Keyboard Shortcuts for Finder Windows on Mac OS

Deepak Gupta
Deepak Gupta December 9, 2021
Updated 2021/12/09 at 12:48 AM

Operating systems generally have tools that allow simple and easy management of the resources or files that we have on our computers. If, for example, you use Microsoft Windows, the Windows file explorer will not be strange to you. If, on the other hand, we use a computer with Mac OS installed, we will find the Finder tool at our disposal. Historically, Finder has not only been used for file and disk management, but also for network management or launching various applications. Once we have seen the importance of this application, we will provide you with the knowledge about the keyboard shortcuts for Finder Windows on Mac OS.

It is important to point out that our tips will not only help you to navigate with the Finder browser, but that they will be useful in practically all available versions of Mac OS and OS X.

Keyboard shortcuts to keep in mind

File management shortcuts

First, we will focus on the shortcuts for Finder related to file management, such as opening and creating a folder, showing new windows, manipulating images, locating yourself within files … Once you master the basic shortcuts you can begin to emulate the skill of IT professionals.

Keys Description
Command + N New Finder window
Shift + Command + N New folder
Option + Command + N New smart folder
Control + Command + N New folder containing the selected item
Command + O Open selected item
Command + T New tab
Shift + Command + T Show / Hide a Finder tab
Command + W Close the window
Option + Command + W Close all Finder windows
Command + I Show Get information for the selected item
Command + D Selected file (s) duplicated
Control + Command + A Create an alias of the selected item
Control + Option + Command + A Show original for selected alias
Command + R Rotate an image 90 degrees clockwise
Command + L Rotate an image 90 degrees counterclockwise
Command + Y Quick Look Selected Item
Command + P Print selected item
Control + Command + T Add selected item to sidebar
Control + Shift + Command + T Add the selected item to the Dock
Command + Delete Move selected item to trash
Command + F Open Spotlight Search
Command + E Eject the selected device
Command + click on window title Show path to current folder

SEARCH VIEW OPTIONS

One of the purposes of shortcuts is one of the purposes of the shortcuts to view files in a comfortable way while doing a search. Here are the shortcuts that will allow you to view content in new and different ways.

Keys Description
Command + 1 View as icons
Command + 2 View as list
Command + 3 View as column
Command + 4 View as coverage flow
Shift + Command + P Show / Hide preview pane
Right arrow Expand the highlighted folder (list view)
Left arrow Collapse the highlighted folder (list view)
Option + Command + Right Expand the highlighted folder and all subfolders
Command + Down Open the selected folder
Command + Up Go back to the attached folder
Control + Command + 0 Alternation groups
Control + Command + 1 Group by name
Control + Command + 2 Group by type
Control + Command + 3 Group by last open date
Control + Command + 4 Group by date added
Control + Command + 5 Group by modification date
Control + Command + 6 Group by size
Control + Command + 7 Group by labels
Command + J Show view options
Option + Command + P Show or hide the
path bar
Option + Command + S Show or hide the
sidebar
Command + / (Slash) Show or hide the status bar
Shift + Command + T Show or hide the tab bar
Shift + Command + (backslash) Show all tabs
Control + Command + F Enter or exit full screen

«GO PRO»WITH FINDER SHORTCUTS

However, if we want to raise our level and impress our teammates with our skills we must go a little further. For them we must be fast, have the ability to access special locations and specific sites by simultaneously pressing several keys. Access the next level with the following shortcuts.

Keys Description
Command + [  (corchete izquierdo) Volver a la ubicación anterior
Comando +] (right bracket) Advance to the next location
Shift + Command + A Open the applications folder
Shift + Command + C Open the computer window
Shift + Command + D Open the desktop folder
Shift + Command + F Open recent files window
Shift + Command + G Open Go to Folder command
Shift + Command + H Open the folder
beginning
Shift + Command + I Open the folder
iCloud Drive
Shift + Command + K Open network window
Option + Command + L Open download files
Shift + Command + O Open document folder
Shift + Command + R Open window
AirDrop
Shift + Command + U Open utility folder
Command + K Open the Connect to Server window

Disadvantages of using a keyboard

Despite how useful Finder shortcuts can be, it is still true that their use involves a certain level of difficulty. This is due to the inconvenience of having to remember countless key combinations to execute at least half of the previously proposed shortcuts. That is why our recommendation is aimed at finding a practical use for them. In other words, whenever possible we should at least remember the most important ones and the ones that we are most interested in using most frequently. In my personal experience I very often use shortcuts related to organizing content in the way that I prefer the most. We hope that our advice has been useful to you.



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