppresses this message.
 
+---
+*** New user option 'recentf-suppress-open-file-help'.
+By default, invoking 'recentf-open-files' displays a message saying what
+action clicking or typing RET on the item at point executes, and tabbing
+between items in the *Open Recent* buffer likewise displays such
+messages.  To suppress these messages, customize the user option
+'recentf-suppress-open-file-help' to non-nil.  The default value of this
+option is nil.
+
 ** Saveplace
 
 ---
diff --git a/lisp/recentf.el b/lisp/recentf.el
index 006b3159bb9..d641250f017 100644
--- a/lisp/recentf.el
+++ b/lisp/recentf.el
@@ -330,6 +330,15 @@ t means show messages that were printed by default on Emacs <= 31.1."
   :group 'recentf
   :type 'boolean
   :version "31.1")
+
+(defcustom recentf-suppress-open-file-help nil
+  "If non-nil, suppress help messages in recentf open file dialogs.
+By default, opening the dialog interactively and tabbing between items
+shows help messages.  (In any case, a tooltip displays the help text
+when the mouse pointer hovers over an item)."
+  :group 'recentf
+  :type 'boolean
+  :version "31.1")
 
 ;;; Utilities
 ;;
@@ -1101,15 +1110,38 @@ IGNORE arguments."
 Go to the beginning of buffer if not found."
   (goto-char (point-min))
   (condition-case nil
-      (let (done)
-        (widget-move 1)
+      (let ((no-echo (or recentf-suppress-open-file-help
+                         ;; Show help messages by default only when
+                         ;; invoking these interactively (bug#78666).
+                         (not (memq this-command '(recentf-open-files
+                                                   recentf-open-more-files
+                                                   recentf-forward
+                                                   recentf-backward)))))
+            done)
+        (widget-move 1 no-echo)
         (while (not done)
           (if (eq widget-type (widget-type (widget-at (point))))
               (setq done t)
-            (widget-move 1))))
+            (widget-move 1 no-echo))))
     (error
      (goto-char (point-min)))))
 
+(defun recentf-forward (arg)
+  "Move the cursor to the next widget in the current dialog.
+With prefix argument ARG, move to the ARGth next widget.  If
+`recentf-suppress-open-file-help' is non-nil, suppress help messages in
+the echo area in the open recentf dialog."
+  (interactive "p")
+  (widget-forward arg recentf-suppress-open-file-help))
+
+(defun recentf-backward (arg)
+  "Move the cursor to the previous widget in the current dialog.
+With prefix argument ARG, move to the ARGth previous widget.  If
+`recentf-suppress-open-file-help' is non-nil, suppress help messages in
+the echo area in the open recentf dialog."
+  (interactive "p")
+  (widget-backward arg recentf-suppress-open-file-help))
+
 (defvar-keymap recentf-dialog-mode-map
   :doc "Keymap used in recentf dialogs."
   :parent (make-composed-keymap recentf--shortcuts-keymap widget-keymap)
@@ -1141,6 +1173,8 @@ Go to the beginning of buffer if not found."
     (recentf-dialog-mode)
     ,@forms
     (widget-setup)
+    (keymap-local-set "<remap> <widget-forward>" #'recentf-forward)
+    (keymap-local-set "<remap> <widget-backward>" #'recentf-backward)
     (switch-to-buffer (current-buffer))))
 
 ;;; Edit list dialog
diff --git a/lisp/wid-edit.el b/lisp/wid-edit.el
index db241ca914a..311e39f4c0f 100644
--- a/lisp/wid-edit.el
+++ b/lisp/wid-edit.el
@@ -1383,19 +1383,23 @@ nothing is shown in the echo area."
     (widget-echo-help (point)))
   (run-hooks 'widget-move-hook))
 
-(defun widget-forward (arg)
+(defun widget-forward (arg &optional suppress-echo)
   "Move point to the next field or button.
-With optional ARG, move across that many fields."
+With optional ARG, move across that many fields.
+When the second optional argument is non-nil,
+nothing is shown in the echo area."
   (interactive "p")
   (run-hooks 'widget-forward-hook)
-  (widget-move arg))
+  (widget-move arg suppress-echo))
 
-(defun widget-backward (arg)
+(defun widget-backward (arg &optional suppress-echo)
   "Move point to the previous field or button.
-With optional ARG, move across that many fields."
+With optional ARG, move across that many fields.
+When the second optional argument is non-nil,
+nothing is shown in the echo area."
   (interactive "p")
   (run-hooks 'widget-backward-hook)
-  (widget-move (- arg)))
+  (widget-move (- arg) suppress-echo))
 
 ;; Since the widget code uses a `field' property to identify fields,
 ;; ordinary beginning-of-line does the right thing.