Help with Finder

[KettyKrueger]

Hey all

Long time Mac user here...I've always found Finder difficult to use, and I'm not seeking help to resolve my issues. Grateful for any advise on solving the following problems:

1. When I open Finder, it always opens in a tiny window - is there any way to have it open in a larger window?
2. I find 'column' the quickest and easiest way to navigate around but I have to resize the column to read the file contents - is there any way to have to auto-set the wedge based on the filenames?
3. When moving files, the default behaviour is to 'copy' rather than 'move' - is there a way to change this?
4. This ties in with my point point; the way I have it laid out is never saved - again, any way to change this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gregg2]

1. It seems that with Monterey, there is a default size that windows open in. I haven't had it for long, and don't know a way around this.

2. I don't use Column View. But see #4 below. This might apply. I'll need help from someone who uses Column View.

3. No way to change the default behavior, but if you hold down Option, it will reverse the default. The default is to Copy when the destination is not on the same drive. It will Move the file/folder if the destination is on the same drive as it's present location.

4. Yes. You have to change the Sort By selection. Right click on the window to see that, and then your options. This can also be done in Show View Options. In there, you'll find various things to adjust, and a Use As Default button. That will save all your "tweaks" in that window, and should also apply them to any folder within the one you're viewing. The exception to this is that any folder that you have already customized will not be changed. So, say you just got a new Mac and set it up. If you open the top level Documents folder and make adjustments in Show View Options before customizing any folder, then all folders should conform to your settings.

Well, for 3 and 4, at least that's the way it's been for many years. Being new to Monterey, I suppose they might have changed this on me, but I'd be surprised if that is the case.

 

[Fishrrman]

I realize it's a "pay for" app, but have you looked at "Pathfinder" ...?

 

[macbookm1airlover]

For #1, I'm not sure of a way to automatically launch it full screen, but the shortcut that I use immediately after opening is Control-CMD-F. Takes less than a second!

 

[Gregg2]

That Ctl-Cmd-F trick would be great if it just enlarged the window to almost Fullscreen, allowing you to then open another window.

So I just opened my Macintosh HD window and resized it, closed it, and reopened it. The size change stuck, but I bet that it won't after a Restart.

 

[PowerPCFan]

The size change stuck, but I bet that it won't after a Restart.

why do you have to restart? There's sleep mode.

 

[Gregg2]

It’s not necessary to restart as often as I do, but I think it’s a good idea for everyone to do it once in awhile.

 

[PowerPCFan]

It’s not necessary to restart as often as I do, but I think it’s a good idea for everyone to do it once in awhile.

I usually unplug everything before leaving to go on vacation (don't ask why, I don't know) so that's about once a month. Seems like restarting once a month works well for me!

 

[Madhatter32]

When I open Finder, it always opens in a tiny window - is there any way to have it open in a larger window?

You can enable the Macintosh HD icon on the desktop to open a finder window. You enable it in finder preferences and I find that the window will open to as large a window as you last left it. The icon will always appear on the desktop.

 

[Gregg2]

You can enable the Macintosh HD icon on the desktop to open a finder window. You enable it in finder preferences and I find that the window will open to as large a window as you last left it. The icon will always appear on the desktop.

That is correct, but the window resizing does not hold after a Restart, in Monterey anyway.