HomeTechIs Mac Finder the Ultimate File Manager? Find out!

Is Mac Finder the Ultimate File Manager? Find out!

Published on

spot_img

Every computer operating system packs numerous necessary features and utilities that facilitate users to perform specific activities and use the device in the most efficient way possible. One such utility is the file manager. As the name suggests, a file manager is an app or program that provides users with a UI for managing stored files and folders. 

All major operating systems, including Windows and macOS, feature dedicated native file managers that facilitate users to manage the stored items seamlessly. In the case of Windows OS, File Explorer is the name of the native file manager. On the other hand, macOS’s native file manager is called Finder. 

This article will shed light on Finder, list the capabilities of the native utilities, and conclude whether it is the ultimate file manager or not. Let us begin:

MacOS Finder – A Brief Look

Finder is the native file managing utility and the macOS default user interface shell that all versions of Apple computers’ OS feature. Besides allowing users to manage files and folders, macOS’ Finder utility allows users to perform numerous other tasks, including launching other applications, managing networks, disks, etc. 

The in-built tool is readily accessible at all times in the Dock, and users cannot delete or uninstall it. The icon of the utility resembles a smiling blue and white-colored face. Overall, it is a solid application without which it would be impossible to navigate through macOS and perform specific tasks. 

What Does the Finder Utility on macOS Do?

The Finder application is capable of performing numerous tasks. Here is an in-depth look at some of the most useful ones:

  • Open Files & Windows

The Finder utility allows users to open any file and window on their Mac. To open a new window on their Mac using Finder, users need to enable or open the utility either by clicking on its icon present in the Dock or by switching to it after clicking on the desktop. Switching to the native utility facilitates users to reveal any other window that might be hidden or masked behind other apps’ windows. 

To open or access any file present on the Mac, such as a document, application, picture, etc., all they need to do is double-click on the item. Once they have opened the file, they can use the corner buttons at the window’s top to close, minimize or maximize it. 

  • Search Files and Folders

The in-built file manager of macOS also offers users the feature to search files and folders present on the Mac’s internal storage component. To search for files using a Finder window, users need to enter the name of the file they are looking for in the search field at the window’s corner. 

Once users execute the search, the required file’s name will appear in the search result along with its location. Besides simply searching for files, users can use advanced searches to narrow search results. 

  • Alter Files’ Display Type

Besides allowing users to open files and windows and search files, Finder also offers users the option using which they can alter how the files get displayed. There are two ways in which users can get the job done – either by using the View menu present in the menu bar or by using the buttons present at the top of the Finder window.

Users can view files and folders as icons, in a listicle-like view, in columns, in a gallery, etc. Moreover, for every type of view that the Finder utility offers, the View menu also allows users to alter the arrangement of items, i.e., users can change how files are sorted or arranged based on different parameters like file type, size, date, etc.

  • Get Rid of Obsolete Files

Using the Finder utility, users can easily delete any file or folder they no longer require. To move a file to the Trash, which is the Recycle Bin of macOS using Finder, users simply need to navigate to the location where the file is located, select it and use the File menu’s “Move to Trash” option to get the job done. 

Besides the manual method mentioned above, users can also use the dedicated keyboard shortcut (“Command” and “Delete”) to delete files. Moreover, they can also do the deed by dragging and dropping files from the Finder window onto the Trash icon. 

What’s The Verdict? 

As evidenced by the uses mentioned above, the native File Manager of macOS, aka Finder, is a highly useful tool using which users can easily manage the files and folders present on their device. The free-to-use app offers all the necessary features using which users can use their Mac to the best of their capabilities. 

However, there are paid third-party file managers readily available that offer advanced features that users with more complex uses can opt for. Therefore, whether the Finder is the perfect file manager for a user depends entirely on their uses. 

Latest articles

Inside Out: Unveiling the Differences Between Exterior and Interior Design

Have you ever considered a place of living where curb appeal is as beautiful...

Is a Demat Account Necessary for Investing?

The world of investing has undergone significant transformations, which makes it important to know...

Fluted Laminates That Make The Living Room Walls Stand Apart

The living room serves as the heart of a home—a space where family and...

A Food Lover’s Journey Through Cleveland’s Historic Markets

Welcome to a culinary adventure that takes us deep into the heart of Cleveland's...

More like this

Inside Out: Unveiling the Differences Between Exterior and Interior Design

Have you ever considered a place of living where curb appeal is as beautiful...

Is a Demat Account Necessary for Investing?

The world of investing has undergone significant transformations, which makes it important to know...

Fluted Laminates That Make The Living Room Walls Stand Apart

The living room serves as the heart of a home—a space where family and...