Finder "Clean Up By..." Default

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Level 1

18 points

Finder "Clean Up By..." Default

I don't recall this being an issue with older versions of MacOSX (but it just seems to get worse/more convoluted with every product).

How do I make it so that when ever I add a file to a Folder, the automatic response is for Finder to clean them up (alphabetize, type sort, etc.)?

It will only do this if I move files to a Folder that is not open. I want my computer to sort these files ALL THE TIME, in EVERY INSTANCE. Currently, I'm having to click View>Clean Up By>Name every time I add files, it's stupid.

I hate to be the Windows v. Mac person, but I don't have this problem on my Windows computer at work. They seem to get that a person wants files to be organized, that's why we put them into folders to begin with...

Getting more and more frustrated with Apple after using them (happily) for many years.

Anyways... off my soapbox...

Is there a way to make this happen? Or did Apple take this option away?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 12.2

Posted on Mar 16, 2022 10:01 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

74,124 points

Mar 16, 2022 10:38 AM in response to wifeypoo

Do you need to have your folders shown in Icon view?

In List or Column View, the sort order is maintained all the time.

Icon View, by design, and since 1984, is one where you are usually free to move stuff around.

On the Desktop, you can actually force an order, but in folder windows that is not the case.

I can easily see people loudly complain in the opposite direction, like

"why does the icon not stay where I drag it to, and insists or relocating?"

I guess one can't please everyone.

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Answer 2

Mar 16, 2022 11:46 AM in response to wifeypoo

1) You can quickly an easily change views right from the keyboard: Command-1 for Icon, -2 for List, -3 for Column.

Each folder can in principle have its own separate setting.

You can press Command-J or go to View->Show View Options, and make changes for one particular folder.

For example, I use Column View most of the time, but I can force one folder to open in List View:

So now, even if I am browsing in Column View, if I double-click this folder it will open in a new window in List View.

Furthermore, if I wanted List View as the default, I could click on "Use as Defaults".

This will respect any folder that I have manually set to open in another way, but all other folders, including new ones created going forward, will open in List View.

Note: I do not use this often, because whenever I want I can use Command-2 and switch to List View instantly, but this may be useful to you, in order to ensure that most folders will open in List View without you having to do anything (the same applies with the other views too; the reason you see "Always open in list view" it's because that is the active view; it could say "Always open in Icon view", for example).

2) You CAN easily change the size of the Icons: whenever you have a window in Icon View, you have a slider at the bottom right of the window that lets you change - see the image below. You can also make changes in the "Show

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Answer 3

ku4hx

Level 7

23,694 points

Mar 16, 2022 11:20 AM in response to wifeypoo

I just click the column header and it sorts right away base on which header I choose. Works for me but I understand wanting a computer to do all your bidding.

hEy not tell Apple: Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 4

Mar 16, 2022 12:53 PM in response to wifeypoo

Each folder has its stored criteria in a hidden file called .DS_Store

For each folder that does not have criteria set, the default will be used.

So you could in principle set a default the way you want, and remove all .DS_Store files, and every folder should now open using that default.

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Answer 5

Mar 16, 2022 2:47 PM in response to wifeypoo

Did you set the desired order for the folder in the View Options window?

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Answer 6

wifeypoo Author

Level 1

18 points

Mar 16, 2022 11:13 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I can appreciate that view, I just don't recall having so many issues with Apple until the last few generations of products.

To answer your question, I have tried changing my default to list view (I do sometimes need icon view, but not always), but it only seems to apply to one Folder when I do, then if I change the view (not default) to icon, it changes it for every folder I open.

I'm clearly missing something here. I've had this Macbook since 2015, and have always just dealt with it, but I've been using it more since starting a business, and the nuanced frustrations are becoming more lively.

I also miss the ability to change the size of icons viewed - is that something that can still be done? My old macbook would allow for a list view, and icons, but also icons could be viewed smaller or larger. When using images for marketing/website design, it would be helpful to have that option again. As of now, it appears there is only one size icon. Without changing the resolution of my entire computer, I can't seem to change the icon size.

So, I guess my questions are:

1) How to effectively change the default view to List for ALL Finder folders, WITHOUT the option being undone once I change the view to Icon for one folder?

2) How (if it's possible) to change the Icon SIZE then in Icon view, without having to change the view of my entire computer?

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Answer 7

wifeypoo Author

Level 1

18 points

Mar 16, 2022 11:31 AM in response to ku4hx

I appreciate that, but yes, I'm sure as you can tell from my post, I already change the view manually as needed.

I would like to no longer have to do it that way, and it seems like there should be a way.

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Answer 8

wifeypoo Author

Level 1

18 points

Mar 16, 2022 12:13 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Okay, the problem with this, (and this is what I've already tried) is I've had this set to "name" and it still does not sort when I add files to a folder (unless the folder is closed when I add the files). So, you'd THINK this would work, but I still have the same problem.

Also, it does not resolve the issue with wanting all finder windows to open in the same view. These are if/then options, that only apply IF I am in icon view, or IF....

It does not allow me to have all Finder windows open with the same criteria.

My guess is this is simply not an option any longer. My old mac did it, but that was over a decade ago.

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Answer 9

Mar 16, 2022 12:58 PM in response to wifeypoo

wifeypoo wrote:

Okay, the problem with this, (and this is what I've already tried) is I've had this set to "name" and it still does not sort when I add files to a folder (unless the folder is closed when I add the files). So, you'd THINK this would work, but I still have the same problem.

Well, I can tell you that it IS working for me.

Here is a little GIF demonstrating it. I created an artificial folder, for privacy reasons.

The folder is called "Folder" and already has in it some folders called "A", "C" and "D".

Watch what happens when I drag "B" into it.

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Answer 10

wifeypoo Author

Level 1

18 points

Mar 17, 2022 10:18 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Yes, And I check the box at the bottom that says "Use as default"

I close Finder, then re-open, it opens how I set it.

If I then change the view to icon for one folder while I'm in it, then close Finder and re-open, it opens in whatever I have viewed last (in this case, icons), as opposed to the default setting I chose, EVEN THOUGH it just worked properly moments before.

That's what I'm saying, I seem to know how I'm supposed to change the default settings, but once I change it in the live view, the defaults go down the toilet.

What is the point of a "default" setting if it gets changed the moment you need ONE window to look different?

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