Settings & keep-time · Keep-time and retention

What can I change in the Recycle Vault settings?

Short answer: In the Recycle Vault's settings you can set how much it may hold on your Mac while the drive is away (5 GB default), versions kept per file (5 default) and its share of the external drive (20% default).

Open the Recycle Vault and click its settings button. You can change three limits:

  • Hold up to … GB on this Mac when the drive is away — 5 GB by default, from 1 to 200 GB.
  • Keep up to … versions of each file — 5 by default, from 1 to 50.
  • Use at most …% of the external drive — 20% by default, from 5% to 80%.

The same sheet has a Where it's kept section explaining where your removed files are. Recoverable items are kept for about 6 months whatever you choose.

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