10 Finder Hacks Every Mac User Should Know
Discover hidden features of Finder to boost your workflow.
1What is Finder and Why is it Important?
Finder is macOS's file management system, allowing users to access their files. While it appears simple at first glance, it contains many hidden features developed by Apple over the years. These hacks help you use Finder more efficiently and speed up your daily workflow. For example, you can add frequently used folders to Finder's sidebar for quick access.
2Customize the Sidebar
Finder's sidebar provides quick access to frequently used folders and files. You can personalize this list by dragging and dropping folders. For instance, you can reorder items in the 'Favorites' or 'Locations' sections. Additionally, you can remove unused items to keep the sidebar cleaner. This makes your workflow more organized.
3Change the Default Search Location
When searching in Finder, it defaults to showing results from your entire Mac. However, you can change this setting to display results only from the currently open folder. To do this, go to Finder Settings > Advanced and select 'Search the Current Folder' from the dropdown menu. This makes finding files faster.
4Automatically Clean the Trash
Deleted files are moved to your Mac's Trash, which can quickly fill up storage space. To solve this, you can enable automatic deletion of files after 30 days. Go to Finder Settings > Advanced and check 'Remove items from Trash after 30 days.' This helps preserve your storage space.
5Automatically Delete ZIP Files
When you unzip a file, your Mac places the contents in a new folder but doesn't delete the original archive. To automatically delete these files, press Command-Space, search for 'Archive Utility,' and open the app. Then, in the 'Settings' menu, select 'Move archive to Trash' under 'After expanding.' This keeps your folders more organized.
6Preview Folder Contents
macOS's Quick Look feature allows you to preview files without opening them. However, this feature doesn't work for folders. To solve this, you can use a plugin like Folder Preview ($1.99), which lets you preview folder contents. The more advanced Folder Preview Pro ($9.99) offers additional features like copying and pasting files.
7Cut and Paste Files
Users switching from Windows to Mac often miss the cut-and-paste feature for files. While this feature exists on Mac, it's not easily discoverable. You can copy a file using Command-C and then move it to another folder using Command-Option-V. Alternatively, you can use the 'Edit' menu and select 'Move Item Here.' This speeds up file management.
8Show File Extensions
Finder doesn't show file extensions by default, which can pose a security risk. For example, a malicious app might appear as a harmless file. To mitigate this risk, go to Finder Settings > Advanced and enable 'Show all filename extensions.' This makes file types clearer and enhances your security.
Original article: Lifehacker — Mac Kullanıcıları için 10 Finder İpucu