Can not delete files in recent:///

Support & Help Requests
1

Why is it that I can not delete files in

recent:///

?

2

Because they are not files. They are pointers.

2 Likes
3

Presumably, that is browser-based. There should be a preference setting that would let you suppress the "recent" tracking, likely associated with "History".

1 Like
4

2. Modifying Settings File (Advanced):

  • You can also modify the settings file ~/.config/gtk-3.0/settings.ini to disable history tracking. Add the following lines to the file (create it if it doesn't exist):

Code

     [Settings]     gtk-recent-files-max-age=0     gtk-recent-files-limit=0
  • Then, remove the file holding the recently used data: rm ~/.local/share/recently-used.xbel.

These steps will help you manage and clear your recent files history in Ubuntu MATE.

1 Like
Restore my recent:/// files
5

Keep in mind that some of that "recent" capability is built into each App. Some use the central OS shared-point, others do not.

2 Likes
6

caja has Recent Documents at the bottom with a submenu to clear Recent Documents.

image
image343×106 37.3 KB

After clearing docs, the option is greyed out.

image

3 Likes
7

I think Andy's issue is that, unless "blocked", the next "open" instance creates a "recent" entry, which then un-greys the Recent Documents. :frowning:

1 Like
8

I made a mistake for that post you found for me.

The Recent directory shows no files. I want it to show files again.

(I have "cognitive impairment.")

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<xbel version="1.0"
      xmlns:bookmark="http://www.freedesktop.org/standards/desktop-bookmarks"
      xmlns:mime="http://www.freedesktop.org/standards/shared-mime-info"
>
  <bookmark href="recent:///" added="2025-09-01T03:59:27.053992Z" modified="2025-09-01T03:59:27.053999Z" visited="2025-09-01T03:59:27.053993Z">
    <info>
      <metadata owner="http://freedesktop.org">
        <mime:mime-type type="application/octet-stream"/>
        <bookmark:applications>
          <bookmark:application name="Thunar" exec="&apos;thunar %u&apos;" modified="2025-09-01T03:59:27.053996Z" count="1"/>
        </bookmark:applications>
      </metadata>
    </info>
  </bookmark>
  <bookmark href="file:///home/andy/.local/share/recently-used.xbel" added="2025-09-01T04:01:40.451451Z" modified="2025-09-01T04:01:40.451459Z" visited="2025-09-01T04:01:40.451452Z">
    <info>
      <metadata owner="http://freedesktop.org">
        <mime:mime-type type="application/xml"/>
        <bookmark:groups>
          <bookmark:group>geany</bookmark:group>
        </bookmark:groups>
        <bookmark:applications>
          <bookmark:application name="geany" exec="&apos;geany %u&apos;" modified="2025-09-01T04:01:40.451456Z" count="1"/>
        </bookmark:applications>
      </metadata>
    </info>
  </bookmark>
</xbel>


[Settings]
     gtk-recent-files-max-age=7
     gtk-recent-files-limit=0