Resizing columns in Finder different for two users on the same Mac

Resizing column view in Finder is not working the same, what's the difference - I'm running macOS 26.2 and have discovered a recent issue with Finder, though it is only for one of the user accounts on my Mac. I am baffled and need some help to try and track down why the users are different, and how to fix the issue for one of the users.


Both users use Column view for Finder.


For one user (UserA), the way to resize columns is be grabbing the small symbol at the bottom of the finder winder between two columns. The problem is, this small symbol gets blocked by the horizontal scroll bar if the window is not wide enough (which, inevitably it is once you follow a file path past a couple of folders). UserA does have Google Drive running so maybe that causes finder to appear different but I'm not sure.


For the other user (UserB), the way to resize columns is simply to grab the border between two columns anywhere along that line. The horizontal scroll bar doesn't impact this action at all.


I've attached screenshots, though unfortunately it doesn't capture the mouse pointer so I can't fully show what it looks like but I added text to explain it.


Two related questions:

1) What makes the Finder Column view different for each user on the same Mac?

2) Related, how can I get the Finder Column view for UserA to match UserB?






[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Column view in Finder is different for two users on same Mac, resizing columns doesn't work for one of them

MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Posted on Jan 10, 2026 9:24 AM

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5 replies

Jan 11, 2026 5:23 AM in response to redofegrg

Turning the scrollbars off will disable them not just in the Finder but in all apps. You may need to switch back to "Show Scrollbars > Always" when you start working with a new app that you have never used before, or when you are no longer seeing options, that should be there after a system upgrade.

In macOS it is hard to guess which lists or dialog panes need scrolling to see all items. For example, in Photos or GarageBand most of the panes need scrolling, but we do not see this, if the scroll bars are hidden. So remember to turn the scrollbars on again, until you know where scrollbars are hidden in a new app or after a system upgrade.


I think it is a bug or an unfortunate design error that the scrollbars are hiding other controls in the Finder window, and it needs fixing. I send a bug report to Apple some time ago, and the report is now showing "Similar reports - more than 10".


Jan 10, 2026 11:45 AM in response to redofegrg

redofegrg wrote:

Resizing column view in Finder is not working the same, what's the difference - I'm running macOS 26.2 and have discovered a recent issue with Finder, though it is only for one of the user accounts on my Mac. I am baffled and need some help to try and track down why the users are different, and how to fix the issue for one of the users.

Both users use Column view for Finder.


Make changes to Scroll bars behavior— and compare your results...


>System Settings>Appearance



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Resizing columns in Finder different for two users on the same Mac

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