Always open in "column view"

I would like the finder to always open in column view, but whenever I make a search using spotlight, it opens in icon view and column view is greyed out in the
finder>view menu

I believe column view is not an available feature in Search function; possibly because it already shows you the individual files (rather than folders with their contents opening in another column). I prefer column view myself, but have never been able to set it in the search function.

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Always open in column view doesn't work

Hello,
Every time I click on my hard disk, the window opens in icon view. So I open the view options, and I click on "Always open in column view".
But every time I reboot, it comes right back to icon view!
What a pain!
Thanks,
Chris.

The information about how a window displays is stored in the invisible .DS_Store file. You can use the Terminal to remove it and hope the new one works correctly when you set the window to way you like. Also, when you set it as you want, have you gone to the View menu, selected "Show View Options" and checked the Always Open box at the top? If you haven't done that, it is likely reverting to some other state (the necessity for doing this is new in Leopard--and I for one don't like it). Or just hit Command-3 to quickly flip into Column view.
Francine
Francine
Schwieder

"Always open in column view" does not hold

"Always open in column view" does not hold the preference when applied to my hard drive.
I select Macintosh HD and choose the column view. I go to View > Open View Options and check "Always open in column view". Then if I click on a different folder and go back to Macintosh HD, column view is retained... that is until I restart the computer.
After a restart, when I click on Macintosh HD I am back to icon view. Again I go to View > Open View Options, and somehow the preference has changed to "Always open in icon view". If I switch back to column view, the preference is retained again until I restart, then it's back to icon view.
Other folder and external drives open in column view after a restart, it is just Macintosh HD that always reverts to icon view.
Sent a bug report to Apple, but any ideas how to fix this?
Message was edited by: Bazzography

V.K. wrote:
install ONYX and use it to delete all .DS_Store files on your drive. every folder has one and they store the folder view settings. you seem to have some corrupt ones. also reset your finder preferences. delete the file homedirectory/library/preferences/com.apple.finder.plist. then control-option-click on finder in the dock and choose "relaunch".
try setting default views after that.
Did both suggestions and it appears to be working as expected now. Many thanks for the quick (and very useful) reply VK!

Finder: "Always open in column view"

Hi all, please, what is purpose of the check box "Always open in ... view" in Finder's folder view settings? When I uncheck it, to avoid the item in the Favorites list to open with the last used type of view, it always gets checked back. Is that expected or is that a bug?

I believe column view is not an available feature in Search function; possibly because it already shows you the individual files (rather than folders with their contents opening in another column). I prefer column view myself, but have never been able to set it in the search function.

"always open in icon view" is ALWAYS on.I've

I've just reinstalled leopard on my imac as i felt it had built up with rubbish and was slowing things down, anyway.....
When i now open my Macintosh HD, it always appears in icon view. I click show view options, deselect "always open in icon view" which then changes to "always open in column view"(which is what i want) and close the view options. Then once i restart my mac, its changed back to open in icon view.
Now, i've researched the fact and i see that people have had the same trouble but all the things they suggest don't work for me.
I've trashed DS_Store files, finder preferences, and its still not working for me.
its just annoying to have to keep changing the view i want ALL the time. Its not exactly asking for the world, and it does as it should on my macbook, so i know its possible, i just want it to work on my imac!
Does anyone have any ideas of what to try?

Welcome to the Most...Annoying...Finder...Bug...Ever. Trashing .DS_Store files doesn't fix this because the Leopard Finder doesn't rely on these files any more for the view style. For the technically-minded, here is a breakdown of the binary format of the .DS_Store file.
Where this bug gets really annoying is if you have multiple folders inside a higher level folder and you open the top-most folder in a certain view style, every folder below that one that you open will open in the same view as the top-most folder AND if you then close that folder and open...say the Macintosh HD icon, it switches that to the view of the folder that you just closed -seemingly at random!
Then there's this little gem -see if you have this one. Create a folder on your desktop. Create some folders inside the one you just created -they can be empty for this excercise. Now open one of them and leave it open. Now, go back the top level folder and delete, 'Opt-Delete', the folder that you just opened. The folder will be moved to the Trash and...wait for it...the window of the folder that you just moved to the Trash now displays the contents of the window that it was deleted from! That's right. Two folders open at the same time displaying the same contents. That's not supposed to happen.
Then there's the bit where the files on the desktop refuse to be placed in a different location from the one where they were originally created or they arrange themselves on the right hand side of the Desktop in name order. If you move them and reboot or logout and login again, the files are right back where the were first created. It is even stranger in that if you delete a file or folder from the Desktop then reboot or logout and login again, then recreate the file in a different location on the Desktop, but with the exact same name, on the next reboot or logout and login, the file is right back where the original one was deleted from. Very strange.
Somewhere I read a post that said if you turned on the invisible files setting for the Finder and then turned it off again that the problem disappeared. I tried that with no positive results. So the mystery continues.

