Change Recent Items Count in macOS - Easy Guide

Customizing Recent Items Display in OS X El Capitan

Apple’s OS X 10.11 El Capitan introduced a wealth of new functionalities. Amidst the larger updates, several subtle enhancements were implemented without extensive promotion.

One such addition is the capability to modify the quantity of recent items displayed across the operating system.

How Recent Items Work

Typically, OS X maintains a record of recently accessed items, including documents, applications, and connected servers. For instance, the Go menu often presents a list of recently visited folders. By default, this list contains ten entries.

Previously, altering the number of items shown in these lists wasn’t possible. However, El Capitan introduces a new setting within its General preferences.

Adjusting the Number of Recent Items

To personalize the number of recent items displayed, begin by opening System Preferences. Then, select the General category.

Scroll down to the “Recent items” section. The default setting is configured to show ten items.

Clicking on this setting reveals a range of options for controlling the number of recent items. You can disable the feature entirely or choose a different quantity from 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, or 50.

Selecting “None” prevents the accumulation of items in these lists. However, existing items may still require manual clearing.

Privacy and Personalization

For users prioritizing privacy, disabling the display of recent items offers a straightforward solution. Conversely, those who find value in a more extensive recent items list can significantly increase the displayed number beyond the default of ten.

This adjustment represents just one of the many minor, yet impactful, improvements integrated into El Capitan.

Further Enhancements in El Capitan

El Capitan also includes other subtle changes. We’ve previously detailed how to conceal the menu bar, a feature that represents a significant alteration for long-term Mac users.

We encourage you to share your thoughts and questions in our discussion forum.