Everything You Must Know About Using ‘Finder’ on Mac

 

One of the most important elements of using Mac is the Finder. It enables you to access all the documents, files, folders on your computer or iCloud Drive. You might have a question that the ‘Spotlight Search’ feature of Mac does the same. So, why is there a need to use ‘Finder?’

You need to know that using the Spotlight Search is a great way to access apps, settings, and more. However, Finder simplifies the process by combining the storage components in one place to make them easily accessible.

Notably, not everyone uses Finder at its best. Therefore, the potential that the feature has remains unused. Do you want to know more about taking control of the Finder app? Here’s everything you need to know!

Before moving further, you must know the methods to open the Finder to access files. Thus, the three methods are mentioned below:

• Open the desktop window on your Mac and click on the ‘File’ tab in the menu bar. A drop-down menu will open. Select the ‘New Finder Window’ option.
• Locate the ‘Finder’ option on the Dock and click on the same.

Note: The icon looks like a smiling face.

• Keep your desktop window selected and use the keyboard shortcut ‘Command + N’ to open the Finder window.

Customizing the Finder Toolbar

Interestingly, the Finder toolbar offers various tools that you can use to customize the bar according to your preference. Not only this, but it also enables you to change the Finder’s view. The steps to customize the Finder toolbar are:

1. Launch a New Finder Window.
2. Double-tap on the toolbar of the Finder window.
3. A drop-down menu will open. Select the ‘Customize Toolbar’ option.
4. Drag the tools on the bar to add the same.
5. Once you’ve added the tools to the bar, hit the ‘Done’ button.

Using Quick Look from the Toolbar

After you’ve added the Quick Look tool to the toolbar, you can use the same to quickly look at the documents, photos, and more that are added to the Finder. The steps to use the Quick Look are:

1. Launch the Finder window.
2. Locate the file which you want to view using the Quick Look tool and tap on the same.
3. Click on the Quick Look icon on the Finder’s toolbar. On the other hand, you can press the ‘Space’ button on your keyboard.

Using Info Button from the Toolbar

The Info button is used to get information on any item added to the Finder. Therefore, the steps to use the same are:

1. Launch the Finder window.
2. Select the item for which you want to use the Info button.
3. Click on the Info button in the toolbar.

Viewing or Hiding Hard Disks, External Disks, CDs, and Connected Servers on Your Desktop

The steps to show or hide hard disks, external disks, CDs, and connected servers on your desktop are:

1. Launch the Finder window and click on the Finder tab in the menu bar.
2. A drop-down menu will open. Select the ‘Preferences’ option.
3. Click on the ‘General’ option in the menu on the top of the window.
4. Mark the checkbox for all the items that you want to view on your desktop. On the other hand, unmark the checkbox for items you don’t want to view.

Setting a Default Section for a New Finder’s Window

The steps to set up a default section for a new Finder’s window are:

1. Click on the Finder tab in the menu bar.
2. Select the ‘Preferences’ option from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on the ‘General’ tab and select the folder or storage device name from the drop-down menu.
4. If the section is unavailable, click on the ‘Other’ option.

Using Tags

The steps to use Tags in the Finder window are:

1. Click on the Finder tab in the menu bar and select the ‘Preferences’ option.
2. Tap on the ‘Tags’ tab from the menu at the top of the window.
3. Mark the checkbox for the tags that you want to view in the Finder’s sidebar.
4. To quickly access a tag, drag the tag under the Tags section at the bottom.

Creating Custom tags

The steps to create the custom tags are:

1. Click on the Finder tab in the menu bar and select the ‘Preferences’ option.
2. Tap on the ‘Tags’ tab.
3. Click on the ‘+’ icon below the list of tags.
4. Assign a name to your tag.
5. Select and assign a color to your tag.

Customizing the Finder Sidebar

The steps to customize the Finder Sidebar are:

1. Click on the Finder tab in the menu bar and select the ‘Preferences’ option.
2. Tap on the ‘Sidebar’ tab.
3. Mark the checkbox for the data or items you want to view in the Finder’s sidebar.

If you’re new to using Mac, the information mentioned above is crucial for using the Finder app on Mac. Now that you’re familiar with using the Finder app and its tools, it’ll make your workflow easier by enabling you to quickly access any data you want.

Source: Everything You Must Know About Using ‘Finder’ on Mac.