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

Oct 24, 2013 9:21 AM in response to John Dorsey

I'm extremely infuriated with this change and really holding myself back from typing all sorts of profanities.


There are many people like myself who are spacially and visually oriented.

It is much more efficient to find items by location than searching by name. I find it very easy to remember where a file is rather than the name of the file.

I understand that not everybody's brain works this way but it does for a large percentage of the population.


The Mavericks Finder reminds me of the Windows File Explorer. I am now forced to do a dictionary search for files by name in a Finder window. And, if I don't remember the name of a file or folder then I have to keep scanning up and down and around the window until one of the file names rings a bell.


Apple, please add an option to open folders in a new window instead of recyling the existing window!!!

Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please!!!

Oct 24, 2013 10:51 AM in response to John Dorsey

Funny thing is my Finder windows only open in new windows, even though the "open in tabs" is checked. Wonder if I can pass my bug on to you folks.


A temporary solution is that you can drag-and-drop files into tabs, which I actually find quite convenient. I used to have numerous windows open as well and I like the less cluttered feel of tabs although moving files seemed to be more difficult with tabs until I saw that you can drag and drop into the tab.


Not sure if this accomplishes exacly what you're trying to do but I think in reality it will accomplish the same thing.

Oct 24, 2013 11:21 AM in response to John Dorsey

Hi John,


Two ways to get what you want. 1) Command-T creates a new tab. Open your folder in that tab, then drag the tab to your desktop. It becomes another window. 2)Open a finder window and navigate to one of the folders you want. Then double click on your hard drive and a second window will open, which you can use to get to the next folder.


The second is the way I have always done it, and old habits die hard. I am going to try to work with tabs and see if the new way is better, once I become used to it. I'm an old fogey myself, so sympathize. Hope one of these fills the gap for you


Zeph

Oct 24, 2013 11:36 AM in response to John Dorsey

Posting here to join the growing crowd who would really appriciate the return of this basic functionality-- or at least the option to have it back.


Note holding the command key does open a folder in a new window, but the problem that often occurs is that holding the command key -also- slects multiple items in the finder window. So it takes some concentration to avoid opening several new windows if you are clicking around.


Please everyone, take an extra minute to leave feedback for Apple so they know this is a functionality users want to keep.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Oct 24, 2013 12:31 PM in response to costars

Yes. So does right-clicking and selecting a menu item. Neither however is as straightforward or unerrant as the (almost 30 year old) convention of double-clicking. Moreover the Finder now routinely forgets the position and other attributes of these separate folder windows, often simply opening them as an offset clone of the parent. What little remains of the "open in new window" functionality is almost a cruel taunt.

Oct 24, 2013 12:50 PM in response to costars

The command-double-click and option-double-click and contextual menu behavior depends on the a Finder Preference settings.


When "Open folders in tabs instead of new windows" is checked:

- command-double-click opens the folder in a new tab in the same window

- option-double-click opens the folder in a new window and closes the previous window

- contextual menu has "Open In New Tab" as first item

- contextual menu with option key held down has "Open In New Window" as first item


When "Open folders in tabs instead of new windows" is un-checked:

- command-double-click opens the folder in a new window but does not close the previous window

- option-double-click opens the folder in a new window and closes the previous window

- contextual menu has "Open In New Window" as first item

- contextual menu with option key held down has "Open In New Tab" as first item


If you ever forget to use any of the options above and accidentally open a folder with a simple double-click your window position and size will be change. You will have to move it back and resize it back the way it was. Argh!!!

The real problem with this is that it is destructive - you can't undo the changes to the window.


I really miss the original Finder behavior which was:

- double-click opens folder in a new window

- option-double-click opens folder in a new window and closes previous window

And, the window position, size, and view was never changed.

Oct 24, 2013 8:43 PM in response to John Dorsey

Okay, I have registered my annoyance with the feedback link. This is worse than when they unceremoniously yanked RSS out of Safari. My magic mouse scrolling qiuts working in the finder, works everywhere else, have to reboot to get it to work. As such I have scroll bars turned back on. ***** being an early adopter sometimes. Still waiting for them to fix iOS7....

Oct 24, 2013 10:22 PM in response to trypt

Dropdown with the three different options would make absolutely perfect sense, just like the "new finder windows shows" one above it. Things used to be perfect in 10.4. Now, whenever I setup a new mac, I have to go into those prefs, check all 4 boxes on top, change the dropdown to Desktop, check the box (that used to say open in new window), and then change the spring loaded folders checked to short.


Apple needs to realize that some people will have the exact 180 degree opposite way of doing things than the recent fanboy generation... especially the ones who have been around since the OS 8.x days... shouldn't be throwing us under the bus.

Oct 25, 2013 1:13 AM in response to Alex Geis

Bingo. I don't understand why Apple always makes these either or type of changes. They are so tied to the "make Macs simple" that sometimes they make it too simple. No one is going to freak out if you give us a bunch of choices. The average person will not even venture in to these menus. For the rest of us, let us choose what qualofgoes as simple or efficient. Don't decide for us.

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

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