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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.

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4 Answers 4

Reset to default
95

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.

  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.

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  • 2
    Does not work when opening shared network drive.
    – dbernard
    Jul 7, 2015 at 23:31
  • 4
    Doesn't work for me.
    – tog22
    Dec 17, 2015 at 19:00
  • Note: After relaunching the finder window once, through the above method, the 3rd step is not required to open the finder again. The finder window opens with the size you specified, even after restarting the mac. Tested on - mac version 10.13.6
    – Chaitanya
    Aug 11, 2018 at 17:33
  • @tog22 : you're not holding it right.
    – Mausy5043
    Sep 29, 2018 at 14:19
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    @tog22 : Yeah, I second the "you're not holding it right" (except I'd add "maybe you're..."). I had to do it several times before noting, for example, that you have to let go of the button before you let go of the command key, and you have to let go of both the Alt and Ctrl keys (I didn't have a right-clickable mouse) before you choose "relaunch". This would have been much easier as an actual option to choose, instead of this dumb click-drag gymnastics.
    – Mike Williamson
    Jan 9, 2019 at 2:07
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This works for me in MacOS Catalina 10.15.2:

  1. Open a new Finder window;

  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:

    1. start by pressing the Command ⌘ and Alt / Option keys together and drag the window to your desired location;
    2. release your mouse button first then release the Command ⌘ AND Alt / Option keys second;

  4. Close resized window;

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

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  • 1
    This works, unlike the top answer. I feel like my chest is free from a really tight fitting jacket now.
    – Sridhar Sarnobat
    Jul 16, 2021 at 23:18
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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.

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  • 1
    This is what worked for me.
    – Karthikeyan
    Nov 19, 2017 at 3:37
  • Option is disabling snapping for me.
    – SilverWolf
    Sep 3, 2018 at 21:37
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    This also worked for me on Big Sur. Both launching Finder via icon and open . from Terminal too!
    – aubreypwd
    Dec 4, 2020 at 16:31
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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

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  • Yes, it requires setting to list view. Can't do with column view. I had to do more steps than this answer describes. But I eventually got it to work.
    – Crowder
    Apr 16, 2016 at 22:58

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