How To Make Finder Default Window Bigger

How to Make Finder Default Window Bigger on Your Mac

Finding the perfect default window size for your Mac's Finder can significantly boost your productivity. A larger window allows you to see more files and folders at a glance, reducing the need for constant scrolling and maximizing your screen real estate. This article will guide you through several methods to achieve this, ensuring your Finder windows open exactly how you want them.

This guide covers several approaches to customizing your Finder window size, from simple manual adjustments to using third-party applications and exploring system preferences. Let's dive in!

Method 1: Manually Adjusting the Finder Window Size

The simplest method is to manually resize the Finder window each time you open it. While not a permanent solution, it's a quick fix for immediate needs.

1. Open a Finder window: Navigate to any folder using Finder.
2. Resize the window: Grab the bottom-right corner of the window and drag it to your desired size. Experiment to find the optimal size for your screen and workflow.
3. Repeat: This manual adjustment must be repeated each time you open a new Finder window.

This approach lacks permanence but offers instant gratification if you need a bigger window right away.

Method 2: Saving a Custom Finder Window Size

This approach lets you save your preferred window size for future sessions. It won't change the default size, but it'll maintain your custom size across different folder openings within the same session.

1. Resize the window: As in Method 1, open a Finder window and resize it to your preferred dimensions.
2. Close and Reopen: Close the Finder window and then reopen it. It should retain the size you've set.

While this method helps maintain your preferred size during a single session, it doesn't persist across restarts.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications (Not Recommended for Default Size Change)

While several third-party applications promise Finder customization, directly changing the default Finder window size through such apps is generally unreliable and may introduce system instability. Focus on the inherent MacOS features for a safer and more stable solution. We don't endorse or recommend any specific third-party applications for this specific purpose.

Method 4: Optimizing Your Finder View Settings (for improved visual space)

While you can't directly change the default window size, optimizing your Finder's view settings can create the illusion of a larger window and improve your file management experience.

1. View Options: Within a Finder window, go to View > Show View Options.
2. Icon Size and Spacing: Adjust the Icon size and Icon spacing to create more space between icons, allowing you to fit more files within the existing window. Experiment with these settings to find the balance between visual clarity and space efficiency.
3. Grid or List View: Switching between Icon, List, Column, and Gallery views can alter how much information fits on the screen. Experiment to find which view best suits your needs.

This method doesn't technically enlarge the default window but maximizes the visible content within it.

Conclusion: Managing Your Finder Window Size

Although there isn't a built-in setting to directly change the default Finder window size on macOS, employing the manual adjustments and view option modifications detailed above provides workable solutions for enhancing your Finder experience. Remember that methods focusing on custom settings within a session are generally more reliable than attempting to force a default size change through external apps. Focus on maximizing your workspace with the tools available within macOS for the most stable and reliable results.