How to open folder without using mouse in Mac?

Question

I'm recently switched to Mac from Windows. It was quite a pain but I am now adjusted to the Mac commands and shortcuts, except one. That is whenever I select a folder and press Return/Enter it executes the rename. While I was expecting it to open it?

Is there any way I can change the shortcut?

It's really strange :) – Ahmad Behzadi Aug 22 '20 at 17:10 — Ahmad Behzadi, Aug 22 '20 at 17:10

Doug Harris · Accepted Answer · 2022-04-06T19:43:25.277

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To open it, you can use either of these two keyboard shortcuts:

⌘+O (the standard shortcut for opening files)
⌘+↓

edited Apr 06 '22 at 19:43

answered Apr 26 '10 at 17:16

Doug Harris

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is there a way to change the shortcut key ? – Prashant Cholachagudda Apr 26 '10 at 17:27
System Preferences app -> Keyboard, choose "keyboard shortcuts" tab. Click the + sign to add a custom shortcut. You can specify that it's only for Finder.... but you can't assign enter as the shortcut. – Doug Harris Apr 26 '10 at 19:00
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Thanks Doug, I found one moer shortcut :) command + down arrow – Prashant Cholachagudda Apr 26 '10 at 21:19
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Also, ⌘↑ will open the enclosing folder, like Backspace on Windows. Holding down the ⌥ (Option) key will also close the current window. – Kevin Reid Oct 28 '10 at 21:16
Well I use "Command + Down Arrow" for opening a folder, and "Command + \" for going back. I did this by adding a custom shortcut in Applications Shortcut -> For Finder and added "Enclosing Folder" -> "Command + \ " – Pranzell Jun 13 '20 at 09:54
update as of Jan 2021: ⌘ ↓ – izy Jan 10 '21 at 05:48
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@izy Can you be more specific – are you referring to MacOS 11 (aka Big Sur)? – Doug Harris Jan 11 '21 at 20:24
@DougHarris yes the current version, which is Big Sur – izy Jan 12 '21 at 22:15

score 53 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 12 '13 at 13:56

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I use Command plus the ↑ or ↓ arrow keys.

edited Apr 12 '13 at 13:56

slhck

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answered Apr 12 '13 at 13:51

Pankaj

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I find this way better than the accepted answer. – Meryovi Jun 06 '13 at 23:05
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It seems this is more expected behavior. – wonsuc Feb 13 '19 at 01:50

score 12 · Answer 3 · edited Jan 13 '21 at 03:40

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As well, you can also use Command+Shift+G while Finder is active and type the path of the folder you want to open in the box that appears. ie:

~/Pictures

will open your Pictures folder.

edited Jan 13 '21 at 03:40

Gediminas Jeremiah Gudelis

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answered Apr 12 '13 at 14:45

Nevin Williams

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This works great in combination with Finderpath. – dorien Jan 17 '17 at 02:51
and tab-completion works in the dialog for choosing the path. It's a great combination. – Doug Harris Feb 06 '18 at 14:41

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Jan 09 '21 at 19:58

Same situation. But I eased my pain by switching to the "View as Columns" view (Command+3) and navigate to any needed place just using all the arrow keys.

If needed I can again quickly switch to my previous view with Command+1/2/3 or 4 shortcuts.

This is better (in my case) than staying in "Icons view" and navigating with arrows Up and Down.

score 0 · Answer 5 · edited Jan 13 '21 at 03:40

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Updated combination: ⌘+ ↓

and as mentioned previously: ⌘+ o

edited Jan 13 '21 at 03:40

Gediminas Jeremiah Gudelis

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answered Jan 10 '21 at 05:50

izy

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Welcome to Super User! Please don't try to answer old questions as your first posts, also please expand your answer to fully explain what it does. – Ξένη Γήινος Jan 10 '21 at 06:50
OS version: Big Sur – izy Jan 12 '21 at 22:17

How to open folder without using mouse in Mac?

5 Answers5