Finder View Defaults to top

[calisurfboy]

I restored my computer via time machine. Now I have this annoying feature I cannot figure out how to turn off.

When I am in a finder window, click on a folder, then click back, it returns me to the top of the finder window. This is a problem when I am looking at lengthy list of files and folders because I have to re-scroll back down the window to where I was originally located before double clicking.

Is this a "new" feature of El Capitan? How do I turn it off?

 

[Rodan52]

Why did you restore your computer?
You ask if this is a "new" feature of El Capitan, have you performed an update to El Capitan or have you just Upgraded to El Capitan?
As to your question about the Finder as far as I can recall it has always been this way.
Perhaps, with respect, you could become a little smarter about how to use the Finder. There are at least three ways to do anything on a Mac. For example use a different View. I use Column view whenever I'm working with sub folders so I can see the enclosing folders all the time. Or in List view simply type the first letter of the file or folder you were in after pressing the back button. I use this a lot especially if the name starts with v,w,x or y. In the Finder Preferences menu you can set what ever view you are viewing as the default in "Show View Options".
There are also keyboard shortcuts, or you can use Full Screen View for the finder Window and put Mission Control on a "Hot Corner." Use more than one Finder Window, use more than one Desktop the list is endless.
If you would like any help or instructions with any of these please get back to me or these forums.

 

[sibcc]

I also find it very annoying. A properly designed file manager will not have that behavior; that is, when you go back, you're back where you started and not at the top. In fact, that's the whole point of going back. If you manipulate a lot of files and want a GUI, I suggest Pathfinder as a replacement. OTOH, if you're not descending and ascending directories with a large number of entries, then finder is adequate. My other problem with finder is it does not put directories on top, but rather places directories amongst the files—so much for having a hierarchical filing system for organization.

 

[BrianBaughn]

I also think that the back arrow should take you to where you were.

The OP might be better off using Finder window tabs.

 

[calisurfboy]

I upgraded from Yosemite to El Capitan. Before being able to use El Capitan for more than five minutes, my fusion drive crashed. I have a 3 TB iMac that is recalled. I'm not sure what happened but my time machine does not display any dates prior to the upgrade to El Capitan for me to roll back upon.

After searching google all last night, I found 100+ with same problem. There is no correct term so your trying to find posts describing a problem. This is why I couldn't find them beforehand.

In the finder view when you click on a folder to open it then use the back button, finder does not return you to your previous location but defaults to the very top of the finder window. This is a problem when your dealing with thousands of files. No, having to open a tab and closing it each time is not a practical solution when, again, your dealing with thousands of files on a daily basis.

The other posts are unsure if this is a bug or a new "feature" in El Capitan 10.11.1. We all report the same issue with no response from Apple. It didn't appear in clean installs of Yosemite or Mavericks but does with El Capitan.

 

[BrianBaughn]

In the finder view when you click on a folder to open it then use the back button, finder does not return you to your previous location but defaults to the very top of the finder window. This is a problem when your dealing with thousands of files. No, having to open a tab and closing it each time is not a practical solution when, again, your dealing with thousands of files on a daily basis.

I have heard that the beta for OS X 10.11.2 has fixed this issue. Can anyone confirm?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Today's official update to OS X 10.11.2 fixes this Finder issue. Now, clicking the back arrow in a Finder window takes you back to your prior scrolled position.