How to Clear Recents in File Explorer
Are you tired of seeing a cluttered list of recently opened files in your File Explorer? If so, you’re not alone. Many users find that the “Recents” feature can become cumbersome, especially when they want to keep their system organized or when they don’t want others to see what files they’ve been working on. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to clear recents in File Explorer on both Windows and macOS operating systems.
Clearing Recents in Windows File Explorer
For Windows users, clearing the recents list is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or by pressing `Win + E`.
2. In the upper-right corner, click on the “View” tab.
3. In the “Layout” group, click on “Options.”
4. In the “View” tab, click on “Change folder and search options.”
5. In the “Advanced settings” section, scroll down and check the box next to “Show recently used files in Quick Access.”
6. Click “OK” to save the changes.
7. Go back to File Explorer and click on “Quick Access” in the left pane.
8. Right-click on any item in the “Recents” section and select “Clear.”
This will remove all items from the recents list, ensuring that your File Explorer is clutter-free.
Clearing Recents in macOS Finder
For macOS users, the process is a bit different, but still quite simple. Here’s how to clear recents in Finder:
1. Open Finder by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the Dock or by pressing `Cmd + Space` and typing “Finder.”
2. Click on “Finder” in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
3. Select “Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
4. In the “General” tab, uncheck the box next to “Show these items in the sidebar: Recents.”
5. Close the Preferences window.
This will remove the recents section from the Finder sidebar, effectively clearing the recents list.
Additional Tips
If you want to prevent the recents list from being created in the first place, you can disable the feature altogether:
– In Windows, go to “File Explorer Options” as described above, uncheck “Show recently used files in Quick Access,” and click “OK.”
– In macOS, follow the steps for clearing recents, but instead of unchecking the box, leave it unchecked to prevent the recents list from appearing in the sidebar.
By following these steps, you can keep your File Explorer or Finder organized and private, ensuring that your recent file activity remains a well-guarded secret.
