Setting default window size for new Finder windows

[cinergi]

Hello,

I'd like to set a new default window size for all new Finder windows. I can resize windows for individual folders and they will remember their size settings correctly (which are stored in the .DS_Store file in each folder), but if I create a new folder or browse to an existing folder that I haven't manually resized previously, Finder uses a default window size that is too small for me.

To clarify, I am not trying to reset the view preferences (column widths, which columns appear, etc). I know I can do this by deleting all the .DS_Store files on the system. I am trying to alter the default window size for new Finder windows. The references I've found online, which include resizing a window while holding down various keys like Command or Option, apply to previous macOS versions and don't seem to work in Sierra.

Anyone know how to do this? I'm hoping there is a hidden preference stored in some .plist file somewhere.

Thanks,
cinergi

 

[graley]

Hello,

I'd like to set a new default window size for all new Finder windows. I can resize windows for individual folders and they will remember their size settings correctly (which are stored in the .DS_Store file in each folder), but if I create a new folder or browse to an existing folder that I haven't manually resized previously, Finder uses a default window size that is too small for me.

To clarify, I am not trying to reset the view preferences (column widths, which columns appear, etc). I know I can do this by deleting all the .DS_Store files on the system. I am trying to alter the default window size for new Finder windows. The references I've found online, which include resizing a window while holding down various keys like Command or Option, apply to previous macOS versions and don't seem to work in Sierra.

Anyone know how to do this? I'm hoping there is a hidden preference stored in some .plist file somewhere.

Thanks,
cinergi

[doublepost=1482125705][/doublepost]I had luck. Select the finder icon at left of dock. Open it. Drag size to suit.
In future, finder windows might be that size

 

[cinergi]

[doublepost=1482125705][/doublepost]I had luck. Select the finder icon at left of dock. Open it. Drag size to suit.
In future, finder windows might be that size

Thanks, but that doesn't work for me (already tried). I ended up using a simple Automator script to resize the Finder window that currently has focus to my desired size, and assigned a keyboard shortcut to the script. Clunky for sure and shouldn't be necessary for such a simple operation, but it gets the job done for lack of something better.

cinergi

 

[MacGizmo]

[doublepost=1482125705][/doublepost]I had luck. Select the finder icon at left of dock. Open it. Drag size to suit.
In future, finder windows might be that size

That will work, but only for newly created folders. Each folder "remembers" its last window state (size, position, view settings, etc.). You would have to delete all the .DS_store files on the drive and reset your preferred setup for it to work with all Finder windows. Even then, it's a pain, and it generally doesn't "stick."
[doublepost=1482237798][/doublepost]

Thanks, but that doesn't work for me (already tried). I ended up using a simple Automator script to resize the Finder window that currently has focus to my desired size, and assigned a keyboard shortcut to the script. Clunky for sure and shouldn't be necessary for such a simple operation, but it gets the job done for lack of something better.
cinergi

Not sure what you would consider "better," but you might want to give FinderMinder a try. It's free. You must have the app running at all times for it to work (it's tiny), but it can be completely hidden from the Dock and Application Switcher—so you basically don't know it's running. It allows you to set the size and location of all Finder Windows when they open.

 

[cinergi]

That will work, but only for newly created folders. Each folder "remembers" its last window state (size, position, view settings, etc.). You would have to delete all the .DS_store files on the drive and reset your preferred setup for it to work with all Finder windows. Even then, it's a pain, and it generally doesn't "stick."
[doublepost=1482237798][/doublepost]
Not sure what you would consider "better," but you might want to give FinderMinder a try. It's free. You must have the app running at all times for it to work (it's tiny), but it can be completely hidden from the Dock and Application Switcher—so you basically don't know it's running. It allows you to set the size and location of all Finder Windows when they open.

Yes thanks, this definitely looks promising! I will give it a try. The fact that such an app exists illustrates the problem.

Also, in this thread, someone suggested another option: moving the Finder window after resizing it, because apparently Finder has a bug (or at least used to have in Yosemite) whereby the window size information is not saved unless the window is moved. I'll give this a try before FinderMinder just in case it works.

cinergi

 

[MacGizmo]

Also, in this thread, someone suggested another option: moving the Finder window after resizing it, because apparently Finder has a bug (or at least used to have in Yosemite) whereby the window size information is not saved unless the window is moved. I'll give this a try before FinderMinder just in case it works.
cinergi

It probably will work, but again; the problem is that the macOS only applies these view changes to NEW windows (folders) you create. Any folder/window that has ever been open before will not take on your new view settings.

The beauty of FinderMinder (there are probably other apps that do this as well) is that it applies the window size/position settings to ALL windows/folders.

 

[Gregg2]

It probably will work, but again; the problem is that the macOS only applies these view changes to NEW windows (folders) you create. Any folder/window that has ever been open before will not take on your new view settings.

In previous versions of OS X, I found that the changes would not apply if you had modified view settings in a window. But, if not, and you chose "use as defaults" in the enclosing folder window, those settings would filter down.