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The recent files section is showing many system files, how can it be cleaned up?

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Here's my current search criteria

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I couldn't limit it to specific folders

Here's what I tried so far. I couldn't find a variable which represents the full path.

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Which property contains the full path?

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  • Well of course they are going to show up as this is a specific search query you have setup. This is not the same as the Finder's own Recents. Indeed, that is called Recents, not Recent files. You will need to clarify what you are asking and try to focus on one question.
    – Andy Griffiths
    Oct 14, 2022 at 19:39
  • There is no searchable file path property offered by Finder. However, you might be able to narrow those results further in a way that may partially help you using other criteria such as those mentioned in this answer to another search question on this site.
    – Alper
    Oct 14, 2022 at 19:42
  • To exclude system files, add this search criterion: System files aren't included
    – Gilby
    Oct 15, 2022 at 6:59
  • HoudahSpot (which uses the spotlight index) will search specific folders.
    – Gilby
    Oct 15, 2022 at 7:01
  • 1
    Please don't cross-post to multiple SE sites. Pick one & stick to it, or flag for migration. Is cross-posting a question on multiple Stack Exchange sites permitted if the question is on-topic for each site? - superuser.com/questions/1747483/…
    – Tetsujin
    Oct 15, 2022 at 7:31

1 Answer 1

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  1. Navigate to the folder you want to be the target.
  2. Create a New search from there.

The location will be shown above the search criteria.

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  • I need to pick several folders, that's why this solution is not ideal for me
    – unloco
    Oct 15, 2022 at 14:05
  • It seems that you are suggesting going into a specific folder to include it in the search. What if there are folders to be searched that is not within that folder? Do you suggest the OP owner go into each and every of them and repeat the search?
    – Alper
    Oct 15, 2022 at 14:06
  • @Alper The question is fairly broad and doesn't explicitly say that.
    – benwiggy
    Oct 15, 2022 at 14:35
  • @unloco Can you describe you use case in a bit more detail? How many files are you modifying 'recently', outside of system files, for which you need separate search areas?
    – benwiggy
    Oct 15, 2022 at 14:36
  • The title of the post is "Limit recent files to specific folder(s)" which implies multiple folders and it is quite reasonable to assume that they may not be all under one folder other than a high level one such as "Documents".
    – Alper
    Oct 15, 2022 at 14:38

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