Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
If you are also new to the macOS ecosystem, then you might have a similar question in mind. Ideally, Mac Finder is one of the most important components of the operating system. It would be the first thing that you will see on your Mac and probably the most useful one as well. From navigating your Mac's system to accessing numerous shortcuts, it will come in handy to you time and time again.
In this guide, we will teach you how to open Finder on Mac or use it like a pro. Let's discuss every essential thing about Finder on Mac in this informative guide.
In a nutshell, Finder is the native graphical user interface and file manager on Mac. There is a main Finder menu bar that stays static at the top of the screen. It consists of various options to let us access all kinds of features on Mac. Apart from that, Finder also acts as a file manager (like Windows Explorer). The left panel usually has the directory of files and shortcuts while the right side displays the stored content and files instead.
Therefore, it lets us browse all the saved data and existing directories on Mac. Besides that, you can create new files and folders via MacBook Finder as well. You can also visit a specific location through the Mac Finder search. With the release of macOS Mojave, Finder got a new interface. You can even preview your files and documents on the side panel for a better browsing experience.
Now when you know how important Mac Finder is, let's learn where is Finder on Mac and how to access it. Since Finder is one of the most important components on Mac, its shortcut is present on the dock by default. Though, you can also access it via the Finder main menu at the top panel of the screen as well.
As you can see, Mac Finder can help you in so many ways on a frequent basis. To help you make the most of macOS X Finder, we have quickly discussed its major elements and features.
The Mac finder shortcut is present on the dock and is depicted by the happy Mac icon. You can just click it to access the File Finder on Mac. Apart from that, MacBook Finder provides tons of keyboard shortcuts as well for easy access to its frequent features.
Apart from this, there are tons of other Mac Finder shortcuts that you can further explore.
If you want to save your time and have a better Finder Mac experience, then consider using its preview pane. In case if the feature is not turned on, then go to the Finder's main menu > View and click on the "Show Preview" option. Afterward, when you launch the Finder, you can get a preview of your photos, videos, documents, etc. on the side panel. The preview pane has been redesigned with the macOS Mojave release, including some basic editing options as well.
You can also customize the way files are displayed on Finder. On the toolbar of Finder, you can view different display options like an icon, list, column, and cover flow. You can select the option of your choice or even use the above-listed shortcuts. Press the Command and either of the 1/2/3/4 numeric keys to change the view.
To further customize the macOS X Finder look, you can go to its main menu > View > Show View Options. Here, you can change the icon size, grid spacing, and other view options on Finder.
The sidebar on File Finder Mac is one of its most useful features. Ideally, the sidebar features favorite locations, tags, shortcuts, etc. You can also customize the sidebar of the Finder Window on Mac for a better experience. Just go to Finder > Preferences > Sidebar to access these features. You can also just drag a folder and drop it on the sidebar to add its quick access.
The search bar makes it easier for us to find certain files and folders quickly, even without knowing their exact location. The search bar is already present at the top-right corner of the Mac Finder. If not, you can press the Command + F keys to launch the Mac Finder search. Just click on it and type the name of the file or folder you wish to look for and get the relevant results displayed.
If you want, you can also get rid of any file or folder by using Mac Finder too. Simply launch Finder on Mac and look for the data you wish to delete. You can take the assistance of the search bar to do the same. Select the files or folders and right-click. From the context menu, click on the "Move to Trash" option to delete the selected content.
Finder can be used in numerous other ways, apart from the above-listed components and features. If you want to make the most of Mac Finder, then consider following these smart tips.
We have already provided a solution on where is finder on Mac. All you need to do is locate it and double-click to open it. You can also take the assistance of keyboard shortcuts like Command + F to open Finder. If you can't see the Mac Finder icon on the dock, then don't worry and follow these steps:
If there is some issue with the Finder window on Mac, then you can easily fix it by re-launching it.
Both Spotlight and Finder have advanced search options to narrow the results on the basis of different filters.
If there is a particular folder that you access on a frequent basis, then you can also make it a default choice on Finder. In this way, when you would launch Finder, it will automatically open the default folder first.
One of the best things about file Finder on Mac is that it allows us to rename multiple files in a single batch. In this way, you can save your time and make a collective set of files to organize them. Though, if you want, you can undo the renaming in a jiffy.
While browsing the Finder window on Mac, you must have seen the "All my Files" option. Too often, it is the default window in Finder that displays all the files stored in Mac. The option is also listed on Finder's sidebar as well that you can show or hide anytime you want.
