Command-Alt-Space shortcut to open new Finder window stopped working

Just as a heads-up, today I discovered the same problem. CMD+ALT+SPACE always brought up a new Finder window from anywhere in the operating system until today, when it brought up the Spotlight window.

In System Preferences, I removed the shortcut from the Spotlight settings, but now I can't reapply it to open a Finder window. I will consult a Genius and update you.

Finally found SOLUTION, thanks to a completely different apple(.com) support thread (details below).

The problem has nothing to do with Mac OS X systems prior to Nov 2011 (per Barney-15E above). All you have to do is change the Semo-Permanent Toggle Mode of Finder vs Spotlight. So when Spotlight comes up (instead of Finder which is what people here want), just press ALT-COMMAND-T. Spotlight at that point will bring up the "side bar" which converts it into a regular Finder window. Moreover, you need do this just once since the toggle mode is SEMI- PERMANENT... until the next time you press ALT-COMMAND-T (either intentionally or by accident... which it seems is what happens from time to time). Last October after my last entry above (as jeffdata), I found this solution at https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4774696?answerId=23366612022#23366612022&ac_cid=tw123456#23366612?ac_cid=t w123456 ... and then earlier this month the problem happened again... and then I had to dig up the info again. This time I'm sharing with this forum.

Make it a Great Day 🙂

Following up on my post from Dec 6th:

The Geniuses weren't aware of any Finder shortcut ever existing, and outside of this thread it seems as though they're right.

Needless to say I left without a solution.

The ALT-CMD-T is functional in that it gives you quick access to everything in a normal Finder window, but it still defaults as a Search rather than whatever you've set Finder to open with (Downloads, Applications, etc.).

So it's passable and I'm nitpicking, but when I can just hit CMD-Space for Spotlight, I'd like a separate function for ALT-CMD-Space.

I'll file this under Lost Causes for now.

Hi diego chamy.

Sorry - I didn't get a notification that you had posted. I pressed opt-command-space and it opened up the spotlight window - while viewing it, I clicked alt-cmd-t and the window changed to a finder window. After that, the shortcut opens up the finder window again successfully.

Incidentally, the reason I'm back on this thread is because the shortcut suddently started opening up the unwanted spotlight window again (I'm not sure what I did that caused it to revert). I started searching for a solution, and fortunately came across the same thread again.

kinglucentio wrote:

Following up on my post from Dec 6th:

The Geniuses weren't aware of any Finder shortcut ever existing, and outside of this thread it seems as though they're right.

Needless to say I left without a solution.

The ALT-CMD-T is functional in that it gives you quick access to everything in a normal Finder window, but it still defaults as a Search rather than whatever you've set Finder to open with (Downloads, Applications, etc.).

So it's passable and I'm nitpicking, but when I can just hit CMD-Space for Spotlight, I'd like a separate function for ALT-CMD-Space.

I'll file this under Lost Causes for now.

That doesn't appear to work in Mavericks, if anyone is interested.

It works fine for me in Mavericks. Cmd+Opt+Space brings up a Finder window set to search, and from there the "Show/Hide Toolbar" option can be toggled with Cmd+Opt+T (or in the View options). I don't know how it was hidden, but this fixed it for me.

I am currently using OSX Mavericks and I tried doing all the things everyone said, but none of it was working. I eventually got fed up and just relaunched Finder a bunch of times. Eventually, OPTION - COMMAND - Space worked and opened a new Finder window.

Same problem here on a 2014 system. It just stopped working a few days ago. Initially, the CMD Option T and CMD Option S, didn't help, but eventually it opened up the side bar so I could select a location, just like before, Whew!

Diego hola.

I think I have figured out how to fix your problem. I did have that same issue and that is what led me to search in the internet and got to this forum.

Yes, as you said, when my MacBook Air was brand new ALT+CMD+SPACEBAR opened a Finder type window, now, after 1 month of having the mac it started to open a spotlight type search window. It is true.

Now, how I just fixed it.

1. Press ALT+CMD+SPACEBAR

2. Open the options menu by "right clicking" on the toolbar (Next to the "Searching This Mac" legend)

3. Click on "Hide Toolbar"

4. Then, do the "right click" again on the toolbar (Note: it should be smaller now since you do not have all the toolbar icons).

5. Click on "Show Toolbar"

Done, the left menu with all the "finder" folders should be up and running. Hope it works for all of you.

Regards,

To alan_vq and totoloco123 :

I read these forums all the time and I've never replied or posted for some reason. However, I had to thank both of you (apologies for others who may also have solved the problem within this thread) for shedding some light on this issue. It's been driving me (and likely many others) crazy for a while now.

Cheers Guys!

I had the same issue and was able to fix it by opening keyboard shortcuts, selecting spotlight and adding a checkmark to "show finder search window". I made sure the shortcut was option-command-spacebar, and now it works. Love this shortcut.

press the button above the search bar, you'll get what you want back

Hi, I had the same problem, i resolved the problem by pressing ALT+CMD+T.

Regards,

BGast

Some things to try.

Keyboard Shortcuts - Create

Keyboard Shortcuts - BetterTouchTool

Keyboard Shortcuts – KeyRemap4Macbook

Keyboard Shortcuts - Quickkeys