Couldn't find 'All My File' on Finder's sidebar

Mominmauritius wrote:

Ok! I have set up a new folder and made the search criteria last opened date within last 2 days /kind is document /created within last 2 days/ modified same and I’m only getting one .docx story and not a new chapter on my book created today

What is the specific criteria you created? Screenshot might be helpful.

From the OP

I found this shortcut is very helpful

From you:

Just because you and others didn't find it useful, doesn't mean the rest of us thought it should go away.

Why is it that everyone here can have an opinion on a feature, except those of us who regularly contribute?

Yes but All My Files was sorted by file size, so it was a very fast way to check your movies and images and apps to see what was the fattest thing you could delete to free up more drive space. The search you're recommending doesn't give you a file size.

Yes but All My Files was sorted by file size

I'm pretty sure it sorted by date modified, but any folder can be sorted and arranged however you'd like with no more than two mouse clicks. You likely changed yours to by size. The folder will keep your desired sort and arrangement.

I also discovered that under About This Mac (since Sierra), there is now a Storage button, that offers a Reduce Clutter option, that gives you a list of your largest and oldest untouched files. Only problem is that it does not give you a thumbnail so if you don't recognize your file name, you have to click to inspect each one.

Hi Bob - Did you specify 'document' in the 'any' options? I just created a 'Test' blank MS Word doc and saved it to my desktop, checked new smart folder (created as per Barney's instructions) and it immediately appeared - but sure enough, it isn't in 'Recents."

but sure enough, it isn't in 'Recents."

It won't because Office doesn't write the kMDItemLastUsedDate metadata when it creates files. Some Apple apps and processes also do not write the metadata on creation, but, as far as I can tell, most do.

Agree. It was a way to very quickly check your files, by type and size, to be reminded that you had a big video file you'd completely forgotten about or that audio interview from work or two old copies of Photoshop that were taking up a lot of disk space.

<semi-off-topic>Seems like I am glad I have not upgraded to High Sierra; this seems useless. I have not found a solution to my All My Files problem in Sierra itself; I suddenly got extra copies of a file after I simply used “get info” on it. Still searching!

Thanks Barney, Question

I'm not seeing an obvious step to create the label "Barney"; I see the defaults This Mac, HD512 etc

Correction;

Oh, ok, I first create a New folder, name it as I like, then Command-F

Thanks for instructions.

This feature in Finder was the only one that was useful to me and saved me from wasting time navigating through folders in Finder. Otherwise Finder's structure is a poor replacement for what Window does the so efficiently when you need to find your file and folders.

With all its advantages over Windows, this (file saving/retrieving) is one of the areas that MAC is lacking terribly.

Otherwise Finder's structure is a poor replacement for what Window does the so efficiently when you need to find your file and folders.

I spend most of may time on Windows trying to find files that I think I know where I stored them. I never have a problem on macOS.

Must be utilizing your Windows and Mac for a different purpose than I do.

The folder and file utility and functionality in Windows is much superior than in Mac. In Mac it is an awkward work around with many sidebars and saved searches, etc. manouvers just to find your files.

But maybe I will get better at Mac.

Must be utilizing your Windows and Mac for a different purpose than I do.

Well, maybe you can help me.

I drag a file onto a folder in the Favorites (?) section and it just sits there. Nothing opens so I can drop the file into a subfolder.

So, I scroll down to the bottom and drag it over a line there, but I have to pop open the drive, then a subfolder, and another, and another until I'm finally at the folder I have in the favorites and I can drop into the subfolder. Then, it doesn't close itself up.

On my Mac, I just drag the file over the top of one of my Favorites in the sidebar, it pops open, and I drop the file into the desired subfolder. Then, it all closes back up. How do I get that simple functionality on Windows?

From your description you are using your files differently than I do.

I have no use for my favorite. The files I use constantly change, I download attachments and work on them, and many other different things that Window does better for me in accessing those files with one click.

Mac has its great features that why I use it along side the Windows. But neither one is perfect.

Mac starts on a dime which makes it great to get going. But there are some very important programs from MS and others like Nuance PDF's that simply run inferior in functionality on Mac vs Windows and that's why I also use a fast PC.

In short, I like Apple products but find them lacking in some areas. I also use Both an iPhone and a Samsung S8. Now again iPhone is a great and reliable phone but still has shortcomings which Samsung S8 does not.

BTW, you might have heard that Mac will be discontinued before long, it's in the cards for apple to push iPad Pro.

Anyway, I am an engineer and not religious about any system or machine, They are all tools and get obsolete before long.