What are the 4 boxes at the bottom-left of the Finder window for?

[lamina]

what the deal is?

 

[gr8tfly]

When you have the window set to "icon view", it indicates you have the "keep arranged by..." option set.

You can check/set this by going to Finder->View->Show View Options...

 

[4JNA]

indicated 'icon' view is selected. they match the icon view button at the top of the finder window. click on 'list' or 'column' view and they go away as if by magic!

 

[epochblue]

indicated 'icon' view is selected. they match the icon view button at the top of the finder window. click on 'list' or 'column' view and they go away as if by magic!

Well.....there's my "learned something new about my mac today" item. Thanks, guys!