Enter to open a file in Finder

Question

I find the Cmd + O shortcut to open a file in Finder unintuitive. Does anyone know how to change it? I'd like to set it so that enter opens a file instead of going into rename mode.

Solution 1

I'm not sure that's possible or recommended given that it is a basic function of the Finder. Keep in mind that Cmd-Down also opens the file if that is any more intuitive.

Solution 2

Use KeyRemap4MacBook (despite the name, it works on all Macs). In the Change Key section, navigate to For Applications, then Enable at only Finder, then check Return Key Opens a file.

Note: This is a free app that basically does the same as the commercial apps mentioned in Daniel's answer. It has the same limitations regarding pressing Return in other contexts inside Finder.

Solution 3

This behavior is not just intended by Apple, it's forced.

I was trying myself to circumvent it by redefining the shortcut in System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Application Shortcuts (which is a goldmine, you can use it to assign pretty much anything that exists in a regular or context menu in any program to whatever you want (such as F10 to create a folder in Finder, F5 for refreshing pages, etc. This is unique to OS X AFAIK, and it's bloody awesome!).

As it turns out, you cannot assign the enter key alone to any action. And even if you assign something close, like Option+Enter, Finder will just ignore it. If you look in the drop-down, the Cmd+O shortcut is no longer listed there, and neither is Opt+Enter, it's just blank!

Hacks that used to work to get Finder to do things Apple don't think it's supposed to, are blocked with updates, like this hack to get folders listed before files, which was blocked with Lion: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1411019

I've previously used PathFinder as I find the native Finder app to be extremely bad, but it's a paid app, and it doesn't integrate very nicely with the system IMO (running side-by-side with the native Finder, destroying the gesture for revealing the desktop so that it's just a blank wallpaper, etc.).

I've just come across XtraFinder ( http://www.trankynam.com/xtrafinder/ ), which is a free plugin for Finder. It's not as feature-filled as PathFinder or Total Finder, but as it's not an app but a plugin, it's much leaner and non-intrusive. It adds tabs, enter-to-open (with your choice of shortcut for renaming, e.g. F2), ordering folders before files, and much more.

It also adds the possibility to refresh the Finder view (which is a more than welcome addition if you've ever tried browsing a network share where a file just appear, yet there's no way to refresh Finder, so it doesn't pick it up until you restart the system (seriously!))

I think it's pretty cool, and it'll sort you out with regards to your problem :)

Solution 4

I am a new Mac user (switched from Windows) and I found Command+↓ to be extremely unintuitive to open a file (Why would it be anything except Enter/Return?).

I Use BetterTouchTool to manage my keyboard shortcuts and set it to trigger the Command+↓ shortcut when I press Enter in Finder. That did it for me (you have to note that by doing this, you cannot use Enter for anything else in Finder, which is fine by me).

Solution 5

You can use XtraFinder (free, Mac OS X 10.6.8 to 10.10):

View more solutions

Comments

[Paulo]

Could the person that down-voted this please do the courtesy of explaining why? Sometimes an answer to a question is indeed 'no'. It's a valid answer. Keyboard preferences doesn't let you override "enter" so I was offering an alternative.

[HikeMike]

While a sane person wouldn't do what I suggest in my answer, Enter can be used as a shortcut. It "just" requires manual editing of plist files in ~/Library/Preferences.

[Admin]

@Bobby Why did you remove the ReturnOpen reference? While "google it" isn't that useful, you could have inserted a direct link to it.

[HikeMike]

Surprisingly, I set Enter for the Zoom window menu item and forgot all about it. At least Safari works beautifully with it -- entering URLs still works.

[Admin]

@Daniel Beck: True, mea culpa.

[Admin]

ReturnOpen no longer works for Mac OS X 10.6. I suspect it's just an application automating what I described as not (no longer) working in my answer.

[RaamEE]

Also good to know: Cmd+Right Arrow: to expand collapsed folder in Finder | Cmd+Left Arrow: to collapse expanded folder in Finder | Cmd+Up Arrow: Go to the parent folder of the current file\folder

[Russell Davis]

This answer deserves more upvotes. There's a free third party app, KeyRemap4MacBook, that will do this as well (see my answer for more details).

[Arjan]

the way the system is set up actions need a modifier key — but then why would Return without any modifier trigger file renaming?

[Arjan]

Nice. (Though I wouldn't use it as I like all computers I use to work the same, and like to be able to work with any Mac.)

[Josh K]

@Arjan: No idea.

[HikeMike]

Does it work properly, i.e. without the problems I mention in the first part of my answer?

[Russell Davis]

@Daniel, it has the same limitations as you mention -- in fact, the UI warns "use F2 to rename but caution not to use Return when done typing or file opens".

[Arjan]

So, I mean: then the system is not set up in a way that actions need a modifier key? Sorry for bugging you with such an old post ;-) Ah, or maybe you're referring to the System Preferences for keyboard, when mentioning "actions"?

[Registered User]

I was searching for something like this and came across this thread. Big tanks to Paulo. I was starting to get uncomfortable with constantly having to double click files that I want to open as opposed to the Enter key on Windows.

[Hei Wa]

that software rocks - so useful for running windows VM scenarios.

[YemSalat]

Both Cmd+Down and Cmd+O are extremely uncomfortable to use compared to pressing the 'Enter' key when navigating files with keyboard.

[user45909]

Thanks for mentioning XtraFinder. It makes the 'Enter' and 'Backspace' keys work as you expect.

[David Richerby]

The linked page isn't working for me right now, which is a perfect example of why link-only answers are discouraged. Please add more information to your answer so the answer itself is useful, even if the link breaks or the site it points to is down.

[sean2078]

Downvoting because it's not only possible to change the behavior, but also that I do recommend changing it - See @Russell Davis' solution as just one example - TY for attempted answer however

[Bajal]

For anyone coming in via google search, this software is called Karabiner now, and rocks.

[Epskampie]

This is called "Karabiner Elements" now, go to "complex modifications" > "add rule" > "import from internet" > search for "finder".

[PatrickT]

with Sierra's latest update (Higher Sierra or something), XtraFinder is completely broken. What a shame it was a wonderful app.

[PatrickT]

Sadly not working anymore after Sierra's latest update...

[PatrickT]

"We made new Karabiner as Karabiner-Elements-11.0.0 from scratch due to kernel architecture changes in macOS Sierra." Way to go!

[SMBiggs]

I've been using Path Finder for years. But they are experiencing many very bad bugs with High Sierra. It's getting to the point that I may have to switch from using what had been an excellent product. (It's possible that Apple may have made changes intentionally to cause Path Finder problems--wouldn't put it past 'em.)

[DanielSmedegaardBuus]

XtraFinder has been revived, and is now available all the way up to the current Mojave. It does come with less functionality than the old version, but still great!

[Eric]

@Epskampie You should make it an answer.