How can I limit the number of recent files in the recents folder?

"Recents" is not a folder. It is a search result - one about which you, the user, have no control.

So what should you do? It is up to you.

I always remove "Recents" from the Sidebar and never ever use it.

Instead, I can have as many Smart Folders as I want, defined by the criteria I want.

For example, "files last opened today", or "pdf files created in the last week", or "image files of size less than some value, and ..."

or .... the possibilities are endless.

And I control exactly what I see.

Recents puts everything and the kitchen sink, and when you have everything you can't find anything.

For example, like this:

Click Save, give it a descriptive name and keep in the Sidebar, if you want.

wmgi wrote:

One of the worst things about Macs... the "recents" folder.

After migrating to a new macbook, my recents folder now has hundreds of recently viewed files. How can I limit how many or how "recent" they are?

It seems Apple added recents, but never gave any user control over it except to hide the folder. I like the concept, but having so many files showing is silly and a waste. They are not recently viewed by any stretch.

B

Silly and a waste of what exactly...?

If you are fixated on the Finder sidebar Recent— turn it off in Finder Preferences

You can submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple concerning your desire and user experience.

Same data base—If you use the quite useful "Recent" in the Exposé feature for an Application—

it has user preference "None to 50" search your System Preferences for Recent

wmgi wrote:

After a migration hundreds show with "last opened" dates exceeding 2 years.

submit your feedback to a Apple.

You make no progress on a user to user forum...

 http://www.apple.com/feedback 

or

Contact the corporate office   Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

wmgi wrote:

After a migration hundreds show with "last opened" dates exceeding 2 years.

You can clear Recents if you have not...

If in doubt from Finder>Help>

report back your success or failure

Hello,

Article: Organise your files in the Finder on Mac – Apple Support

Hopefully, this can help resolve your issue.