How to Remove Recent Files in File Explorer
In today’s digital age, managing files and folders on your computer is an essential skill. One common task that users often encounter is the need to remove recent files from the File Explorer. This can be particularly useful if you want to maintain privacy, organize your files better, or simply remove outdated entries. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to remove recent files in File Explorer on both Windows and macOS operating systems.
Removing Recent Files in Windows File Explorer
If you are using a Windows operating system, follow these steps to remove recent files from File Explorer:
1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon on the taskbar or pressing the Windows key + E.
2. Click on the “View” tab at the top of the window.
3. In the “Layout” group, click on “Options.”
4. In the “View” tab of the Folder Options window, click on “Change folder and search options.”
5. Under the “General” tab, uncheck the “Show recently used files in Quick Access” option.
6. Click “OK” to save the changes and close the Folder Options window.
By following these steps, you will successfully remove recent files from the Quick Access section in File Explorer.
Removing Recent Files in macOS Finder
For macOS users, the process is slightly different. Here’s how to remove recent files from Finder:
1. Open Finder by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or pressing Command + Space and typing “Finder.”
2. Go to the “Finder” menu at the top left corner of the screen and select “Preferences.”
3. In the “General” tab, you will see an option for “Show these items in the sidebar.” Uncheck the “Recent Items” option.
4. Click “OK” to save the changes and close the Preferences window.
By doing this, you will have successfully removed recent files from the sidebar in Finder.
Additional Tips
– If you want to remove recent files from the Quick Access section in Windows File Explorer, you can also right-click on the “Quick Access” folder and select “Properties.” In the Properties window, uncheck the “Show recently used files in Quick Access” option and click “Apply.”
– For a more comprehensive approach, you can clear the entire history of recently opened files by using the command prompt or PowerShell in Windows. To do this, open Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator and type the following command: `reg delete HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU /va /f`. This will clear the recent file history for all users on the system.
In conclusion, removing recent files from File Explorer or Finder is a straightforward process that can help you maintain a cleaner and more organized digital workspace. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily manage your recent file history on both Windows and macOS operating systems.
