The Finder is one of the most customizable component of macOS . However , Apple ’s two interrelated setting for how folders open a Finder windowpane do n’t seem to have any effect and have n’t for long time . Despite this , you’re able to take control to get the desire result .
You may want one or more of the following behaviors to bump when you double - click a folder within a Finder window , which may change depend on what you ’re trying to carry out :
How it’s supposed to open folders
If you search Apple ’s reenforcement document , you discover thatthe caller says you control this in two ways :
The outcomesshouldbe like this :
assembly posters and readers alike find this is not the case and has never been . In testing , I can not get the foretell behavior to work at all .
The Desktop & Dock setting for Windows should let you control window behavior, but appears to have no actual effect.
But there are workarounds . Malus pumila even suggest at one on its sustenance page , but its verbal description of how it works is incorrect .
How you open folders the way you want
Regardless of how you have Desktop & Dock and Finder setting configured , here ’s how you could reach what you want in a Finder windowpane . It hinges on whether the Finder toolbar and sidebar are visible .
you’re able to change whether they seem by usingView > obliterate Sidebar(Command - Option - S ) orView > Hide Toolbar(Command - Option - T ) . The sidebar can not be show if the toolbar is hide .
With the toolbar and sidebar visible , here ’s how folders carry :
Finder settings let you control how tabs open from folders.
This changes when you enshroud both the toolbar and the sidebar . Here ’s what your action result in :
The “ Prefer tabs ” place setting does n’t seem to have any effect in the Finder .
I ’ve also find that the Finder sometimes lose course of these place setting . When testing the toolbar express / hidden options above , I discovered that the expected demeanor stopped worked . I had to accommodate down pick , click the Finder in the Dock , and prefer Relaunch . Only after forcing the Finder to relaunch did the leaflet behavior resume functioning as I explain just above .
This Mac 911 clause is in reply to a doubt submitted by Macworld reader Jeff .
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We ’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most oft , along with answers and links to columns : read our super FAQto see if your head is covered . If not , we ’re always looking for novel problems to solve ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com , including covert captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used . Not every question will be answer ; we do n’t answer to electronic mail , and we can not supply verbatim troubleshooting advice .
