Resizing Finder windows in Sonoma (Mac OS 14) is it possible?

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Level 1

22 points

Resizing Finder windows in Sonoma (Mac OS 14) is it possible?

I just bought a Mac mini M2 and an LG monitor with 3840 x 2160 resolution on the high end, which is what I want, because it's generally the highest resolution you can get on a monitor without spending a mint on an Apple monitor. The monitor default is set to 2560 x 1440, in which the windows sizing is fine, but when I set to the highest setting (3840 x 2160) the windows shrink and I can't make them any bigger. I can adjust the icons and font sizes in View Options, but can't adjust the window size. I am going nuts trying to figure this out. Previously I was using a late 2015 iMac with even higher resolution (5120 x 2880) with no problem on the Finder windows. Now, they are tiny, and so is the pull down menu at the top of the screen. I don't want to drop my resolution to get those items bigger, why doesn't Sonoma support this resolution? Please help, there's no useful info out there- not even Youtube.

Mac mini (M2, 2023)

Posted on Apr 22, 2024 11:01 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 22, 2024 11:18 AM in response to carlart

This issue could potentially be related to how macOS Sonoma handles scaling and resolution on external monitors. When using high-resolution displays, macOS typically applies scaling to ensure that content remains readable and usable. However, it seems that in this case, the scaling might not be functioning as expected, causing Finder windows and other UI elements to appear too small.

One potential workaround you could try is adjusting the display scaling settings on your Mac mini. You can access these settings by going to System Preferences > Displays > Display. From there, you may have options to adjust the display scaling ratio to make UI elements appear larger and more readable. Experimenting with different scaling options might help improve the usability of your Mac mini with the high-resolution LG monitor.

If adjusting the display scaling settings doesn't resolve the issue or if the scaling options available are not sufficient, it's possible that there may be limitations with how macOS Sonoma handles high-resolution displays. In this case, reaching out to Official Apple Support or consulting with other Mac users who may have encountered similar issues could provide additional insights or potential solutions.

Additionally, forums and online communities dedicated to Mac users might also be valuable resources for finding solutions or workarounds to specific macOS issues. Sharing your experience and seeking advice from fellow Mac users who have experience with similar setups could help shed light on potential solutions that you may not have considered.

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Answer 2

carlart Author

Level 1

22 points

Apr 22, 2024 11:52 AM in response to Community User

As I mentioned above, I can drop the resolution down in the Displays tab in System Settings and the windows appear normally sized (2560 x 1440 for instance) - but I want the higher resolution which is why I bought a monitor with 3840 x 2160 resolution. I can't understand why it's not a problem for an iMac retina with 5120 x 2880, but it is for an external third party monitor. I'll have to contact official support. Thanks.

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