Tag Archives: Finder

Fix the inability to access a file in OS X

FinderIconYosemiteXFor security and privacy, you will not be allowed direct access to some hidden system files and those in other user accounts on your Mac, but otherwise you should at least be able to see and read the files on your system, and especially should have full access to all files in your Mac’s home folder. However, there are times when you might find yourself barred from editing or reading files for which you ought to have full access. Continue reading

How to reveal files in the Finder with Spotlight

SpotlightIconXSpotlight allows you to search for all of your files, applications, and other items on your Mac, allowing you to open them directly by highlighting them and pressing Enter, or even dragging them off the Spotlight menu (or window, for Yosemite) for various drag-and-drop purposes in OS X. While you can manage your listed search results in this way, if needed there may be times when you might want to find exactly where the file is on your Mac, or otherwise handle it in the Finder. Continue reading

Show missing hard disks in the Finder sidebar

FinderIconYosemiteXThe Finder sidebar is a convenient location to access frequently used items such as hard drives, various folders in your home directory, network shares, and any custom items you drag there. If you use the sidebar for accessing hard disks, then there may be times when certain hard disks do not show up here, while others do.

The likely reason for this occurring is if you have removed that specific hard drive Continue reading

How to include system files in OS X searches

SpotlightIconXSearches in OS X will by default only include files you have access to, such as documents you have saved, and applications that you use; however, there may be times when you might want to search for system files as well, either by name or by content. These can include fonts, preference files, cache files, and other files you might not usually access directly in the Finder. Continue reading

Mac Skills: Switch to top-most windows

DockIconXWhen you use multiple applications on your Mac, you may end up with many windows open at once in each application. This may be for work you are currently doing, but at times you might find yourself with a mountain of open windows that contain progress for various projects, and you might wish to keep them open for the sake of your workflow. Continue reading

Tip: Quickly zoom and open images with QuickLook

QuickLookIconXWhen browsing files in the Finder, you have the option for previewing them using Apple’s QuickLook feature. This allows you to either see some general information about files such as file size and last modification date, but for supported files you should see a preview of their contents, simply by pressing the Space bar with a file selected. While convenient, for previewing a file or two, you can use QuickLook to zoom in on images, as well as open files you are previewing. Continue reading

Expand all collapsed items in a list in OS X

FinderIconXThere are many times in OS X when you will come across items organized into list, be it in Finder windows where you might have List View selected, or Mail messages that are organized into conversations. You might also find this in panels like the Finder info window’s various categories, or in places in the system preferences. If you regularly use these lists, then you might benefit from a little trick to help reveal or conceal items in them. Continue reading