Finder random sort/arrange every time I open it

[rbtroj]

I am using a Mac again for the first time in about 20 years and am running into some confusion while trying to get reacquainted.

One thing I've noticed happening almost all of the time is that Finder seems to choose a random view, sort, and arrangement every time I open it, even when opening a folder I just visited. Sometimes it opens in column view, other times in icon view. Sometimes it opens with the files arranged by name, other times arranged by kind. Sometimes the window is sorted by name, other times by date last modified/opened.

I keep setting up Finder so that it displays a certain way, but it never seems to recall that way and I can't seem to find anywhere in preferences to make it sticky. I assume, like Windows, there is some level of "intelligence" where the Finder arranges files based on the type of media it detects. Is there a way to disable that? Is there a way for me to arrange my Finder view/sort the way I like it, apply it to all folders, and then make that setup persistent?

I am on OS X 10.8.3

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[rbtroj]

Ok - I have a little bit more of an idea of what happened. I guess if you continue to hold command while dragging over the folder it will open a new instance of finder if you hover over that folder too long. I don't even know if you need to hold command when dragging the files - I thought that could copy them instead of moving them.

So, still no idea where the files landed since the mouse was no longer over its intended destination when the new finder instance opened. I would figure they'd show up in a search, but no such luck so far.

 

[w0lf]

I am using a Mac again for the first time in about 20 years and am running into some confusion while trying to get reacquainted.

One thing I've noticed happening almost all of the time is that Finder seems to choose a random view, sort, and arrangement every time I open it, even when opening a folder I just visited. Sometimes it opens in column view, other times in icon view. Sometimes it opens with the files arranged by name, other times arranged by kind. Sometimes the window is sorted by name, other times by date last modified/opened.

I keep setting up Finder so that it displays a certain way, but it never seems to recall that way and I can't seem to find anywhere in preferences to make it sticky. I assume, like Windows, there is some level of "intelligence" where the Finder arranges files based on the type of media it detects. Is there a way to disable that? Is there a way for me to arrange my Finder view/sort the way I like it, apply it to all folders, and then make that setup persistent?

I am on OS X 10.8.3

Thanks for any suggestions!

If you want a folder to always open in a certain view you need to tell it that, otherwise it will just copy the view of the last folder you visited.

In order to set a folder to always open/display a certain way simply open the folder, set it to the view you prefer and press Command + j

You should see something like this:

Make sure to check the always open in ____ view and set it up however you want. You can then close that window and the next time you open that folder it should display just as you specified it to.

Ok - I have a little bit more of an idea of what happened. I guess if you continue to hold command while dragging over the folder it will open a new instance of finder if you hover over that folder too long. I don't even know if you need to hold command when dragging the files - I thought that could copy them instead of moving them.

So, still no idea where the files landed since the mouse was no longer over its intended destination when the new finder instance opened. I would figure they'd show up in a search, but no such luck so far.

I think you posted this in the wrong thread?

 

[rbtroj]

Yes I did! Thank you!

Thanks also for the tips on the finder settings!

Much appreciated.

 

[67bmer]

If you want a folder to always open in a certain view you need to tell it that, otherwise it will just copy the view of the last folder you visited.

In order to set a folder to always open/display a certain way simply open the folder, set it to the view you prefer and press Command + j

You should see something like this:

Image

Make sure to check the always open in ____ view and set it up however you want. You can then close that window and the next time you open that folder it should display just as you specified it to.



Thank you very much!!!
I am not a mac or OSX expert and I had the most incomprehensible order I have ever seen. This is very cool!