How to Disable Recents on Mac
If you’re a Mac user and find the Recents feature on your computer to be more of a distraction than a convenience, you might be wondering how to disable it. The Recents feature, which shows a list of recently opened applications and documents, can be quite useful for quickly accessing your work. However, if it’s getting in the way of your productivity or if you simply prefer a cleaner interface, it’s easy to turn it off. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to disable Recents on your Mac.
Step 1: Open the Apple Menu
The first step to disable Recents on your Mac is to open the Apple menu. This can be found in the top-left corner of your screen. Click on it to reveal a dropdown menu with various options.
Step 2: Select “System Preferences”
In the Apple menu, you’ll see an option for “System Preferences.” Click on this to open a new window that contains a variety of settings for your Mac.
Step 3: Navigate to the Dock Preferences
Within the System Preferences window, you’ll find several categories on the left-hand side. Scroll down and click on “Dock” to open the Dock preferences. This is where you can customize the appearance and behavior of your Dock.
Step 4: Disable the Recents Feature
In the Dock preferences, you’ll see a list of options on the left-hand side. Look for the “Show recent items in Dock” option and uncheck the box next to it. This will disable the Recents feature, and your Dock will no longer display a list of recently opened applications and documents.
Step 5: Close System Preferences
Once you’ve unchecked the “Show recent items in Dock” option, click the “Close” button at the top-right corner of the System Preferences window to save your changes and close the window.
Alternative Method: Use Terminal
If you prefer using the Terminal, you can also disable the Recents feature on your Mac. Here’s how:
1. Open the Terminal application. You can find it in the Applications folder under Utilities.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: `defaults write com.apple.dock show-recents -bool false`
3. Restart your Mac for the changes to take effect.
By following these simple steps, you can easily disable the Recents feature on your Mac and enjoy a cleaner, more streamlined interface. Whether you’re looking to boost your productivity or simply prefer a more minimalistic look, turning off Recents is a quick and easy solution.
