Os x clear recent files

By default, Finder opens the Recents folder. In order to change the default, first, activate the Finder. Click on the General tab.

Under the New Finder windows show section choose another folder in the dropdown, e. In case if you are trying to hide images you were opening on your Mac you should know that each application has its own list of recent documents. So, none of the methods described above will clear the Recent Items in the Preview app in case of images , or Word in case of. You have to remove the Recent documents list in each app used to open the files.

The method with encrypted drives will prevent you from accessing the file, but will not prevent you from seeing the name of the file. Hi, I am Al. I've been working with computers for more than 20 years and I am passionate about Apple products. You can reach me at [email protected]. Since the What is the Recents folder on Mac? In short, a smart folder is a saved search, a query, sometimes with parameters.

If you need proof, just open the folder in the Finder. Now, I know what you are thinking. Can I remove the query or delete it? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

At least not from the Finder window. Following are four ways to delete items from Recents on Mac. Hide entire startup disk from Spotlight Search This method is the fastest, and I mentioned it at the beginning of the article. Hide files from appearing in Recents in a folder In my opinion, a better approach is to create a folder and exclude it instead of excluding the entire disk.

Alternatively, does someone know where Preview stores this information and how do to remove it? Improve this question. Atomix Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. I feel the most common sense approach would be for OSX Get familiar with Apple's ' defaults ' command in terminal.

Now, hunt for any lists you might still want to get rid off, e. I played around with the defaults command and found that: " write com. Playing around I found similar solutions for many of the other apps that where still able to maintain a list of recent items.

Create a shell script containing the commands you found during step 2. Schedule the script to be run automatically on a preset interval or action e. Hope this will be of some help to others. I thought that had ended the problem of personal data showing up on my work Mac. The full content of both of those Address Book results were completely visible in the preview, revealing personal data I do not want showing up on my work Mac.

However, when double-clicking on those results, an empty Address book window opens. Are there any leftover files I can delete that will remove that old personal contact data connected to a former Apple ID, so they will no longer show up in a Spotlight search? I simply have no idea what to try next. If you could update this article with the correct method of accessing the Library folder to clean out the cache, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you. I wrote the article yesterday, but Apple did change the keystroke after having it be the Option key for many years. Old habits die hard! Maybe they like to change keystrokes to keep us all on our toes ;. I have Sierra Again, this may be a different thing in the international version. I have the latest version of Sierra installed but it is like Apple have differing versions throughout the world.

Rather than trash the files, put them on another drive in a folder appropriately labeled. If something goes incredibly wrong, you might be able to recover by returning one or more. Writing a note-to-self explaining WTF you did would be wise with the url of this page. Looking to find a way of finding in logs or anything else why my iMac crashes for no apparent reason. Typically updating an app or system software will remedy crashes, rarely the caches are related unless something is being reloaded from cache that is causing the problem.

A good place to ask this would be in the Apple Community forums — go to apple. Fast forward podcasts the same way you do music. Name required. Mail will not be published required. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited.

Enjoy this tip? Subscribe to our newsletter! Thank you! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Helen W says:. August 5, at pm. EMO says:. September 28, at pm. Fizgig says:.

July 13, at pm. I've tried all of the aforementioned suggestions to clear it out so I can start all over again, and none of them work. May 20, PM in response to R. I'll give this a try and see if works. I've tried everything else, might as well give this a go.

Works for me! R, why don't you stick around and answer more questions, collect valuable points and challenging merit awards? That would overwrite the fresh pref you created. May 26, PM in response to macjack In response to macjack.

What ever, it got rid of that pesky list. May 26, PM. Communities Get Support. Sign in Sign in Sign in corporate. Browse Search. Ask a question. User profile for user: R.