How to Clear Recent in Mac Finder
If you’re a Mac user, you might have noticed that the Finder keeps track of your recent files and folders. While this feature can be convenient for quickly accessing documents you’ve recently worked on, it can also clutter your menu bar and make it harder to find the files you need. If you’re looking to clear recent items in Mac Finder, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out.
Step 1: Open the Finder
To begin, simply open the Finder on your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock, pressing Command + Space to open Spotlight, and typing “Finder,” or by clicking on the Finder icon in the menu bar.
Step 2: Access the Finder Preferences
Once the Finder is open, click on the “Finder” menu at the top left corner of the screen, and then select “Preferences” from the dropdown menu. This will open the Finder Preferences window.
Step 3: Navigate to the General Tab
In the Finder Preferences window, you’ll see several tabs at the top. Click on the “General” tab to view the options related to recent items.
Step 4: Clear Recent Items
In the General tab, you’ll find a section called “Recent Items.” To clear the list of recent items, click on the “Clear” button next to each category (Files, Folders, and Servers) that you want to clear. If you want to clear all recent items at once, you can click on the “Clear All” button at the bottom of the window.
Step 5: Close the Preferences Window
After you’ve cleared the recent items, click on the “OK” button to close the Finder Preferences window. The recent items list should now be empty, and you should see a message confirming that the items have been cleared.
Alternative Method: Use the Keyboard Shortcut
If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, you can clear recent items in Mac Finder by pressing Command + Option + C. This will open a dialog box where you can clear recent items for Files, Folders, and Servers.
Conclusion
By following these simple steps, you can easily clear recent items in Mac Finder and keep your menu bar organized. Whether you’re looking to declutter your recent items list or just want to ensure that your Mac’s performance isn’t affected by unnecessary data, clearing recent items is a quick and straightforward process.
