Finder is a one-stop shop to access entire Mac and therefore, Mac users frequently use this feature. Finder is something every new Mac user should know about because it helps you organize your documents, media, folders, and other files. Since your interaction with Finder takes much of your time in a day, you need to know how to use the most useful Finder Keyboard Shortcuts.
There are some ready to use Finder keyboard shortcuts or commands you can apply to make your life easy. We provide you a list of Finder shortcuts you can use every day to quickly interact with your Mac.
How to Use the Most Useful Finder Keyboard Shortcuts
MAC Shortcut | Purpose |
Option–Brightness Up | Launch Displays preferences. |
Option–Mission Control | Launch Mission Control preferences. |
Option–Volume Up | Launch Sound preferences. |
Shift-Command-C | Open Computer window. |
Shift-Command-D | Open desktop folder. |
Shift-Command-F | Open the All My Files window. |
Shift-Command-G | Open a Go to Folder window. |
Shift-Command-H | Open Home folder of active user. |
Shift-Command-I | Launch iCloud Drive. |
Shift-Command-K | Open Network window. |
Option-Command-L | Open Downloads folder. |
Shift-Command-O | Open Documents folder. |
Shift-Command-R | Open AirDrop window. |
Shift-Command-T | Add selected Finder item to Dock |
Control-Shift-Command-T | Add selected Finder item to Dock |
Shift-Command-U | Launch Utilities folder. |
Option-Command-D | Hide or unhide the Dock. |
Control-Command-T | Add selected item to sidebar |
Option-Command-P | Hide or Unhide path bar in Finder windows. |
Option-Command-S | Hide or Unhide Sidebar in Finder windows. |
Command–Slash (/) | Hide or Unhide status bar in Finder windows. |
Command-J | Show View Options. |
Command-K | Open Connect to Server window. |
Command-L | Make an alias of the choosen item. |
Command-N | Open a new Finder window. |
Shift-Command-N | Make a new folder. |
Option-Command-N | Make a new Smart Folder. |
Command-R | Show the original file for the selected alias. |
Command-T | Hide or unhide tab bar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window. |
Shift-Command-T | Hide or unhide a Finder tab. |
Option-Command-T | Hide or unhide toolbar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window. |
Option-Command-V | Move the files in the Clipboard from their original location to the current location. |
Command-E | Eject the selected disk or volume. |
Command-F | Start a Spotlight search in the Finder window. |
Command-I | Show the Get Info window for a selected file. |
Option-Command-Y | View a Quick Look slideshow of the selected files. |
Command-Y | Use Quick Look to preview the selected files. |
Command-1 | See the items in the Finder window as icons. |
Command-2 | See the items in a Finder window as a list. |
Command-3 | See the items in a Finder window in columns. |
Command-4 | See the items in a Finder window with Cover Flow. |
Command–Left Bracket ([) | Go to the previous folder. |
Command–Right Bracket (]) | Go to the next folder. |
Command–Up Arrow | Open the folder that contains the current folder. |
Command–Control–Up Arrow | Open the folder that contains the current folder in a new window. |
Command–Down Arrow | Open the selected item. |
Command–Mission Control | Show the desktop. This works even when you’re not in the Finder. |
Command–Brightness Up | Enable or Disable Target Display Mode. |
Command–Brightness Down | Turn display mirroring on or off when your Mac is connected to more than one display. |
Right Arrow | Open selected folder. Works only in list view. |
Left Arrow | Close selected folder. Works only in list view. |
Option–double-click | Open folder in another window and close the current window. |
Command–double-click | Open folder in another tab or window. |
Command-Delete | Move selected files into trash |
Shift-Command-Delete | Empty the Trash. |
Option-Shift-Command-Delete | Empty the Trash without any confirmation. |
Command-Y | Use Quick Look to see preview of files. |
Command key while dragging | Move dragged item to another location. |
Option key while dragging | Copy dragged file. |
Option-Command while dragging | Make an alias of the dragged file. |
Option-click a disclosure triangle | Launch all folders within the selected folder. Works only in list view. |
Command-click a window title | View folders that contain the current folder. |
Command-D | Make Duplicate Version of Selected File. |
Explore this list of Finder shortcuts and other Mac Keyboard Shortcuts to make the most of your Mac quickly.
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