Recent Folder upfront when you open the Finder window on Mac? or In the Finder Sidebar. However, the Recents folder could be a pain in the head because sometimes it could show the files and folders that you don’t wish to see the next time. This article will show you two different ways to Clear or remove the Recents folder on any Mac. The Recents Folder is made up of the Spotlight search by tracking the files and folders that you’ve opened recently.
Irrespective of files, Recent collects all the files and folders and puts them in a single folder to make it easy for you to access. Luckily, Recent can be hidden and disabled from Finder on Mac. Here’s how.
How to Hide Recents Folder in Finder
If you don’t want to entertain the Recents folder in Finder, then this is the best way to hide the Recent Folder on the Mac without affecting the system or any functionalities. Here you’ll have to set another folder instead of Recents; here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Launch the Finder on your Mac > Click on Finder in the top Menu bar > Select Settings.
Step 2: Select the General Tab > Click on the Blue Colored Up-Down Arrow under the New Finder Windows Show Section.
Step 3: From the List, you can Select any Option except Recents, like any Specific Folder, Documents, Desktop, Macintosh HD, etc., whatever is available there, and Close the Preferences window.
Once you’re done selecting the alternate Folder instead of Recents, you’ll need to remove Recents manually from the Finder.
Step 1: Launch the Finder on your Mac > In the Favorites Sidebar, Tap on Recents and Right-click on the Recents Folder > Click on Remove From Sidebar.
You must be familiar with the Spotlight search; it is the universal program that is built within the macOS. Whatever folders, apps, and documents are stored in your Mac can be searched and opened within seconds using the Spotlight search. Spotlight continuously indexes all the files and apps stored in the Finder, gathers all the information about it, and reflects the correct results when searched using Spotlight.
So now we’re recommending you to deindex the Mac’s Hard Drive for Spotlight search. However, there’s one biggest drawback to this, when you perform these steps, the Spotlight search won’t help you find the files located on the Macintosh HD drive.
Step 1: Click on the Apple Logo at the top of Menubar > Select System Settings.
Step 2: Click on Siri & Spotlight > Select the Spotlight Privacy tab.
Step 3: Click on the (+) button.
Step 4: Click on the Blue-Colored Up-down Arrow.
Step 5: Select Macintosh HD.
Step 6: Next, Click Choose.
Step 7: Give the OK if asked for confirmation.
The Spotlight search will still work to find apps, contacts, and messages, but the Recents folder will be empty.
