How do I disable the tracking of recently used files?

[raphaell2]

Hi I'm using Xubuntu 18.04. How can I keep my pc from tracking my recently used files? Partly that might be specific for each application, but sometimes applications seem to show me lists of *all* files *any* application has used recently. How can I disable that?

[1fallen]

There is a hidden file ~/.config/gtk-2.0/gtkfilechooser.ini. It should look like:

[Filechooser settings]
LocationMode=path-bar
ShowHidden=false
ShowSizeColumn=true
GeometryX=377
GeometryY=132
GeometryWidth=612
GeometryHeight=528
SortColumn=name
SortOrder=ascending
StartupMode=recent
Where I changed "StartupMode=recent" to "StartupMode=cwd"
And add the line:

DefaultFolder=cwd
EDIT: Replace cwd with "last" if you prefer to start with last selected folder instead.
I think this only works on GTK 2 applications like mousepad etc etc.

This seems to work for GTK3:
To disable the recent files list, add the following to ~/.config/gtk-3.0/settings.ini


[Settings]
gtk-recent-files-enabled=0

[raphaell2]

There is a hidden file ~/.config/gtk-2.0/gtkfilechooser.ini. It should look like:

[Filechooser settings]
LocationMode=path-bar
ShowHidden=false
ShowSizeColumn=true
GeometryX=377
GeometryY=132
GeometryWidth=612
GeometryHeight=528
SortColumn=name
SortOrder=ascending
StartupMode=recent
Where I changed "StartupMode=recent" to "StartupMode=cwd"
And add the line:

DefaultFolder=cwd
I think this only works on GTK 2 applications like mousepad etc etc.


Thank you very much! I've done that now.



This seems to work for GTK3:
To disable the recent files list, add the following to ~/.config/gtk-3.0/settings.ini


[Settings]
gtk-recent-files-enabled=0

There is no setttings.ini file in my .config/gtf-3.0/ folder. The only file in that folder is "bookmarks". Should I create a settings.ini file?

[1fallen]

Thank you very much! I've done that now.



There is no setttings.ini file in my .config/gtf-3.0/ folder. The only file in that folder is "bookmarks". Should I create a settings.ini file?

Yes create it. :) "settings.ini "
I just to verify that you have a typeo "gtf-3.0" should be "gtk-3.0" just to be clear.;)

[raphaell2]

Yes create it. :) "settings.ini "


Thank you, that worked!


I just to verify that you have a typeo "gtf-3.0" should be "gtk-3.0" just to be clear.;)

Oops.

Mods, can we mark this thread as solved now?

[1fallen]

Mods, can we mark this thread as solved now?

Glad that worked :)
You can mark it Solved via your first post Under "Thread Tools" Solved.