View always opens in Icon view, not Column view

Hello,
I open Finder and it always opens in Icon view. I set it to open to Column and close Finder. When I reopen Finder, it opens in Icon again. I've tried trashing the Finder plist, repaired permissions, but nothing. Is there anything I can do to keep it opening the same way? It's pretty frustrating.
Thanks.

Hi Danielmak,
This Terminal command is not specifically related to Column View I'm afraid...
I don't fully understand what it does, but what I can tell you is that the script - for me & a few others - got rid of the common problem where the Finder-window only for the Macintosh HD (i.e. double-clicking on the Mac HD icon) always re-set back to Icon-View after a re-start, despite changing the window to List View and un-checking 'Always Open in Icon View' in View Options (Cmd+J).
I'm not sure I fully understand your problem, but..... You can have separate Finder-windows in different view-types (icon/list/column etc), BUT, the view-type does not automatically change between different types as you drill down into the folders in that particular window.
If you want a particular view-type & window-size to stick for each drive or folder on the desktop, you have to make your changes at the first level, then close the window... When you double-click again on that same drive, the view-type (don't forget to un-check the 'Always open in icon view' in View Options) & window position should be the same. If you drill down into the folders in that hard drive, & THEN make changes to view-type & window size, they will not stick (i.e. the next time you double-click on the HD icon, it will re-open in the originally-set position & view-type.)
Hope that helps. Apologies if I've misunderstood the question.
All the best,
Jason

Homefolder always opens in List-view

In Finder I had selected: Open a new window should open the Homefolder.
Configured the Homefolder (with cmd + J) to Symbol-view with big Icons and other Details.
But ever I open it new with command + N it is in List view…
If I open it from Mc HD / User / Homefolder the view is correct.
Could it be, that this happens, because I selected in the Settings you can reach with cmd + J the List-view as default?
If so, how to cancel this default?

Hi Danielmak,
This Terminal command is not specifically related to Column View I'm afraid...
I don't fully understand what it does, but what I can tell you is that the script - for me & a few others - got rid of the common problem where the Finder-window only for the Macintosh HD (i.e. double-clicking on the Mac HD icon) always re-set back to Icon-View after a re-start, despite changing the window to List View and un-checking 'Always Open in Icon View' in View Options (Cmd+J).
I'm not sure I fully understand your problem, but..... You can have separate Finder-windows in different view-types (icon/list/column etc), BUT, the view-type does not automatically change between different types as you drill down into the folders in that particular window.
If you want a particular view-type & window-size to stick for each drive or folder on the desktop, you have to make your changes at the first level, then close the window... When you double-click again on that same drive, the view-type (don't forget to un-check the 'Always open in icon view' in View Options) & window position should be the same. If you drill down into the folders in that hard drive, & THEN make changes to view-type & window size, they will not stick (i.e. the next time you double-click on the HD icon, it will re-open in the originally-set position & view-type.)
Hope that helps. Apologies if I've misunderstood the question.
All the best,
Jason

I can't get "Always open in list view" to stick.

No matter how many times I click "Always open in list view" for the folder, it continues to open up in icon view. Help please.
I used to think that I had this problem because I was working mainly off an external drive. But, this folder is on my internal drive. Only thing that I think might affect it is that I am using Dropbox and this is one of the folders that is synced using that service.

Is there a Dock Icon that was created for your Printer? If so, open it and look at the list to be printed and delete the extras.
If not, you did not get that far, so no 15 copies for you!

IDisk - how to always open in LIST VIEW?

I can't seem to find a way to always open in list view for my iDisk folder, the only option is to always open in icon view. Should I be looking somewhere other than view options?

Hi Meherally. Thanks for the tip, but my problem isn't related to the process for setting default viewing options. Perhaps some clarification will help.
"Next, select 'view options' from 'view' menu. As you say, the window will have "always show in icon view" but note if the box next to is checked or unchecked. If checked, uncheck it."
This box is always unchecked. The problem is that when I change views in the finder window (from icon, to list or coverflow, or whatever, the "view options"menu always says "always open in icon view". It does not change according to whatever view I am using. this only happens in iDisk. All other folders and disks open just the way I have set them.
In my office I have an iMac G5 running Leopard that works perfectly (in other words, I can set my iDisk view default to always open in whatever view I please), but my new MacBook Pro running Snow Leopard appears to have a bug that prevents this option with iDisk only. The checkbox always says "Always open in icon view" no matter what view I switch to in the finder window. As mentioned above, the iDisk is the only problem. It always opens in icon view and the checkbox does not change with the current window view. All other folders and disks on the MacBook open jsut the way I want. But I'm getting irritated with iDiks always opening in icon view.
Thanks!
I've not come across anyone else reporting this problem on any other forum.

Making finder open in column view?

I really like the OS X Finder's "Column View". Unfortunately, Finder windows always seem to open in icon view, even though I've checked the "Open New Windows in Column View" option in Finder preferences. Any idea why this option might not be working (on a brand-new installation with the latest software update installed)?

