Finder in MacOS 26.0.1 (25A362) will not clear "Recents."

You cannot clear the Recents Smart Folder, but you should be able to uncheck the box in the Finder Settings. You might try relaunching Finder (hold the option and control keys, click on the Finder icon in the Dock then select Relaunch at the bottom of the list).

NusaDua wrote:

Thank you for the reply. I'm only curious: Why does Finder have a "Clear recents" choice if it doesn't work? "Clear recents" works on every other App.

It clears the Recent Folders for me. Please confirm are you looking to clear the "Recent Folders" or the "Recents" Smart Folder? As others have already noted, there is no way to clear the Recents Smart Folder.

NusaDua wrote:

As in the screenshot I posted, I go to Finder / Settings and try to untag "Recents" and the blue checkmark will not go away. It will on every other item on the list, just not "Recents."

Appartently, Apple says 1) You're required to have "Recents" at the Top of Finder. You have no choice.

Apple doesn't require it.

It's true that you cannot clear those items, but it's a quirk of your system that you cannot seem to uncheck the box.

There is another way to remove items from the sidebar, have you tried just dragging it off? If you single-click a sidebar item and drag it sufficiently far from the folder, an (X) should appear under the item and if you release the click at that point, the item should be gone from your sidebar.

If that doesn't help, see if the problem is present when you boot in safe mode, which disables 3rd party extensions and performs some system cleanup.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

NusaDua wrote:

Finder / Go / Recents Folder / Clear menu -- does not work. Nothing happens. Recents is filled with files from ages and ages ago.

ALSO, Finder / Setting -- the "Recents" folder will not uncheck.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/fa1ea2a7-fd07-422a-b5a5-09439cf36053

[Edited by Moderator]

re: <Recents in the sidebar>

This is basically a smart folder, it takes up no additional storage. The macOS manages this... I see stuff going back to 2017. I never look at .

You can remove it from the Finder sidebar.

This is different then the Finder>Go> Recents Folder>Clear recents (scroll to the bottom)

I never look at this either, but I did just clear it for a test case...

if you're not confused, you don't understand the situation! haha haaa

you can submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

NusaDua wrote:

I agree! "if you're not confused, you don't understand the situation!"

As in the screenshot I posted, I go to Finder / Settings and try to untag "Recents" and the blue checkmark will not go away. It will on every other item on the list, just not "Recents."

And yes, as I posted, I go to "Finder / GO / Recents Folder / Clear Menu but the "Recents" at the TOP of Finder remains populated with a mess.

Appartently, Apple says 1) You're required to have "Recents" at the Top of Finder. You have no choice.

2) You are not allowed to clear the items in "Recents" that we don't allow you NOT to have.

No choice?

—Uncheck the setting

—Remove it off the menubar holding the Control key and click on it...remove

—Drag it anywhere you want if on the top is what bugs you (holding the Command key)

I see no issue here really— you have options, including submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple