Why Does Finder Only Show Recents?
In today’s digital age, the Finder app on macOS has become an essential tool for managing files and folders. However, many users have reported a common issue where the Finder only shows recent files and folders, which can be quite frustrating. This article aims to explore the reasons behind this problem and provide possible solutions to help users regain full access to their files and folders.
1. Default Settings
One of the primary reasons why Finder only shows recent files and folders is due to the default settings of the app. macOS is designed to prioritize recent files to enhance productivity and ease of access. By default, the “Show Recent Items” option is enabled in the Finder preferences. This setting is particularly useful for quickly accessing frequently used files.
2. Cache Issue
Another possible cause for this issue is a corrupted cache file. The Finder app stores information about recently accessed files in a cache file, which helps in displaying them quickly. If this cache file gets corrupted, the Finder may only show recent items. To resolve this, users can try clearing the cache by following these steps:
1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: `sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.finder`
3. Enter your administrator password when prompted.
4. Restart your Mac.
3. Third-Party Extensions
Third-party extensions or plugins can sometimes interfere with the Finder app’s functionality. If you have recently installed any third-party extensions or plugins, they might be causing the issue. To identify the culprit, you can disable them one by one and check if the problem persists.
4. Disk Permissions
Corrupted disk permissions can also lead to the Finder showing only recent items. To fix this, you can repair disk permissions by following these steps:
1. Open the Disk Utility app on your Mac.
2. Select your startup disk from the list on the left.
3. Click on the “First Aid” tab.
4. Click on “Run” to start repairing disk permissions.
5. Restart your Mac.
5. Reinstalling Finder
If none of the above solutions work, you can try reinstalling the Finder app. This can be done by holding down the Option key while restarting your Mac and choosing “Reinstall macOS” from the startup options. However, this method should be a last resort, as it may require you to reinstall all your applications and data.
In conclusion, there are several reasons why Finder only shows recent items on macOS. By identifying the cause and applying the appropriate solution, users can regain full access to their files and folders. It is essential to understand the nature of the problem and try various solutions to find the most effective one for your specific situation.