Hi, Mike, this below is from the Helpviewer: Click screen bring up finder go to Help on Menu Bar , Helpviewer> Click Index "Mac Help Index" click 'f" all about Finder.
"To always use column view when you open a Finder window, choose Finder > Preferences and click General. Select "Open new windows in column view."
If you choose icon or list view, the Finder saves your view settings. The next time you open the window you will see the same view settings you chose previously.
You can also customize the items that appear in the toolbar of Finder windows, or you can change the overall look of windows."
Hope this helps.
~Eme

Finder always opens in icon view...

...despite my having set column view in preferences. Can this be fixed?

Cheapster - this sounds very similar, if not identical, to the problem I was having until recently. Having got loads of advice (none of which worked) I gave up. Then one day I was doing some routine maintenance using Onynx and ever since then it's opened up in list view like I'd been trying to get it to do. Not sure what exactly fixed it but I suggest you run all of the cleaning scripts (except for cookies unless you want to lose these as well.
You can find Onynx here: www.titanium.free.fr
Then set the Finder view to the way you want it and see if it now stays that way.
Hope this helps

Opening windows in column view by default

Hello all,
I just got a new iMac 24” aluminum a few days ago and have set up all of my apps, defaults etc. I want my windows to always open in column view and have used View Options to set it that way. Each day when I start up though, the windows revert back to Icon View and I have to reset them again. On my old machine I had them opening in column view by default and they always did so. And I remember that there used to be a button at the bottom of the View Options window that, when clicked would keep whatever you set your options to as a default for all windows. That button no longer exists. Possibly somewhere in one of the updates along the way it’s been removed. Anyway, I want to set my windows to always open in column view by default and can find no way to do that anymore. Does anyone know how?
BTW, the new alu 24" is GREAT!!
Rick

Then there's something wrong with you OS installation. Not really sure if there's an easy fix other than an Archive and Install. But you can try a few things first.
1. Repair the hard drive and permissions:
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger and Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger, and 4.1 for Leopard) and/or TechTool Pro (4.6.1 for Leopard) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Delete the /Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist file.
3. Create a new user account and log into that account. Does the problem cease?
4. Boot into safe mode. Does the problem go away?
5. Use a utility such as TinkerTool System and clean system and user caches.
If none of these have any effect then an Archive and Install may be necessary:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

How to make 'always open in ... view' check box actually work?

What I need is a "Make 'Always open in ... view' check box work" check box.
Specifically:
I double click on my hard drive icon to open its window. I press command 3 to make it display in column view. I press command J and check "Always open in column view" and check the further check box, "Browse in column view". Then later on having viewed various windows I double click on the hard drive icon and it opens in some other view than column view. So, how to make the check box do what it actually says it will do?
Thanks.
edit: In fact in Panther, and probably other older OS X's, all folders would generally remember (I think) how it was last viewed and use that again. How to make that happen? Thanks.

Hi,
For Question #1,
refer this link.
Hope it helps!
Thanks,
Avni Bhatt
If this helped you resolve your issue, please mark it Answered

Finder still retains "only in column view" setting from Tiger...

I know they removed this preference completely in Leopard, but every time I open a new Finder window, it is always in column view. That's because I had used that option in Tiger (Always open in column view". Now since that preference is removed it's basically stuck always opening it in column view no matter what I do to change it. Any suggestions?

thank god i'm not alone.
Leopard is loaded with bugs, a very big disappointment.
i noticed the same problems you're experiencing.
in addition, the 'Secure Empty Trash' feature hangs the system when deleting large files, causing a forced shutdown.
after restarting, the 'Secure Empty Trash' feature will sometimes complete the deletion process without hanging.
there's plenty more to talk about, and i hope apple gets on top of these issues asap

Finder window opens with inconsistent view

Since I upgraded to Yosemite, Finder windows open with inconsistent size, position and view. After a power on a Finder window generally opens as a small, centrally-located window in Icon view even though preferences is set to always open in column view; sometimes the small window is in column view. Rarely, the first new window opens in the same size, position and view as the last one was before power off then the next one - opened using Command-N - opens as a small, central window in Icon view. In all previous versions of Mac OS, new Finder windows opened in the same size, position and view as the window I closed last on screen, even after a power off/on. Once I reset the window size, position and view to my preference, new windows generally open correctly.
Is there some setting I can change so new windows always retain the size, position and view as the last one closed?

Do a backup.
Go to Finder and select your user/home folder. With that Finder window as the front window, either select Finder/View/Show View options or go command - J. When the View options opens, check ’Show Library Folder’. That should make your user library folder visible in your user/home folder. Select Library. Then go to Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist. Move the .plist to your desktop.
Re-launch Finder by restarting the computer and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.
If the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer one.
Thanks to leonie for some information contained in this.

Always open in "column view"

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