5 easy ways to turn MacOS Finder into a way better file manager

I exploit the MacOS Finder every day to handle my recordsdata and folders. It is a useful software — and one of many higher file managers I exploit, however that does not imply Finder is configured ideally out of the field. With just some easy tweaks, you may make working along with your recordsdata and folders even simpler and extra productive.

I wish to share with you ways I’ve personalized Finder, as a result of I think these similar adjustments will assist simplify your every day routine. Every of the following pointers may be completed in seconds — and simply reverted when you do not just like the outcomes.

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The one factor you may want for that is an updated MacOS device. 

Let’s get to the ideas!

1. Add the trail bar and standing bar

Finder would not default to displaying the trail bar and the standing bar. The trail bar makes it simple to maneuver across the file system. With out the trail bar, it’s a must to use both the menu system or keyboard shortcuts to navigate backward, which may waste treasured time if you’re busy. The standing bar in the meantime informs you if something is chosen, how a lot house is accessible in your arduous drive, and even provides a slider that allows you to improve or lower the icon measurement for recordsdata and folders.

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How do you add these? Easy. Open Finder, click on the View menu, click on Present Path Bar, after which click on Present Standing Bar. That is it! With these enabled, you may discover interacting with Finder a lot simpler.

2. Add the Toolbar

The Toolbar provides not solely the highest drop-downs (the place you’ll be able to configure your views, sorting, and looking) but in addition the Sidebar (which is a should if you’d like fast entry to particular folders and tags). With out the Toolbar, Finder is not practically as helpful. In the event you open Finder and solely see a easy window containing recordsdata and folders, the Toolbar is not enabled. Belief me after I inform you that you really want the Toolbar added.

So as to add the Toolbar, open Finder and click on View > Present Toolbar.

3. Add your arduous drive

Whenever you open Finder, you will not discover your arduous drive listed. I perceive why Apple would not wish to embrace this — as a result of there are folders containing essential recordsdata that should not be messed with (until you understand what you are doing). Nonetheless, with the arduous drive hidden, it may be a bit difficult to navigate to particular folders (until you’ve got added them to the sidebar). 

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I desire the comfort of including the arduous drive to the sidebar, however it’s a bit tough — and it’s essential to have the trail bar added first. This is easy methods to add your arduous drive to Finder.

1. Open Finder, click on Go, after which Go To Folder.
2. Within the ensuing pop-up, kind / and hit Enter.
3. Click on and maintain CMD after which click on the Macintosh HD icon close to the underside left nook of the view pane.
4. Drag the Macintosh HD icon to the Favorites part.

It is best to now see the Macintosh HD itemizing within the sidebar.

4. Add particular folders to Favorites

Equally to including the arduous drive to the Finder Favorites part within the sidebar, you’ll be able to add any folder you want. Do that in the identical manner that you simply added the HD icon: press and maintain CMD, click on the folder you wish to add, after which drag and drop it to the Favorites part.

I add any folder I recurrently use to the sidebar, so I do not continually should navigate the file system to entry that folder. This may be particularly useful when a folder is nested deep inside a number of folders.

5. Use tags

Tags are extremely useful as a result of they allow you to add a number of classes to a file or folder. Say, as an illustration, you’ve gotten a music file that you simply not solely hearken to but in addition use for video clips. You may create a tag referred to as Video Belongings after which tag that file with each Music and Video Belongings. By doing this, the file will seem when you choose both a type of tags. You’ll be able to add as many tags to a file or folder as crucial.

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So as to add a tag to a folder, find the folder and right-click (or two-finger faucet) it. Choose Tags. Within the ensuing pop-up, you’ll be able to both add a present tag or kind the title for a brand new tag. You can even choose a colour to affiliate with a brand new tag. As soon as you’ve got typed the title of the brand new tag and chosen an optionally available colour, hit Enter in your keyboard and the tag is full. You’ll be able to add as many tags as you wish to a file or folder. 

As soon as you’ve got added tags, they’re going to seem within the sidebar. Click on a tag to disclose any/all recordsdata/folders which have been assigned to that tag.

And there you’ve gotten it: You have supercharged your MacOS Finder workflow. It is best to now discover this software far simpler and extra environment friendly to make use of.