Is there a keyboard shortcut to bring up Finder?

macos keyboard

It's actually easy. On Yosemite, just press option ⌥+command ⌘+spacebar. That will open a new Smart Finder window. You then can navigate from there. It works on a system level no matter what application you're running.

No need for scripts or complicated setups.

Turn this option on in System Preferences > keyboard > shortcuts > spotlight > "show finder search window" in recent versions. This can be mapped to other keys too, but it can cause conflicts in other apps that might be using your desired shortcut.

  1. Open Automator and choose the service template.
  2. Change the input type from selected text to no input.
  3. Add a Launch Application action and drop Finder on the pop-up button from /System/Library/CoreServices/. (The dialog for choosing an application does not allow selecting Finder.)
  4. Save the service and give it a shortcut in System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Services.

The service only opens a new window if there is no existing Finder window. To open a new window every time, add a Get Specified Finder Items action, drop the folder you want to open on the list, and then add a Reveal Finder Items action.

Automator is included in OS X: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14303 (Mavericks), http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11360 (Mountain Lion), etc.

Background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automator_(software)

Further reading if you're interested in doing more with Automator: http://www.macosxautomation.com/automator/

Actually I find it easy to bring up the finder with COMMAND-TAB. Cycle thru the open applications till you have selected Finder.

If any windows are already open but hidden they pop to the front if none are open a simple COMMAND-N opens a new window.

Not exactly a simple WINDOWS-E but it does work.

By default, no, there's no keyboard shortcut to activate Finder.

Keyboard Maestro can do this though:

When ⇧⌘F, activate Finder

You can always use this trick to open Finder..

alt + command + <space>

This is actually a shortcut to search for files IN FINDER MODE, In other words it opens Finder directly without needing to install any tools.

You can add your favorite directory onto the sidebar (Finder > System Preferences > Sidebar) and access it easily.

If you have the Powerpack for Alfred 2, you can create a workflow like this:

Hotkeys have a short delay by default, but you can reduce it by changing the trigger behavior:

Another option is to use a private.xml like this with KeyRemap4MacBook:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<root>
  <vkopenurldef>
    <name>KeyCode::VK_OPEN_URL_FINDER</name>
    <url>file:///System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app</url>
  </vkopenurldef>
  <item>
    <name>shortcuts</name>
    <identifier>shortcuts</identifier>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::F12, ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_OPEN_URL_FINDER</autogen>
  </item>
</root>

If you want to open Finder with your home folder then open Spotlight, type ~ (tilda) or your user name, and then press Enter.

If you want to open Finder with a specific file or folder:

  1. Press ⌘+Space to show Spotlight and start typing the name of the file/folder you want.
  2. Use the Up and Down to highlight the file or folder, and then press ⌘+R — you'll get a Finder window with the given folder or file.

Hint: While an item is selected in Spotlight you can press ⌘ to have the path displayed in the status line.

Hint: To configure what Spotlight should search type ⌘+, (Command+comma) while the Spotlight search bar is open.

If you use TotalFinder there is a nice 'visor' feature which causes a Finder window to slide up from the bottom of the screen. The sliding in or out can be linked to a hot key combo (double press option works well for me) and then it is always easy to do a bit if quick Finder manipulation.

I also had this question too and was hoping that one of these solutions that didn't require 3rd party software I would be happy with but unfortunately the OPTION + CMD + SPACE doesn't cut it for me because it opens a blank Finder window every time. And I couldn't figure out the instructions to get an Automator script to launch Finder.

I even tried using an Apple script action in Automator but they just didn't work the way I wanted.

However I did find a SUPER simple app on the Mac App store that behaves exactly the way I wanted so I thought I would share. NOTE: you do need to create a manual shortcut for Finder as this app doesn't count Finder as the first app in your dock. But the thing I like most is a second press of the shortcut will hide the app too. Simple and beautiful.

Snap. https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/snap/id418073146?mt=12

(And lolz at the person who wrote a 1 star review about clicking their fingers hoping this app would do something. trolololol!)

There is a few native keyboard shortcuts to open a new Finder window:

  • shift+⌘+C: Computer folder
  • shift+⌘+D: Desktop folder
  • shift+⌘+H: Home folder
  • shift+⌘+O: Documents folder
  • shift+⌘+A: Applications folder
  • shift+alt+L: Downloads folder

Note that the active app has priority over global shortcuts, so you might want to click on your desktop before trying those.