Mavericks Finder - how default to "double click opens new window"?

I am old and set in my ways. I like having the Finder open a new window when I double click a folder. Since 1984 I've arranged Finder windows in positions and sizes that suit me and I have never seen any reason to change.


In Mavericks however there does not seem to be a way to default to, "double click opens new Finder window". My choices under Finder preferences are, open in the same window; or open in a tab. I don't care for either.


Does anyone know of a way to restore the traditional Finder behavior in Mavericks? Thanks in advance.

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9), 18 GB RAM

Posted on Oct 22, 2013 5:54 PM

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547 replies

Nov 19, 2013 6:02 AM in response to John Dorsey

Summation:


1. People that manage lots and lots of files on a regular basis on the ones who are constantly opening folders into new windows. It's pretty clear at this point in time that Apple doesn't care much about this group any more. Further, Apple's disdain for folder organization is why many people can't use iPads for serious work. For example, if I'm working with a graphics file, there are three or four apps that I might use to work on that file but iOS doesn't allow that kind of thing without a lot of headaches. iOS assumes that for every single file, there is one and only one app that can work on that file.


2. Right now, it requires holding the command key down to EITHER open a folder into a new window or open the folder into a new tab in the current window, depending upon a Finder preference setting. This adds more time IN BOTH CASES. There is no upside. It takes everyone longer to do something simple. Keeping the old way--a simple double click without a modifier key--has no disadvantage at all for everyone. That's why this change is so bizarre.


As for item (1) above, the advantage is that there are far more simpletons in the world than people who have thousands of files they need to keep organized. From a marketshare perspective, it's possible to at least explain why Apple is throwing certain users under the bus. But there is no possible explanation for (2).

Nov 19, 2013 8:35 AM in response to petermac87

Yes,Peter,correct.Do you think this could have something to do with the fact that Mavericks is a free upgrade,and that Mountain Lion wasn't? If something is offered free,more people will take advantage of it. Yes? No?


This farce that Apple has created reminds me of food manufacturers. In the UK,Kellogg's changed their recipes,to make their products 'more healthy'. Many people,and I don't mean millions of people,complained about the new recipes' horrible tastes. Heinz messed around with their formulas for tomato ketchup. Again,people,a minority,not a majority,complained. So,what do you think happend? Did these two companies have a "the public are wrong,we are right" attitude,or did they say "the customer is always right" and revert to the recipes previously enjoyed? Yes,it was the latter. And we,in this thread want Apple to reinstate some things we have previously enjoyed.


It's been stated that people at Apple never read these forums,threads,or whatever you wish to call them. How do these people know this to be fact,eh? How? If I worked for Apple,and I implemented such changes,I would want to read what people think of my product,be they good or bad comments.


To those who like Apple's changes,maybe you are in the wrong thread. In fact,I know you are in the wrong section of Discussions. So,have you thought about setting up a new thread,calling it 'I Love Apple's Changes to Finder (and Dots that have Replaced Coloured Labels)'?

Some people are here.of course,to antagonise.

Oh,and I do not have ISSUES with Mavericks. I have PROBLEMS with Mavericks. Issues are things that are,well,issued,like magazines and tickets.


So,one final time.if you are here to antagonise,then go away. You are unwelcome. Go start your own thread,and see if you get as many followers as there are here.

For those who are here,like me,for a good reason,then keep your opinions coming,whilst at the same time,letting Apple know of your dislike for certain features of Mavericks,which,I'm sure,you have already done,but just in case you haven't..........http://www.apple.com/feedback/http://

Nov 19, 2013 8:47 AM in response to Wizard_Magic_Spell

I have no dislike of Mavericks. Why would I leave feedback? Why would I start a thread? These are troubleshooting forums. You may care to look closely at the problems you are having with your text highlight locked on and your attitude and inability to shorten your replies. I don't notice much of help in your posts. If you hate Mavericks so much you can always return to Mountain Lion. Of Windows. Or simply get a job with Apple, work your way to the top and create the next OSXs and make them the way that suit your needs, as you expect them to do now. Then your problems would go away. And so may you.


Cheers


Pete

Nov 19, 2013 9:26 AM in response to petermac87

Perhaps he would like to use the new operating system's positive features, which frankly I don't know what those are from a Non-programmer's position, but from a user perspective this forum is discussing and trying to encourage people to officially log their dissatisfaction with having this Fundamental workflow disrupted. If you are happy with it great, but as has been already posted, your comments are not helpful, but perhaps your purpose is to just disrupt-to which u succeeded briefly. I know I won't spend any more time on any further similar comments.


FYI, we can't all just go backwards. I have a brand new MacBook and don't have that option, so I appreciate knowing that others share my thoughts on this-and perhaps if enough people care about it- we will regain this "feature."

