Finder window expands when I click on a file

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Level 2

150 points

Finder window expands when I click on a file

Ever since High Sierra, when I click on a file name, the Finder window will expand (up and down, get taller) in order to show all of the preview data. This was not the case in all previous versions. I usually keep a finder window open at the bottom of my screen for easy access. I make it as small as possible. In the past, when I would select a file, it would show some of the preview image (or whatever) and I was not able to see the rest unless I made the Finder window taller. I was fine with this! In most cases, I did not choose to or have to make the window taller. I could see what I needed to see if it was what I was looking for.

Now I have to either turn off preview in order for this not to happen or live with the window getting taller every time I click a file name. It drives me crazy that they have to change things that aren't broken. If I want it tall, I will make it tall. DON"T DO IT FOR ME!!!

And to make things worse, if I have the short Finder window at the bottom of my screen and I click on a file name, the OS will make the window taller, only it will make it taller from the top position of the window not moving and expanding it from the top down off the bottom of the screen. Now I can only see the top portion of the window.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a way to stop it from doing this?

Thanks in advance!

Gar

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), macOS High Sierra (10.13.3), 2.5 Ghz i7

Posted on Apr 12, 2018 8:46 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 12, 2018 10:25 PM in response to Gar Benedick

Clicking on the very border of the finder window will expand it ( make it go tall or wide ) depending on which you click, arrow tip marks the spot. It could be tabs, or how you are viewing icons only, icons and text or text only. In the dock prefs, there is an option ticked that says " Double-click a window's title bar to zoom, you could try turning it on or off. If all else fails, throw out the finder plist file and reboot, you have to reset finder settings. Also, if you hold option and drag the windows left right they tend to stay fixed for a while. It could be many things, sorry. My first suggestion is the only thing I could do to reproduce it.

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Answer 2

Gar Benedick Author

Level 2

150 points

Apr 13, 2018 10:45 AM in response to toastosxDC

toastosxDC,

Thank for the suggestions!!! I truly greatly appreciate you wanting to help with this issue! However, none of your suggestions worked. And unless I am doing something wrong, I was not able to throw away the finder.plist. I found it, but when I tried to put it in the trash, I got a message that said the OS needed it and I could not throw it away. I have tossed .plists before, but not this time. I also tried the Dock thing, by turning it off, making it Zoom and as I normally set it, to Minimize when the header is double clicked. I went through almost ever System Preference and checked and un checked every option and nothing works.

Anyway, I failed to mention in my original post that my issue is when viewing Finder in the Columns mode. I have added a few screen shots to illustrate.

This first images shows your reply behind a Finder window that is as short as MacOS will allow. This is usually what I have on my screen, the only difference is that I have it at the bottom of the screen. Notice how tall it is. Also notice that the TestFocus folder is highlighted and no file is selected/highlighted.

In this second screen shot, all I did was to click on one of the image files in the TestFocus folder and the OS automatically made the Finder window taller, from the top down. So as I mentioned in my original post, if the Finder window would have been at the bottom of the screen like I usually have it, the bottom of the Finder window would have gone off the bottom of the screen.

Please try this for me. Open a finder window in the middle of your screen. Put it in the Columns mode. Make it as short as possible and relatively wide so you can see some columns and there is room for the preview to show. Make sure you do not have a file selected, folder is okay, but not a file. Now select a file from any folder and watch what happens. The Finder window will get taller. (When I say any file, it does NOT have to be an image file. Any file will work.) Also note that while a file is selected, it is not possible to make the Finder window short again. You can make it taller, but not short like before you selected the file. Now, unselect the file by selecting a folder and now you can make the window short again.

I am beginning to believe this is the behavior that Apple is now giving us. If that is so, I wish that they would make it an option and not force it upon us.

Thank you again for your time in this matter!

Gar

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Answer 3

Apr 13, 2018 11:11 AM in response to Gar Benedick

I agree, Apple interface and finder in general have gone down hill. I could list about 10 more glitches I’ve caught. It’s very disappointing. As for the plist file, I think you tried trashing from the the Mac hardrive system folder library not the user library. Those would be the only ones to ever give that dialogue. With SIP enabled you can’t really mess with the system library only the one in your user folder. I guarantee it works.

From what I saw on your post of the window that looks pretty much correct. It will not squash down to almost flat. Final Cut Pro interface is the same and it drives me bonkers. You can eleminate the lower directory bar at the bottom and change the icons at the top of the finder to just text to get a bit more room. I don’t personally use list mode out of old habits. I like this listed by date modified or size. If I need a preview I just tap the space bar. Unfortunately the new Mac way is all “work around”. Like do it their way or it won’t play well. I will say that I’ve noticed since Mavericks odd behavior in the finder windows. So this is nothing new. I tried what you said and it works as expected, odd and uncomfortable. Let me look into it a bit deeper and I promise I will find an answer. I’m a bit busy with some animations currently. I feel your pain. You are on a laptop as well. I’m using dual 27 inch displays. So that could also make a difference. If I missed anything let me know. Sorry it really is voodoo sometimes troublsh

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Answer 4

Gar Benedick Author

Level 2

150 points

Apr 13, 2018 11:42 AM in response to toastosxDC

Thank you! Yeah, I did manage to delete the .plist (you were right) and that did nothing.

I have loved Apple from the start, however, with the new millennial doing all the coding these days, they think that all of us are stupid and they have to do everything for us to make it easier.

It reminds me of back in the earlier 80s where they said that computers would make our lives easier and that we would all work less. HA! However, every time a new release comes out, one needs to spend time learning all the crazy stuff that has changed. And most of it NOT for the better.

Thanks again for all your time!!! I was hoping there was something I was missing, like a way to turn it off!

PS - I hope someone from Apple sees this and changes it back to the way it was or at least give us a choice!

Cheers!

Gar

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Answer 5

Apr 13, 2018 11:42 AM in response to Gar Benedick

Sorry dude. And yes, you are spot on about the problems. I actually have to switch to PC on my next computer purchase because Apple doesn’t make professional machines anymore. The OS has become so bug riddled it leaves me speechless at times.

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Answer 6

Apr 13, 2018 12:08 PM in response to Gar Benedick

If you are cool with using 3rd party apps You may want to look into an app like MOOM. It’s on apples App Store. I used a version 5 years ago and it seemed to work then. Personally I don’t like loading apps that take control of the interface but read for yourself and see if an app like that may be a solution.

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Finder window expands when I click on a file

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