Shortkeys for FInder

You will find a list of shortcut keys here: Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts.

Command+N for a Finder window.

Try Command+F too.


Adam

Also try dragging your Cursor over the various Menu items at the top of your screen. There are a lot of Keyboard shortcuts listed and this works for all the applications too.

Spend a few minutes and do some of the searching yourself.

Adam

Then that means there is no shortcut for what you want to do. It's possible that a third-party utility may help. You can find them at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.

Also note that whenever you tap your mouse anywhere on the desktop you are in the Finder, i.e. the Finder is your frontmost app.

It has always struck me as odd why Apple put an icon of the Finder in the dock in OS X. The Finder was never regarded this way in classic Mac OS's. Unlike other apps that you launch it is always running if the computer is booted and running.

It's relatively easy to quit the Finder, and rather than hunt for it in the System folder it's easier to have the Dock icon conveniently handy. The Dock icon is also an alternative for opening your "default" Finder window, provided you use one, in case you close it inadvertently.