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FlyingTexan

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 13, 2015
941
783
Is there anything I can do that basically makes the MacOS more like windows with file explorer? I like the integration of MacOS with my phone and being able to use messages on it but really I’ve always hated how MacOS does its file systems.
 

hg.wells

macrumors 65816
Apr 1, 2013
1,066
789
There are multiple Finder replacement apps. What are some of your frustrations with the file system?
 

stumblingfalk

macrumors member
Jun 14, 2021
30
16
MacOS Finder and general OS navigation/GUI is just plain terrible comapred to the actual shipwreck that is Windows 10/11. Believe it or not, Windows Explorer is better in so many ways, even search works much better and it is f'ed in Windows. Best alternative I've found as an is "Forklift" (paid), but it still requires a quite radical minshift to work somewhat decently and its still nowhere near Explorer.

This is speaking as a 25 year Windows everyday (power) user and 3 year MacOS everyday (suicide candidate) user with a couple of Macs and an iPhone. I hate Finder with every fiber of my being, the developers should be exiled to h Mars, in a Tesla roadster, wearing Hawaii shirts and shorts.

Other usefull applications to make MacOS just slightly less PITA is

Ubar (emulates Windows task bad, kind of).
BetterTouchTool (allows much more extensive keyboard shortcuts than anything in Windows, basically allows you to shortcutt to any app, start it if not active, or switch to it if active, thus negating the whole trying to navigate between apps insanity in MacOS.)
AltTab (Windows style alt-tab using option + tab with previews and so forth)
 
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FlyingTexan

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 13, 2015
941
783
Some examples of what you’re finding frustrating would help make recommendations.
Open up windows explorer and that's what I'm trying to get. An easy to access, maneuverable, file system that makes better work of a file tree.
 

FlyingTexan

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 13, 2015
941
783
MacOS Finder and general OS navigation/GUI is just plain terrible comapred to the actual shipwreck that is Windows 10/11. Believe it or not, Windows Explorer is better in so many ways, even search works much better and it is f'ed in Windows. Best alternative I've found as an is "Forklift" (paid), but it still requires a quite radical minshift to work somewhat decently and its still nowhere near Explorer.

This is speaking as a 25 year Windows everyday (power) user and 3 year MacOS everyday (suicide candidate) user with a couple of Macs and an iPhone. I hate Finder with every fiber of my being, the developers should be exiled to h Mars, in a Tesla roadster, wearing Hawaii shirts and shorts.

Other usefull applications to make MacOS just slightly less PITA is

Ubar (emulates Windows task bad, kind of).
BetterTouchTool (allows much more extensive keyboard shortcuts than anything in Windows, basically allows you to shortcutt to any app, start it if not active, or switch to it if active, thus negating the whole trying to navigate between apps insanity in MacOS.)
AltTab (Windows style alt-tab using option + tab with previews and so forth)
Yea I'm not a fan of the windows 11 setup but I've managed to get my desktop trimmed down to be much more functional as well. They should have left it alone at the windows 7 setup. If I wanted a video and pictures and everything else folder I'd make one but I did slim it down. Seems like this new version you have to scroll down a lot to get to the good stuff.

Honestly if they'd make a windows laptop that was lightweight and could match the macbook for batterylife, speaker quality, messages, and airdrop I'd pay much more for it. The more I use MacOS the more I realize how unfunctional it is. It's like if there isn't a program at the bottom of the page you just don't bother even using it anymore. Again, if they could give me windows 7 style on a macbook quality laptop I'd be all over it.
 

blubyu

macrumors member
Feb 10, 2010
96
13
You do know that you can drag your drive down to the dock, change it to list and folder and then you can click on it, see Applications, and launch any program you want Ala "Windows" style right?
 

Heindijs

macrumors 6502
May 15, 2021
424
843
One that I've used for many years is Xtrafinder. It used to be way more necessary, but now a lot of the features it added are built into the OS by Apple. It's still worth it if you dare to disable SIP (which I wouldn't really recommend)
 
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