MacOS: Finder and System Shortcuts

MacOS: Finder and System Shortcuts

MacOS: Finder and System Shortcuts

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

To use a keyboard shortcut, press and hold one or more modifier keys and then press the last key of the shortcut. For example, to use Command+C (copy), press and hold the Command key, then the C key, then release both keys. Mac menus and keyboards often use symbols for certain keys, including modifier keys:
  1. Command (or Cmd) ⌘
  2. Shift ⇧
  3. Option (or Alt) ⌥
  4. Control (or Ctrl) ⌃
  5. Caps Lock ⇪
  6. Fn 

On keyboards made for Windows PCs, use the Alt key instead of Option, and the Ctrl key or Windows logo key instead of Command.

Some keys on some Apple keyboards have special symbols and functions, such as for display brightness , keyboard brightness , and more. If these functions aren’t available on your keyboard, you might be able to reproduce some of them by creating your own keyboard shortcuts. To use these keys as F1, F2, F3, or other standard function keys, combine them with the Fn key.

Finder and System Shortcuts

  1. Command+D: Duplicate the selected files.
  2. Command+E: Eject the selected disk or volume.
  3. Command+F: Start a Spotlight search in the Finder window.
  4. Command+I: Show the Get Info window for a selected file.
  5. Command+R: (1) When an alias is selected in the Finder: show the original file for the selected alias. (2) In some apps, such as Calendar or Safari, refresh or reload the page. (3) In Software Update, check for software updates again.
  6. Shift+Command+C: Open the Computer window.
  7. Shift+Command+D: Open the desktop folder.
  8. Shift+Command+F: Open the Recents window, showing all of the files you viewed or changed recently.
  9. Shift+Command+G: Open a Go to Folder window.
  10. Shift+Command+H: Open the Home folder of the current macOS user account.
  11. Shift+Command+I: Open iCloud Drive.
  12. Shift+Command+K: Open the Network window.
  13. Option+Command+L: Open the Downloads folder.
  14. Shift+Command+N: Create a new folder.
  15. Shift+Command+O: Open the Documents folder.
  16. Shift+Command+P: Show or hide the Preview pane in Finder windows.
  17. Shift+Command+R: Open the AirDrop window.
  18. Shift+Command+T: Show or hide the tab bar in Finder windows.
  19. Control+Shift+Command+T: Add selected Finder item to the Dock (OS X Mavericks or later)
  20. Shift+Command+U: Open the Utilities folder.
  21. Option+Command+D: Show or hide the Dock.
  22. Control+Command+T: Add the selected item to the sidebar (OS X Mavericks or later).
  23. Option+Command+P: Hide or show the path bar in Finder windows.
  24. Option+Command+S: Hide or show the Sidebar in Finder windows.
  25. Command+Slash (/): Hide or show the status bar in Finder windows.
  26. Command+J: Show View Options.
  27. Command+K: Open the Connect to Server window.
  28. Control+Command+A: Make an alias of the selected item.
  29. Command+N: Open a new Finder window.
  30. Option+Command+N: Create a new Smart Folder.
  31. Command+T: Show or hide the tab bar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
  32. Option+Command+T: Show or hide the toolbar when a single tab is open in the current Finder window.
  33. Option+Command+V: Move the files in the Clipboard from their original location to the current location.
  34. Command+Y: Use Quick Look to preview the selected files.
  35. Option+Command+Y: View a Quick Look slideshow of the selected files.
  36. Command+1: View the items in the Finder window as icons.
  37. Command+2: View the items in a Finder window as a list.
  38. Command+3: View the items in a Finder window in columns.
  39. Command+4: View the items in a Finder window in a gallery.
  40. Command+Left Bracket ([): Go to the previous folder.
  41. Command+Right Bracket (]): Go to the next folder.
  42. Command+Up Arrow: Open the folder that contains the current folder.
  43. Command+Control+Up Arrow: Open the folder that contains the current folder in a new window.
  44. Command+Down Arrow: Open the selected item.
  45. Right Arrow: Open the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
  46. Left Arrow: Close the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
  47. Command+Delete: Move the selected item to the Trash.
  48. Shift+Command+Delete: Empty the Trash.
  49. Option+Shift+Command+Delete: Empty the Trash without confirmation dialog.
  50. Command+Brightness Down: Turn video mirroring on or off when your Mac is connected to more than one display.
  51. Option+Brightness Up: Open Displays preferences. This works with either Brightness key.
  52. Control+Brightness Up or Control+Brightness Down: Change the brightness of your external display, if supported by your display.
  53. Option+Shift+Brightness Up or Option+Shift+Brightness Down: Adjust the display brightness in smaller steps. Add the Control key to this shortcut to make the adjustment on your external display, if supported by your display.
  54. Option+Mission Control: Open Mission Control preferences.
  55. Command+Mission Control: Show the desktop.
  56. Control+Down Arrow: Show all windows of the front app.
  57. Option+Volume Up: Open Sound preferences. This works with any of the volume keys.
  58. Option+Shift+Volume Up or Option+Shift+Volume Down: Adjust the sound volume in smaller steps.
  59. Option+Keyboard Brightness Up: Open Keyboard preferences. This works with either Keyboard Brightness key.
  60. Option+Shift+Keyboard Brightness Up or Option+Shift+Keyboard Brightness Down: Adjust the keyboard brightness in smaller steps.
  61. Option key while double+clicking: Open the item in a separate window, then close the original window.
  62. Command key while double+clicking: Open a folder in a separate tab or window.
  63. Command key while dragging to another volume: Move the dragged item to the other volume, instead of copying it.
  64. Option key while dragging: Copy the dragged item. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
  65. Option+Command while dragging: Make an alias of the dragged item. The pointer changes while you drag the item.
  66. Option+click a disclosure triangle: Open all folders within the selected folder. This works only when in list view.
  67. Command+click a window title: See the folders that contain the current folder.

Click the Go menu in the Finder menu bar to see shortcuts for opening many commonly used folders, such as Applications, Documents, Downloads, Utilities, and iCloud Drive.

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