Finder (software): Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:05, 3 March 2025

Finder is the default file manager and graphical user interface shell used on all macOS operating systems. It is responsible for the overall user-management of files, disks, and network volumes, and is the first application that users interact with after logging into the system.

Features[edit]

Finder provides a variety of features to enhance the user experience on macOS:

File management: Finder allows users to create, delete, move, and organize files and folders. It supports drag and drop functionality and provides a context menu for quick actions.
Search functionality: Integrated with Spotlight, Finder offers powerful search capabilities to locate files and folders quickly.
View options: Users can view files in different modes such as icon view, list view, column view, and cover flow.
Tags: Finder supports tagging of files and folders, allowing users to organize and find items based on custom tags.
Quick Look: This feature allows users to preview files without opening them in a separate application.
iCloud integration: Finder integrates with iCloud, enabling users to access their files across multiple Apple devices.

History[edit]

Finder has been a core component of the Macintosh operating system since its inception in 1984. Over the years, it has evolved significantly, incorporating new features and design changes with each major release of macOS.

References[edit]

Finder (software) gallery[edit]

Finder Big Sur

Finder Big Sur

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[file:Finder_Icon_Evolution.jpg|thumb|Finder Icon Evolution]] [[file:Finder_Icon_Evolution.jpg|thumb|Finder Icon Evolution|left]] [[file:FinderBigSur.png|thumb|FinderBigSur]] '''Finder''' is the default file manager and graphical user interface shell used on all [[Macintosh]] operating systems. It is responsible for the overall user-management of files, disks, and network volumes, and is the first application a user interacts with after logging into the system. Finder is an integral part of the [[macOS]] operating system, developed by [[Apple Inc.]].
-== History ==
+{{Infobox software
-Finder was first introduced with the original [[Macintosh 128K]] in 1984. It has undergone numerous revisions and redesigns over the years, evolving alongside the Macintosh operating system. The original Finder was a standalone application, but with the release of [[Mac OS X]] in 2001, it became a core component of the operating system.
+| name = Finder
+| logo = <!-- Logo image file name -->
+| screenshot = <!-- Screenshot image file name -->
+| caption = Finder software interface
+| developer = [[Apple Inc.]]
+| operating_system = [[macOS]]
+| genre = [[File manager]]
+| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
+}}
+'''Finder''' is the default [[file manager]] and [[graphical user interface]] shell used on all [[macOS]] operating systems. It is responsible for the overall user-management of files, disks, and network volumes, and is the first application that users interact with after logging into the system.
 == Features ==
-Finder provides a variety of features to help users manage their files and applications:
+Finder provides a variety of features to enhance the user experience on macOS:
-* '''Desktop''': The Finder manages the desktop, where users can place files, folders, and shortcuts.
+* '''[[File management]]''': Finder allows users to create, delete, move, and organize files and folders. It supports [[drag and drop]] functionality and provides a [[context menu]] for quick actions.
-* '''Windows and Views''': Finder windows can display files in several views, including icon view, list view, column view, and cover flow view.
+* '''[[Search functionality]]''': Integrated with [[Spotlight (software)|Spotlight]], Finder offers powerful search capabilities to locate files and folders quickly.
-* '''Sidebar''': The sidebar in Finder windows provides quick access to frequently used folders, devices, and tags.
+* '''[[View options]]''': Users can view files in different modes such as [[icon view]], [[list view]], [[column view]], and [[cover flow]].
-* '''Spotlight''': Integrated with [[Spotlight (software)|Spotlight]], Finder allows users to search for files and folders quickly.
+* '''[[Tags (metadata)|Tags]]''': Finder supports tagging of files and folders, allowing users to organize and find items based on custom tags.
-* '''Tags''': Users can tag files with different colors and labels for easier organization and retrieval.
+* '''[[Quick Look]]''': This feature allows users to preview files without opening them in a separate application.
-* '''Quick Look''': This feature allows users to preview the contents of a file without opening it in an application.
+* '''[[iCloud]] integration''': Finder integrates with iCloud, enabling users to access their files across multiple Apple devices.
-* '''iCloud Drive''': Finder integrates with [[iCloud Drive]], allowing users to store and access files across multiple Apple devices.
-== Interface ==
+== History ==
-The Finder interface has evolved significantly since its inception. The original Finder featured a simple, single-window interface. Modern versions of Finder, starting with [[macOS X Leopard]], introduced a more complex interface with multiple windows, tabs, and a customizable sidebar.
+Finder has been a core component of the [[Macintosh]] operating system since its inception in 1984. Over the years, it has evolved significantly, incorporating new features and design changes with each major release of macOS.
-== Customization ==
-Finder can be customized in several ways to suit user preferences:
-* '''Toolbar''': Users can add, remove, and rearrange toolbar items.
-* '''Sidebar''': The sidebar can be customized to include favorite folders, devices, and tags.
-* '''View Options''': Users can change the way files are displayed in Finder windows, including icon size, grid spacing, and sorting options.
-== Related Pages ==
+== See also ==
 * [[macOS]]
+* [[File manager]]
+* [[Graphical user interface]]
 * [[Apple Inc.]]
-* [[Spotlight (software)]]
-* [[iCloud Drive]]
-* [[Macintosh]]
-== See Also ==
+== References ==
-* [[File manager]]
+* [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201732 Apple Support: Finder]
-* [[Graphical user interface]]
+* [https://developer.apple.com/documentation/finder Apple Developer Documentation: Finder]
-* [[Desktop environment]]
 {{macOS}}
-{{Apple Inc.}}
+{{Apple software}}
-{{software-stub}}
+[[Category:macOS software]]
-[[Category:Macintosh software]]
 [[Category:File managers]]
 [[Category:Apple Inc. software]]
-[[Category:Graphical user interfaces]]
+[[Category:Proprietary software]]
+== Finder (software) gallery ==
+<gallery>
+File:FinderBigSur.png|Finder Big Sur
+</gallery>