Change how folders open in the Finder on Mac (2024)

macOS Sequoia 15

macOS Sonoma 14

macOS Ventura 13

macOS Monterey 12

macOS Big Sur 11.0

macOS Catalina 10.15

macOS High Sierra

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Table of Contents

Mac User Guide

  • Welcome
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
    • iMac
    • Mac mini
    • Mac Studio
    • Mac Pro
  • What’s new in macOS Sequoia
    • Work on the desktop
    • What’s in the menu bar?
    • Quickly change settings
    • What’s in the Apple menu?
    • Search with Spotlight
    • Use Siri
    • Get notifications
    • Open apps from the Dock
    • Organize your files in the Finder
    • Connect to the internet
    • Sign in to your Apple Account
    • Set up iCloud
    • Browse the web
    • Preview a file
    • Take a screenshot
    • Change your display’s brightness
    • Adjust the volume
    • Use trackpad and mouse gestures
    • Use Touch ID
    • Print documents
    • Keyboard shortcuts
    • Apps on your Mac
    • Open apps
    • Work with app windows
    • Tile app windows
    • Use apps in full screen
    • Use apps in Split View
    • Use Stage Manager
    • Get apps from the App Store
    • Install and reinstall apps from the App Store
    • Install and uninstall other apps
    • Create and work with documents
    • Open documents
    • Mark up files
    • Combine files into a PDF
    • Organize files on your desktop
    • Organize files with folders
    • Tag files and folders
    • Back up files
    • Restore files
    • Change System Settings
    • Choose your desktop picture
    • Add and customize widgets
    • Use a screen saver
    • Add a user or group
    • Add your email and other accounts
    • Automate tasks with Shortcuts
    • Create Memoji
    • Change your login picture
    • Change the system language
    • Increase the size of what’s on your screen
    • How to use Siri
    • Customize Siri
    • What are Siri Suggestions?
    • Use Siri results
    • Add Siri Shortcuts
    • Set up a Focus to stay on task
    • Block pop-ups in Safari
    • Use Dictation
    • Perform quick actions with hot corners
    • Send emails
    • Send text messages
    • Make a FaceTime call
    • Edit photos and videos
    • Use Live Text to interact with text in a photo
    • Start a Quick Note
    • Get directions
    • Intro to Continuity
    • Use AirDrop to send items to nearby devices
    • Hand off tasks between devices
    • Control your iPhone from your Mac
    • Copy and paste between devices
    • Stream video and audio with AirPlay
    • Make and receive calls and text messages on your Mac
    • Use your iPhone internet connection with your Mac
    • Share your Wi-Fi password with another device
    • Use iPhone as a webcam
    • Insert sketches, photos, and scans from iPhone or iPad
    • Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
    • Use your iPad as a second display
    • Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
    • Sync music, books, and more between devices
    • Manage Apple Account settings
    • Set your Apple Account picture
    • What is iCloud?
    • What is iCloud+?
    • Store files in iCloud Drive
    • Share and collaborate on files and folders
    • Manage iCloud storage
    • Use iCloud Photos
    • Get started with Screen Time
    • Set up Screen Time for yourself
    • Set up Screen Time for a child
    • Track app and device usage
    • Set time limits for apps and websites
    • Set up content and privacy restrictions
    • Set up Family Sharing
    • Get Family Sharing recommendations
    • Add family members to a Family Sharing group
    • Remove family members from a Family Sharing group
    • Manage sharing and parental settings
    • Share a Photo Library
    • Collaborate on projects
    • Find content shared with you
    • Find your family and friends
    • Play music
    • Watch and listen together with SharePlay
    • Listen to podcasts
    • Watch TV shows and movies
    • Read and listen to books
    • Read the news
    • Track stocks and the market
    • Play games with your friends
      • Apple Music
      • Apple TV+
      • Apple Arcade
      • Apple News+
      • Apple Podcasts
      • Manage subscriptions in the App Store
      • View your family subscriptions
    • Connect an external display
    • Use the built-in camera
    • Connect a wireless accessory
    • Connect a printer to your Mac
    • Connect AirPods to your Mac
    • Optimize your Mac battery life
    • Optimize storage space
    • Burn CDs and DVDs
    • Control accessories in your home
    • Run Windows on your Mac
    • Get started
    • Vision
    • Hearing
    • Mobility
    • Speech
    • Control what you share
    • Set up your Mac to be secure
    • Allow apps to see the location of your Mac
    • Use Private Browsing
    • Keep your data safe
    • Understand passwords
    • Change weak or compromised passwords
    • Keep your Apple Account secure
    • Use Mail Privacy Protection
    • Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites
    • Find a missing device
    • Shut down or restart your Mac
    • Start up your Mac in safe mode
    • Keep your Mac up to date
    • Reinstall macOS
    • Erase your Mac
  • Resources for your Mac
  • Resources for your Apple devices
  • Copyright
Change how folders open in the Finder on Mac (1)

When you open a folder in the Finder, the folder’s contents usually replace the current contents of the window. If you prefer, you can open a folder in a new tab or window.

Set how all folders open

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menuChange how folders open in the Finder on Mac (2) > System Settings, then click Desktop & Dock Change how folders open in the Finder on Mac (3) in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

    Open Desktop & Dock settings for me

  2. Go to Windows on the right, click the pop-up menu next to “Prefer tabs when opening documents,” then choose an option:

    • Never: Open folders in a new window, not a tab.

    • Always: Open folders in a new tab.

    • In Full Screen: Open folders in a tab only when you’re working in full screen.

Open a single folder

  • In the Finder Change how folders open in the Finder on Mac (4) on your Mac, press the Command key while you double-click the folder.

    The folder opens in a new tab or window, depending on your Finder settings. Choose Finder> Settings, then click General. Select “Open folders in tabs instead of new windows” to have folders open in tabs; deselect it to have folders open in windows.

    Tip: If the Finder toolbar and sidebar are hidden, double-clicking a folder without pressing the Command key opens the folder in a new window.

To open a new Finder window without opening a specific folder, click Change how folders open in the Finder on Mac (5) in the Dock, then choose File>New Finder Window or press Command-N.

Work with tabs

In the Finder Change how folders open in the Finder on Mac (6) on your Mac, do one of the following:

  • If all of your tabs aren’t visible, scroll through them.

  • When two or more tabs are open, click Change how folders open in the Finder on Mac (7) to open a new tab.

  • To close a tab, place the pointer over the tab, then click Change how folders open in the Finder on Mac (8).

See alsoSort and arrange items in the Finder on MacOrganize files in folders on MacChange Finder settings on MacCustomize the Finder toolbar on Mac

Helpful?

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Change how folders open in the Finder on Mac (2024)
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