Keyboard Shortcut to open Finder?

Question

Level 1

11 points

Keyboard Shortcut to open Finder?

Is there a keyboard shortcut to open Finder? On my old windows machine I could press the windows key and E to open an explorer window and I used that all the time. I would love it if there was something like that for Finder. Sure I could click the icon on my dock, but I like using keyboard shortcuts as I find them faster. I know I can alt-tab, but if I have many things open then that is not fast at all. Please tell me I am not out of luck!

Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Mar 30, 2009 8:40 AM

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Answer 1

nerowolfe

Level 6

13,090 points

Mar 30, 2009 8:49 AM in response to MrMinor

You could write a script or use the automator to open a second Finder window.
You can also use Cmd-n if the cursor is on the desktop.

You can also enter, in a terminal

open -a finder

and work from there.

Message was edited by: nerowolfe

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Answer 2

Limnos

Level 10

426,935 points

Mar 30, 2009 8:51 AM in response to MrMinor

Perhaps? [See post #9 re. Quicksilver|http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6126_102-0.html?forumID=10&threadID=928 87&messageID=1048712] - programming hotkeys for applications

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Answer 3

V.K.

Level 9

56,192 points

Mar 30, 2009 9:10 AM in response to MrMinor

Beside Quicksilver you can use other application launchers to do this. i use Butler. it also lets you make a shortcut to open a finder window.

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Answer 4

Mar 30, 2009 10:38 AM in response to MrMinor

Or instead of making a new shortcut why not do something crazy and use an existing one!
Try:

⌘, ⌥, Space
Command, Option, Space

Technically it is a spotlight shortcut but all you need to do is to click on the side panel to go to where you want to go.

Hope this helps

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Answer 5

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Mar 30, 2009 12:09 PM in response to MrMinor

Simplest is to click on the Desktop. Gives you immediate access to the Finder, which is always running.

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Answer 6

MrMinor Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 30, 2009 5:27 PM in response to nerowolfe

I am not familiar with writing scripts or using automator. Where can I find info on doing that?

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Answer 7

MrMinor Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 30, 2009 5:29 PM in response to Paddy Crawford Clarke

This would not help as it would actually be faster to just click the icon in my dock instead of hitting some key combination and then still having to click on something.

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Answer 8

MrMinor Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 30, 2009 5:30 PM in response to baltwo

Yes this is quick and easy, but I like using keyboard shortcuts as I find them quicker and more efficient.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions so far!

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Answer 9

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Mar 30, 2009 5:38 PM in response to MrMinor

For scripts, peruse the AppleScript forum under OS X Technologies. As for shortcuts vs mousing, I use them over 80% of the time, but in this instance, with the Desktop taking up everything not covered by a window, I'd disagree with the efficiency statement.

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Answer 10

MrMinor Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 30, 2009 5:41 PM in response to baltwo

Thanks for the info.

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Answer 11

nerowolfe

Level 6

13,090 points

Mar 30, 2009 7:13 PM in response to MrMinor

If you like the keyboard you will really like writing a script or using the automator, either of which are extremely easy to learn and use.
Automator:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1261
AppleScript:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=724

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