Nov 19, 2013 9:45 AM in response to jpmindstorm

JP,you mean those "over 200 new features" you and I can't find in Mavericks?!

I agree with everything you say.

I am not even being selfish about this. As previously stated,those who like the way Finder/double click etc,now works,fair enough,enjoy it. However,there are many users who dislike them,who want labels reinstatiing. Is that too much to Ask of Apple?

And don't get me started on the tagging metadata system now being used in Mavericks' Spotlight. For heaven's sake!


PS:In the thread about coloured labels being replaced by tags,Peter re-contacted me. I will paste my response below.



I don't wish to squabble. If my use of the word 'antagoniser' does not apply to you,then it doesn't apply to you. Let's keep this brief,eh? To-ing and fro-ing messages is not going to solve anything.

To reiterate: I did install Mavericks on day 1 of its release,like many did,even you,probably. It was unstable. Finder crashes,Finder disappearing,failed restarts. If Mavericks had ears,it would have been offended at what I was shouting at it! However,I am so peeved at the loss of the coloured folders and the inability to double click a folder to open in a new window,that I'd have gone back to ML,even if Mavericks was stable.

I have mentioned earlier that I am not even suggesting Apple takes away the tags and the new folder actions. If people like them,fair enough. What I am saying is that surely a System Preference could be implemented,you know,to give us a choice of how we want things to look and behave. Agree?

I will paste this message in the other forum,with your permission,to show everybody that we are not enemies,just two people with somewhat slightly different views.

Nov 19, 2013 11:49 AM in response to Wizard_Magic_Spell

Thanks for the Repost Wizard. I appreciate your tone as well as your comments. I don't enjoy non-constructive back and forth. So it is always nice to see civility and politeness on the net. : )


In the end, I am a professional, and I would just like my tools to work as efficiently as possible. In some cases that method may seem inefficient to others, but it is the efficiency of countless repeated actions over 15-20 some years. It truly reminds me of what it always felt like when I was forced to work on a co-workers PC. Don't know if it will ever be given back, even as an option, but I hope someone who has some real influence knows how we feel.

Nov 19, 2013 11:55 AM in response to Scott Newman

I agree with Scott's summation that the removal of the double click hinders productivity in a desktop environment. Its absence is even more frustrating since the action was replaced by one that makes folders and files more confusing to navigate in relation to an action that had no disadvantage.


For many of the other replies, the question of whether or not you should downgrade, or "Apple is stupid" is not the issue. This thread has been going for many weeks now and clearly a number of users are as puzzled as I am on the removal of this basic desktop interface. I hope all of us have registered feedback with Apple, where I honestly believe they do listen to users. This thread remains useful as a gathering of like-minded users who want a very basic interface back as it was. Those who are here to tangent otherwise may post as you wish, but please understand that there are a multitude of us who sincerely believe the removal of the double click makes no sense whatsoever.

Nov 19, 2013 12:39 PM in response to Eric Desantis

A few folks have summed it up nicely & I’d just like to add my voice to that chorus.

Changes such as those that have been made to folder actions and labelling may be quite tolerable to many but as is becoming quite clear there are many of us that find they represent a backwards step in productivity.

I love change, I embrace it, bring it on I say BUT… when the change that takes place occurs for no explicable reason based on real-world needs, creates no advantage for users and actually creates more and more little productivity slow-downs then you have to ask what is their reasoning?

I fully get why they may add new features but I just fail to understand why they would remove quality elements of the OS and replace them with substandard options.

Why is Apple so determined to make the desktop OS function like a giant iPad?

I don’t want or need my desktop machine to act like a tablet. I need it to work.

I mean, really Apple, even web-browsers have a right-click option to ‘open link in new window’.

And to the ‘haters’ that are trolling this thread I ask you… how many times a day did you used to open folders and need them to open in a new window? And how many times a day did you tag your folders/files with various colour coding?

For me I couldn’t count as both are a necessary part of my workflow.

It’s not a case of ‘just shut-up and learn the new way’ these changes have had a negative impact on workflow that there is no work-around for.

And incidentally I have now sent Apple four messages through the feedback form & this week mailed a letter to Apple Australia & Apple US.


Now back OT - Someone mentioned that you can use command-click to open folders in a new window.

Can someone please explain how?

Nov 19, 2013 3:26 PM in response to Wizard_Magic_Spell

Seems like a statement of the blinking obvious but I finally worked out what it is that irks me (and slows work-flow...) with this new finder folder operation...
It forces you to work in a linear fashion - You can only drill down one direction then you have to back out the same way.

The previous multi-window system allowed you to work with your folders and files in a very natural organic manner - Folders nested inside a master folder could be opened and files could be swapped between enclosed folders as well as the master folder.

If you needed a simple explanation for why this new operation is a step backwards that is it - linear V's organic !

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Mavericks Finder - how default to "double click opens new window"?

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