Column widths in finder keep resizing to useless mode

I use xtrafinder on yosemite but i have a preferences bug.

So what i did was use the export and import preferences tools

export preferences and find 'name'

you should find

<key>XtraFinder_XFFitColumnWidthPlugin_HasMaxWidth</key>

<false/>

If it's set to true change it to false and with a little luck you should find listview resizes name to fit.

1. This is an interesting and annoying feature of OSX and has been from the beginning. You can give feedback to Apple here: Apple - Mac OS X - Feedback and maybe they will change it.
2. I generally avoid haxies but this looks like it should work: TotalFinder brings tabs to your native Finder and more!

P.S. I just found this, which is a partial fix: Permanently adjust Finder column widths - YouTube

Opt-drag will let you permanently (supposedly) fix the finder window to a set width. But it doesn't adjust to the width of the window contents.

Thank you, this works for me (Mavericks).

It is actually quite "Apple" in the end i.e. a hidden little tool that is so bloody easy I should have tried it without needing to ask.

In fact, I had multiple Finder windows open at the same time and all columns in all Finder windows re-sized symaltaneously.

Thank you Arthur.

Works great. Would rather have apple update the finder to have an option for the the columns resize to "right size" automatically but this is workable. Thanks, Arthur

Thanks Arthur, very helpful!

This does NOT work for me in 10.9.5 in List view (I understand it works in Column view); it returns to extra wide when I reopen....

Doesn't work for me (iMac, Yosemite 10.10.2). I spend a huge portion of work time constantly readjusting the column width, only for it to snap back to that useless scrunched-up mode mere seconds later.

Look at all the complaints online, going back YEARS. This major bug still persists with every "upgrade." Yet when I spoke to Apple techs on the phone, they acted as if it was a strange, unheard-of phenomenon.

Try alt+double click. In yosemite auto-resizes all of them individually. But, you still have to do it periodically, but it's a lot easier than dragging each.

Thank you, Arthur. This saves a ton of time and clicking - anything to reduce the carpal tunnel is appreciated.

Now if we can figure how not to have it jump back to the top of the column after moving files between tabs, we'd be all set.

You have to make sure you're doing the Alt-Click-Drag column width fix on the main finder window - close all of the windows and have only the main default one open - this then worked for me.

check this link, it works for me

http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/how-to-resize-your-default-column-width-in-mac- finder/

OK .. I was trying these methods, when I stumbled on to this fix.

1. Open finder window ..focus is vertical bar within red oval.

2. position cursor over bar, cursor changes to " | -> " (with arrow pointing right over said bar)

3. push option key down and hold down, then you double click {left mouse button} over on the bar where cursor is hovering. ( do NOT drag anything )

4. You should see column automatically expand the the width of the widest character width in that column.

5. Release option key. (done)

Close finder window and re-open to see new column size width remembered . Hope this works for you.

Mark,

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) OSX El Capitan 10.11.3

Keep it simple, yet significant ~ Don Draper

as an addendum to my prior response, I found that if for any reason my method does NOT work , try hitting the ascending / descending arrow, that will change the alphabetized order of the files. Then repeat the steps in my prior message. This worked for me also.