Organizing the Apps without Launchpad... in case you find it interesting

[Leon1das]

On M1 Macs - system apps cannot be removed
(SSV needs to be disabled, as SIP removal is not enough)

If you are coming from Windows like me (and hate the Launchpad - being ipad-ish)
Here is another way to organize apps how you like and hide the others you dont need
In a nutshell: use the Finder.

First - how it looks:

Second - how to make it

1. Open Finder settings and create Tags (Social, Office etc whatever you like). Give them numbers in advance as Tags are sorted by name and this may not fit the most important order to you.

2. Open folder Applications and assign the tags to each app (person who invented tags should be given Nobel prize)

3. View: choose Icons, and click Command+J: choose Group by: Tags, Sort by: Name. Click: Always open in icon view. Adapt the icon and grid size to fit your liking. For me its icon size: 60 which is sized like icons in the Dock.

4. In Finder settings - set to open Applications each time you launch Finder.


Edit: You cant tag system apps, but you can create Alias (shortcut) of them and then tag the alias

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

Or, you could simply put the apps you want on the dock along the bottom. If you make it smaller, you can fit more.
I remove the apps I don't want, like TV or Podcasts or Music.
I now do this for all the OS's that I run -- macOS, Windows and various forms of Linux.

On macOS, if I want an app that isn't in the dock, I just go CMD-SPACE and start typing the first few letters of its name, like CMD-SPACE PLE gives me Plex. On Windows or Linux, it's just a matter of pressing the Windows key and typing a few letters.
I learnt computing before there were GUIs and Mices, so it is easier for me to use the keyboard to find something and get it going.

I never use Launchpad (one more thing removed from the Dock) and rarely go into the Applications folder.

 

[theSeb]

Neat idea. I like it. I use tags on files for other purposes and I mostly use cmd+spacebar to open applications, so I would not use this, but I really like it. I hate launchpad too and I use the old school method of browsing apps from the dock, if I have forgotten the name of an app that I have not used for a while. I keep my dock fairly minimal.

I use "Display as folder" and do the same thing for Utilities and Downloads for handy access when I am too lazy to reach for the keyboard. cmd+space as mentioned by @DaveFromCampbelltown is by far the best thing since sliced bread.

 

[leman]

Or just use Spotlight to launch apps, which is probably the quickest method. I don’t think I ever even used Launchpad...

 

[OldCorpse]

I have been using the PERFECT app for this, since Snow Leopard. I cannot live without it. I use it every day that I’m on my mac, constantly.

It is called Overflow, from Stuntsoftware. It’s $15.

It lives on the dock, and you collect all your most used apps, files, documents, folders, links, bookmarks etc. organized in any order or configuration you wish. So you have instant access to ALL your key stuff from one app on your dock with no clutter.

Now, I use it slightly differently than Stuntsoftware intends (they think it’s useful for your less used apps, whereas I use panels to collect groups of apps associated with a given task or workflow), but the point is Organized Access.

I cannot even explain how insanely useful it is. I can’t function on a mac without it. It’s the first app I install on a new machine.

It’s my secret productivity weapon.

 

[BrianBaughn]

I use Launchpad a good bit but it's not on my dock. I set up Control-Spacebar to invoke it and start typing the app name immediately. No mousing…and unlike Spotlight results other than apps don't appear.

I've learned a trick about Launchpad that helps some: with multi-word named items you can type the first letters of the words in the app's name, like "du" for "Disk Utility" (or capitilized letters such as "hb" for apps like HandBrake), without spaces to narrow the results shown.

 

[edk99]

Or just use Spotlight to launch apps, which is probably the quickest method. I don’t think I ever even used Launchpad...

This is what I do. I hardly ever go into launchpad

 

[theSeb]

I use Launchpad a good bit but it's not on my dock. I set up Control-Spacebar to invoke it and start typing the app name immediately. No mousing…and unlike Spotlight results other than apps don't appear.

I've learned a trick about Launchpad that helps some: with multi-word named items you can type the first letters of the words in the app's name, like "du" for "Disk Utility" (or capitilized letters such as "hb" for apps like HandBrake), without spaces to narrow the results shown.

But now you can’t use spotlight for quick conversions and as a calculator. I love those use cases too much.

 

[BrianBaughn]

But now you can’t use spotlight for quick conversions and as a calculator. I love those use cases too much.

I didn't replace command-spacebar. Still there.

 

[theSeb]

I didn't replace command-spacebar. Still there.

Ahh right... I understand now. I didn't read your post properly.

 

[gilby101]

Here is another way to organize apps how you like and hide the others you dont need

I like your way.

I also use Tags, but have then created Saved Searches for each category. More complex to set up but has some advantages (e.g. can include apps installed elsewhere). Similar to your way, apps can have multiple tags and appear under all tag names.

Not better, just different - and can use both!

Mostly I use Alfred or Spotlight to open an app by name. But sometimes I can't remember the name of all the photo apps I have installed and for that tagging is my solution.

 

[satcomer]

Me I just drag the Applications folder to right of my Dock! So when I click on that shortcut a fan comes up to select what app I want!

 

[gilby101]

Me I just drag the Applications folder to right of my Dock! So when I click on that shortcut a fan comes up to select what app I want!

I can tell you are not an app junkie.
When I do that the fan says "290 more in Finder". ;(

 

[Argon_]

I can tell you are not an app junkie.
When I do that the fan says "290 more in Finder". ;(