How to set default finder window size?

Question

How do I set the default size of my finder window to a size of my choice? Currently each time I open a finder window, it opens up in a very small size and I have to adjust it before I can start looking for my files. I'm running Yosemite.

Answer 1

It is very easy to do this:

1. Open a new Finder window.

2. As you resize the window, hold the Command ⌘ (not Alt / Option) key. Close resized window.

3. Then hold the Alt / Option key as you right click on Finder in the Dock and click Relaunch. Another way to implement this step is to press Command ⌘ + Alt ⌥ / Esc, select Finder from the menu to pop-up and click on Relaunch.

4. Any Finder windows opened after this will open at that size.

Note: This does not work for windows opened from folders on the desktop.

Answer 2

This works for me in MacOS Catalina, Monterey (in 2022) and Ventura (in 2023):

1. Open a new Finder window, do not navigate to any folders yet;

2. Resize the window to the size you want (however don't move the window to your desired location yet);

3. To lock the location and size:

4. start by pressing the Command ⌘ and Alt / Option keys together and drag the window to your desired location;

5. release your mouse button first then release the Command ⌘ AND Alt / Option keys second;

6. Close resized window;

7. Any Finder windows opened after this will open at that size.

Answer 3

Open a finder window, hold down the option key and resize the window as you wish. Close all finder windows and next time you open a new one it will remember the size.

Answer 4

Open a folder in list or cover flow view. Then press cmd+J. Now hold option key and press Return to default button at the bottom. New finder windows will be opened normally. You can try deleting .DS_Store file in folders with false view.

You can also delete the normally hidden .DS_Store file with some utilities or with the terminal app and a command line removal - since Finder will recreate this file when it's missing, it's pretty safe to delete them.

 rm .DS_Store

You need to get to the directory so you can type cd and then drag in the folder that needs clearing. (Navigate one folder up in path view or using the title bar of the finder window) and drag the folder in to the terminal window after you type cd and space

Answer 5

Previous solutions seem to have stopped working with recent macOS releases. Yesterday, I answered a very similar question related to both size and position of Finder windows. I am reflecting it here for completeness.

There's now a specific solution to Finder's lack of ability to remember its size and position. What's more, it seems to have been inspired by this exact question.

FinderFix Give extra powers to your Finder windows!

If after all those years of using your Mac you are still fighting with Finder to get it to behave as you wish, look no further, FinderFix will get it to open every new window in the exact same position and size you want it to.

I tried it, and it works as advertised. It also comes with some of the essential features of TotalFinder such as the option of opening all windows in tabbed mode or activating Cut & Paste with Cmd+X / Cmd+V, without compromising the System Integrity Protection (SIP).

Answer 6

Applescript

For the desperate, here is something you could run as a cron job:

tell application "Finder"
    set everyWindow to every Finder window
    repeat with currentWindow in everyWindow
        set bounds of currentWindow to {100, 100, 1200, 750} -- Adjust the dimensions as needed
    end repeat
end tell