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I wish to delete recents so that another person cannot see my choice of files. But, I do not want to delete the files in my other places such as Documents. When a file is deleted from recents it is deleted from the original file! How can I select some, not all, of files in recents and delete their appearance there without deleting the home file???
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.4
Create or change a Smart Folder on Mac - Apple Support
Will the new search file simple do the same things or do "criteria" limit it?
You can’t replace Recents.
also please detail how I could protect my files from deletion if I disable or better yet move Recent files to Trash.
You can’t. The files shown in a search result are the actual files.
The files in Recents are based on the kMDItemLastUsedDate metadata attached when you open the file in Finder. Some apps will also set the metadata, so you would need to find some tool that would remove that metadata. I don’t know of any.
gpauk wrote:
I suspect there isn’t one.
Correct.
Do you allow the 'another person' to have access to your password protected account, this is not a safe practice. I suggest locking the screen when you leave the computer then it won't matter about your recents.
Yes I lock the screen. Thanks but I still want an answer I suspect there isn’t one. I am in my 80s and at times have to share and also if I die I don’t want others to go thru my work. How do you delete the series and record without deleting the original files???
Recents isn't a place. It is a search folder.
You don't need it to see what files you've recently used as you can create a very simple search folder.
Hiding Recents or disabling it won't prevent anyone from accessing the information which you want to hide.
Thanks, but I think it is a bad program that deletes the original file if one deletes a file in Recents. Also there is no warning. Can someone give me details on both 1. setting up a search folder and 2. disabling Recents ?
Thank you. I will do that. It still seems strange that a search occurs when i open a file in my own files Not linked to the internet. Will the new search file simple do the same things or do "criteria" limit it?
Also please detail how I could protect my files from deletion if I disable or better yet move Recent files to Trash.
I do appreciate your help.
Hi,
It's not possible. To delete a file in Recents, it deletes the original file too.
Delete Recents
