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Save Finder window size

Hi guys,


I know this question might sound stupid at first, but I am a new Mac user (coming from Windows) and I couldn't find how to do that. How do I save Finder window size so, everytime I open it, it will be this size. Preferably, I would like to make it to a certain size so that if I have to resize it on one session, that resize won't be saved (that is, next time I open Finder it will have the size I had set up restored).


Is it possible?


Thank you in advance.

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1)

Posted on Aug 24, 2012 3:55 PM

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Posted on Aug 24, 2012 7:23 PM

Create a new folder on the Desktop (CMD+SHIFT+N), open it, select View-View Options (CMD+J), set the window to your desired size and type view (either icon or list view: I prefer the latter), select always open, and then click Use as Defaults button. That should retain your setting and every other folder you open for the first time should also inherit those settings.


Once you sort this issue out, see these:


Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Basic Tutorials on using a Mac,
Mac 101: Mac Essentials,
Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts,
Anatomy of a Mac,
MacTips,
Switching to Mac Superguide, and
Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Lion Edition. (Applies until the Mtn Lion edition ships)


Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:


Quick Assist,
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides,
Take Control E-books, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

36 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 24, 2012 7:23 PM in response to AndreGB

Create a new folder on the Desktop (CMD+SHIFT+N), open it, select View-View Options (CMD+J), set the window to your desired size and type view (either icon or list view: I prefer the latter), select always open, and then click Use as Defaults button. That should retain your setting and every other folder you open for the first time should also inherit those settings.


Once you sort this issue out, see these:


Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Basic Tutorials on using a Mac,
Mac 101: Mac Essentials,
Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts,
Anatomy of a Mac,
MacTips,
Switching to Mac Superguide, and
Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Lion Edition. (Applies until the Mtn Lion edition ships)


Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:


Quick Assist,
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides,
Take Control E-books, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

Nov 8, 2012 2:40 PM in response to AndreGB

I'm trying to do the exact same thing; however, feeling a little stupid here. After opening the View Options (CMD+J) and setting the window to my desired size and type view, and then selecting "always open in column view" in View Options, I don't see any option to select or click "Use as Defaults button" that is described above in this post. I'm using Mountain Lion. This obviously worked for AndreGB...what am I doing wrong? Appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks.

Jul 25, 2013 9:20 PM in response to AndreGB

Above Solution Steps I've used for years to get windows to default to list view, never noticed the process holding the size of the window.


I've always found it necessary to resize a window manually, close it, then reopen to verify the size was remembered, always did; never was concerned about new windows as I would just follow these resize steps once.


Now I'm on a brand new iMac running 10.8.4 and finding my window resize process works for most windows, but not my internal hard drive when opened from the Desktop or the Applications folder when opened from the Dock. All other window sizes and positions are remembered including Finder, Utilities, Downloads from the Dock, any folder or drive on the Desktop, etc.


Went to my 10.8.2 laptop and seeing the same thing - default size is always a smallish window (even when I follow the Solution Steps) which is fine, but Macintosh HD will not remember resized window using any steps once I logout/restart/shutdown.


Went back to my old iMac to verify I'm not crazy, and the Mac HD size and position is remembered as is the Applications folder when opened from the Dock.


Another clue to solving this is when a new session is started and the Mac HD window is opened, not only does it not remember the last size of the window, the smaller "default" window is always centered on the screen, it doesn't remember the last position either; same with the Applications.


I realize the original poster wanted a particular size to be remembered even if a resize occurred, and I don't, but is the issue I've explained (Mac HD window size and placement when opened from the Desktop and Applications folder when opened from Dock don't hold after a session) a fixable issue?


Ran these steps in multiple accounts on the newest iMac and MacBook Pro, same issue, so it appears to be the two machines since my third one doesn't exhibit this behavior.

Jul 26, 2013 10:56 AM in response to Kenneth Hughes

Kenneth, I believe that is because the way OS X deals with folder customization.


I have found that the process described by Baltwo works partially, but I am used to it now. I've followed those steps and now Finder will display the list view for all new folders (which is great), but not the window size when they are opened directly (that is, a double click on the folder icon).


Finder will, however, remember the window size for new windows when you open them via Finder's application itself (⌘N). Well, I am happy with list view and calculate folder size already, so the fact that every new folder is created with a small window doesn't bother me much. If you resize that window, then Finder will remember its size but just for that folder. So if you open again (by double clicking the icon) it will have the same size. But you need to do this for every new folder (I believe that information is stored on the .DS_Store file). So I mostly open a Finder window from whithin Finder (⌘N) and browse to that new folder and I'll have my desired size. I guess I just got used to this process now.

Mar 17, 2014 11:06 AM in response to Trent Curtis

Go to Finder and select your user/home folder. With that Finder window as the front window, either select Finder/View/Show View options or go command - J. When the View options opens, check ’Show Library Folder’. That should make your user library folder visible in your user/home folder. Select Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist. Move the .plist to your desktop.


Re-launch Finder by logging out/in and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.


If the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer ones.


Thanks to leonie for some information contained in this.


You might need to redo the View settings after an update.

Save Finder window size

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