Change how folders open in the Finder on Mac
When you open a folder in the Finder, the folder’s contents usually replace the current contents of the window. If you prefer, you can open a folder in a new tab or window.
Set how all folders open
On your Mac, choose Apple menu
in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)Go to Windows on the right, click the pop-up menu next to “Prefer tabs when opening documents”, then choose an option:
Never: Open folders in a new window, not a tab.
Always: Open folders in a new tab.
In Full Screen: Open folders in a tab only when you’re working in full screen.
Open a single folder
In the Finder
on your Mac, press the Command key while you double-click the folder.The folder opens in a new tab or window, depending on your Finder settings. Choose Finder > Settings, then click General. Select “Open folders in tabs instead of new windows” to have folders open in tabs; deselect it to have folders open in windows.
Tip: If the Finder toolbar and sidebar are hidden, double-clicking a folder without pressing the Command key opens the folder in a new window.
To open a new Finder window without opening a specific folder, click in the Dock, then choose File > New Finder Window or press Command-N.
Work with tabs
In the Finder on your Mac, do one of the following:
If all of your tabs aren’t visible, scroll through them.
When two or more tabs are open, click
to open a new tab.To close a tab, place the pointer over the tab, then click
.