I would like the Downloads folder in the Dock to (1) look like the Downloads folder icon and (2) Open a Finder view of the Downloads folder without holding the command key.
• Using the Dock options, the Downloads folder will open a list of items in the folder but it will not display Date Modified and other parameters of a Finder window.
• Using an alias of the Downloads folder, the icon on the Dock is a generic icon.
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 13.5
Drag the Downloads folder from ~/Downloads into the Dock.
Drag the Downloads folder from ~/Downloads into the Dock.
I haven't found a one-step method to display a Finder window working directly with the Download folder on the Dock.
On my 2013 MBP running Big Sur, an alias of the Downloads folder on the Dock displays the Downloads folder icon and clicking on the alias opens a Finder window of the Downloads folder. Since Monterey and now Ventura, the icon of the alias of the folder is the same as the icon of the Download folder, but when it's dragged to the Dock, it becomes a generic file icon. It still works to open a Finder window of the Downloads folder.
It's obvious a teeny issue, but one that's very slightly annoying.
I appreciate that there are some keystroke commands along with a mouse click that can be used to accomplish my goal, but a very simple mouse click to open a Finder window view of the Downloads failure requires that an alias be put in the Dock (as best as I've been able to determine). In Big Sur, the appearance of the icon of an alias of the Downloads folder in the Dock was that of the host folder. In Monterey and Ventura, the icon appears as a generic file.
The View options in Ventura for the Downloads folder dragged into the Dock are Grid, List, and Automatic. In principle, adding "Finder" to that list would resolve the issue (and be a useful change).
Just to add, you can also control click on the Downloads icon in the Finder sidebar and choose "Add to Dock".
Command-Option-L
opens the Downloads folder.
By clicking cmd+J in an open Finder window on my Downloads folder, I have it set to Group by name and Sort by Date Added. Not only does this show the last file I downloaded in the upper-left corner of the Finder window on that Downloads folder, but on the Dock, the list of files shown when I click on Downloads there is also in that Date Added order with the first icon being the last item downloaded.
I agree with Barney-15E's prioritization, but I disagree with the sentiment that "You can’t have everything you want." To me, the point of these forums is to discuss users' issues, some major, many minor, and some that are just annoying. In further searching on various forums, I see that the issue I raised has been discussed in several other threads:
Dock Icon changed since upgrade to Ventura - Apple Community
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/zserag/ventura_os_no_longer_allows_work_arounds_to/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/icons-for-aliases-in-dock-folder-incorrect.2367332/
The problem apparently is new in Ventura and is surely a bug, not a feature. I've reported it.
The problem apparently is new in Ventura and is surely a bug, not a feature. I've reported it.
It could be a bug, but Apple hasn't attempted to fix it in any of the bug fix releases since it happened. Sonoma will be out soon. If they release another point update to Ventura, it will be the last that would be relegated to bug fixes. Everything after Sonoma will only be security updates.
Apple doesn't lurk here looking for bugs to fix. If you and about 10,000 other people send feedback to Apple, they might consider changing it back.
You can’t have everything you want. Your best option is the Alias as it meets the more important need, at least as I would rank them.
This same annoying little problem has bugged me forever and I've never come across a thread with a solve. As you said, it's a little problem but it's really annoying.
Thanks for your note. When that's done, there are options to display the Folder content as a grid (which is worthless if there a lot of items in the folder) or as a list, which does not show the typical information of a Finder window, i.e. file dates, size, etc. regardless of the selected sort function. There's an option at the bottom of the list to "Open in Finder" which requires scrolling and an additional click that I'd prefer to avoid. (There is also an option for "Automatic" and I'm not sure what's automated. On my system, it seems to be the same as the grid display.)
Accessing that link requires scrolling to the end of the files regardless of whether Grid, List, or Automatic is selected. It takes a bit of time due to the number of items in my folder.
I'm looking for an option to directly open the Finder view from an icon that looks like the Download folder, and I can't find a way of doing that. (An alias to the Downloads folder dragged to the Dock works, but the icon is that of a generic file.)
Rob Stavis wrote:
Accessing that link requires scrolling to the end of the files regardless of whether Grid, List, or Automatic is selected. It takes a bit of time due to the number of items in my folder.
Got it. Control or right click on the Downloads icon and choose 'Open "Downloads"'
I'm looking for an option to directly open the Finder view from an icon that looks like the Download folder, and I can't find a way of doing that. (An alias to the Downloads folder dragged to the Dock works, but the icon is that of a generic file.)
I didn't say anything about dragging an alias. I mention two methods to add the Download folder to the Dock.
If I just click on the Downloads folder I can choose to open the Finder window by clicking the arrow.
I'll post this once more in case you missed it…
"Just to add, you can also control click on the Downloads icon in the Finder sidebar and choose "Add to Dock"."
No dragging involved.
Downloads folder in the Dock: Open a Finder window
