How to clear "last opened" items from new finder window menu

FWIW, that list is not a "Last Opened" list. That is the list of open folders. The diamond indicates they are hidden. If you click on one of them the folder should open, then you can click on the red button to close it.

On the off chance they don't appear…

First, try Relaunching the Finder by option + right-clicking on it and chose relaunch.

If that doesn't work…

Try booting into Safe Mode then restart normally. Sometimes that will fix anomalies.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

Your signature indicaates you are running macOS 12.5 Monterey on an iMac Pro. Is that correct?

mindscape777 wrote:

Thanks for providing the clarity and the solution. I had to click on each one of them and close the folder :-/

I don't suppose there's any way to prevent them from being hidden as a default is there?

Folders don't hide by default. You have to hide/minimize them manually.

My signature is not correct. I am running macOS 13.7.1 Ventura on iMac Pro.

FWIW, Ventura 13.7.3 is available. You should update if you don't want to upgrade to Sonoma or Sequoia.

Thanks for your help 👍🏽

You're welcome.

I couldn't remember if Stage Manager was available with Ventura. Apparently it is so that could be why you had so many hidden folders. See this page for Stage Manager: Organize your Mac desktop with Stage Manager - Apple Support