Am I doing something wrong? I can't find anything with the Command F or find file window. I can know where a file is, its name/type/size/creation date, but this window no longer works. Is it just me? Or does the 'finder' no longer care about finding files?
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Finder can't find anything
- Thread starter SiII5mb
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There's a better way to "find" things:
EasyFind:
www.devontechnologies.com
It works great and it's FREE.
EasyFind:
DEVONtechnologies | Needful Things
A little collection of free utilities for the Mac to make your life easier.
It works great and it's FREE.
Was Spotlight introduced when volume journaling ended? Now I remember why I can't find anything anymore!! Thanks Gregg2
OP:
If you haven't tried EasyFind, as I mentioned above, I suggest you at least try it...
If you haven't tried EasyFind, as I mentioned above, I suggest you at least try it...
Last edited:
What is the 'cmd FIND' option in the finder menu even for these days? And why does Apple want to rely on 3rd party shareware for the most fundamental part of its OS finding files stored its customers computers
In a folder on my Mac or 'Macintosh HD' which is an option in the cmd Find dialogue to search on
Does that really matter to the goal of getting it to work the way you want it to? I've never had an issue with using Finder. It meets my needs. If you have unmet needs, lamenting a decision by Apple isn't going to solve them.
I have no issues with using it. One thing to bear in mind is that Finder doesn't search the contents of the Library folders unless you are inside that folder already. Hidden files are also excluded. Also, depending on your preference settings, the search will be limited to the current folder (and its subfolders); the entire Mac; or "the previous search scope".
I'm wondering if you are confused about something. When I press CMD-F, Finder switches to the search results view, but the focus for the keyboard doesn't actually switch to the search box in the toolbar. Are you simply pressing CMD-F and not typing anything, or trying to type but getting nothing because you didn't click in the search box where you enter the actual text? For the record, I think it's absurd that the focus for the keyboard doesn't automatically jump to that box.
EDIT: if you are using it correctly, then maybe try rebuilding the Spotlight index. You can do this with the freebie Onyx.
I can know the name of the file I want to find and know where on my HD it is located but the finder's FIND never ever finds anything on 'this Mac' or even a specified location such as an external HD. What exactly is cmd F for anymore and when did apple decide that their customers no longer needed to locate files they have created and may need to 'FIND'? It's a pretty simple intrinsic part of an OS to locate customers files or folders on the machine they've purchased
I assume you have read every support document webpage at Apple pertaining to finding files and Spotlight in your particular version of macOS.
So, if you could link to the support document and explain precisely what, in that particular document, isn't working the way Apple is explaining it…that would be very helpful for those here to understand exactly what you are talking about.
So, if you could link to the support document and explain precisely what, in that particular document, isn't working the way Apple is explaining it…that would be very helpful for those here to understand exactly what you are talking about.
It works for me and everyone else. Third party tools are useful with their advanced search options, but not required. I advised a troubleshooting step and others have asked for the particulars of what it is and where it is you are trying to find. We can't help you troubleshoot this if all you have to do is gripe.
Little update to this. I thought this behavior was some Ventura bug, but it isn't a problem on my iMac running the same. Pressing CMD-F puts the focus in my search box as it should. I had to trash the Finder preference plist and restart Finder to get it working as expected again.
'Gripe'? As I mentioned I can create a file and know the exact folder location of that file on the HD but the FIND function will not show me or FIND that file on either the built in HD or any external drives. I'm sorry you can't solve this simple issue without becoming antagonistic and defensive
This has also fixed broken search in Outlook or broken Search in Finder after Migrating to a new Mac:
Open Finder and go to Applications - Utilities - Terminal and type the following commands (Press Enter after typing each command).
Note: When prompted for a password, please type the Mac user password. This would be invisible. Please type the same and hit enter.
Once done, restart the Mac computer.
Checking Indexing Status open Spotlight ( cmd + space ) type indexing:
![Image]( "Image")
-a Apply command to all stores on all volumes.
-i (on|off) Turn indexing on or off.
but then indexing for preboot was off what can be fixed with:
Once done, restart the mac computer.
Control with:
should look like:
Password:
/:
Indexing enabled.
/System/Volumes/Data:
Indexing enabled.
/System/Volumes/Preboot:
Indexing enabled.
So it may be also fixed with a more precise approach:
I do not use external Tools as the Search in the Finder is able to find in File Text Elements also Code that even BBedit does not find in open Files.
Open Finder and go to Applications - Utilities - Terminal and type the following commands (Press Enter after typing each command).
Note: When prompted for a password, please type the Mac user password. This would be invisible. Please type the same and hit enter.
Bash:
sudo mdutil -a -i off
Bash:
sudo mdutil -a -i onOnce done, restart the Mac computer.
Checking Indexing Status open Spotlight ( cmd + space ) type indexing:
-a Apply command to all stores on all volumes.
-i (on|off) Turn indexing on or off.
but then indexing for preboot was off what can be fixed with:
Bash:
sudo mdutil -X /System/Volumes/PrebootControl with:
Bash:
sudo mdutil -sa
Bash:
➜ ~ sudo mdutil -sa/:
Indexing enabled.
/System/Volumes/Data:
Indexing enabled.
/System/Volumes/Preboot:
Indexing enabled.
So it may be also fixed with a more precise approach:
Bash:
sudo mdutil -i off /System/Volumes/Data
Bash:
sudo mdutil -i on /System/Volumes/DataI do not use external Tools as the Search in the Finder is able to find in File Text Elements also Code that even BBedit does not find in open Files.
First off, it's been well over a year since this conversation started and ended. Well stalled. Secondly. it's not on us to "solve" it for you. "We" are not Apple. And as stated, we cannot help you if you can't provide the details asked for. If pointing out that you keep failing to do so marks me as antagonistic and defensive, then antagonistic and defensive I am. Anywho, good luck to you.