Even though it is quite easy to use a Mac finder, chances are that you might encounter some unwanted issues. To make things easier for you, we have listed some common Mac finder problems with their fixes.
The Mac finder search tab is one of its most resourceful features that can help us look for any file or folder on the system. If the search option is not responding or is being slow, then follow these smart solutions.
This is the easiest solution to fix Mac Finder search issues. Just close Finder as of now or choose to force quit it. Later, you can go to the dock menu, right-click the Mac finder icon, and choose to relaunch it instead.
As you know, there are numerous ways to look for something on Mac's Finder search. You can use the advanced search options to look for a file of specific containers, extensions, keywords, etc. In case if the search option doesn't seem to work, then you can click on the "–" minus sign and delete a sub-query. Also, make sure that you have entered the right query to start with.
If nothing else would seem to work and fix the Mac finder search, then you should consider visiting its Preferences instead. Go to the Advanced options in Finder Preferences and click on the dropdown menu for the "When performing the search" option. Ideally, it should be the current folder you are in. Change the settings from here to a preferred selection to fix the Mac finder search.
Too many times, the Mac Finder becomes unresponsive due to different reasons. In order to have a better Finder Mac experience, follow these suggestions.
Needless to say, if your MacBook Finder is not responding, then you should forcefully close it. We have already provided a smart solution on how to close the finder on Mac above. Apart from that, you can also launch Activity Monitor on Mac from its dock. Here, you can check if Finder is being responsive or not. If you want, you can just select the Finder option and close it from here.
As you know, Terminal is a dedicated core component in Mac that allows us to pass certain commands to the system. Therefore, if you can't learn how to quit finder on Mac, then take the assistance of the Terminal instead. Just go to the Spotlight and look for Terminal. Launch the application and enter the command "killall -KILL Finder" to quit Finder on Mac.
If you think there is a problem with the Finder settings instead, then type the following command: rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
If even after resetting Finder, it still seems to malfunction, then you can try to restart the Mac. To do this, go to the Apple menu > Restart and confirm your choice. You can also press the Command + Shift + Power keys at the same time to do it.
This is another common query that a lot of Mac users ask us lately. If your system is running full on storage or you are using an outdated macOS version, then the Mac finder can become slow. Here's how you can fix the Mac Finder slow issue in no time.
If your Mac system is running low on free space, then it can make Finder slow or unresponsive. Simply go to the desktop and click on the Apple logo > About This Mac and visit the "Storage" tab. Here, you can see how much space is available on Mac. If there is not enough free space, then you can get rid of some files and make more available storage on Mac.
As we have discussed above, you can just close Finder on Mac and launch it once again from the dock. If you are lucky, it would fix the Mac finder slow issue automatically.
A lot of Mac users have come up with this fix to the Mac finder slow problem on their own. If you want to try the same, then open Spotlight and look for "~/Library/Preferences/". In this way, you can visit the Preferences folder on Mac. Here, you need to look for the file "com.apple.finder.plist" from the available list. Select it, right-click, and move it to trash. Once it is done, restart your Mac and check if it makes Finder responsive again or not.
By now, you must be able to make the most of Mac Finder and all the features that it offers. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Finder on Mac that will further help you clear your doubts.
One of the best things about the Finder Window on Mac is its "All My Files" feature. When you launch a file Finder on Mac, you can go to the sidebar and click on the "All My Files" option. This will display all folders and files on the right. Apart from that, you can also click on Go > Go to Folder button on the Finder menu and type "~/Library". This will let you view the entire library with all the saved files and folders.
Mac provides fast and smart solutions to organize the data on Finder. You can just click on the "Sort by" button on the toolbar to get several options. From here, you can choose to organize the data on the basis of various parameters – name, file type, last opened, and so on.
This is a common query of people working on the column view of Finder on Mac. If the column width is too small for your data, then just double-click on the column divider button at the bottom. This will realign the width of the column and make it accessible for you to view your files easily.
A while back, Mac introduced a "clean up" feature which arranges the file temporarily. You can sort files in different ways using this feature. Though, this would only be a temporary solution as the files will be restored to their original arrangement once Finder is closed. Simply select Finder and from the main menu go to View > "Clean Up By" option. From here, you can select a preferred way to clean up the files.
That's a wrap, everyone! After reading this guide, you would be able to make the most of Mac Finder for sure. It is certainly one of the most important components in Mac that can help you in more ways than you can imagine. The guide would have certainly answered questions like where is Finder on Mac or how to use Finder on Mac like a pro. Apart from that, if you are familiar with any other pro tip related to macOS X Finder, then share it with us in the comments below.
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