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This used to be possible, I remember that I replaced Finder with some other app many years ago. I strongly assume that this doesn't work any more, though.




Yeah. Path Finder was a common power user tool.

I recall you used to be able to flip some bit somewhere to allow you to Quit the Finder, but I assume that's disappeared inside the encrypted and signed partition where Apple keeps all the things us stupid users shouldn't be allowed to touch.

But even then, you'd want more than just that, as when you tell the OS to "Reveal" a file or open a folder, that's the association I'd want to be able to change.

Honestly I'd really prefer the Windows XP File Explorer to the pile of crap the Finder has turned into.


  > I recall you used to be able to flip some bit somewhere to allow you to Quit the Finder
you can still do this with a hidden preference using command line:

  defaults write com.apple.finder QuitMenuItem -bool true; killall Finder
[0] https://www.defaults-write.com/adding-quit-option-to-os-x-fi...

  > But even then, you'd want more than just that, as when you tell the OS to "Reveal" a file or open a folder, that's the association I'd want to be able to change.
yep, that should just be a normal setting like default browser (one thing i like about linux nowadays)

TinkerTool is a nice GUI app for this setting and a few others, see https://www.bresink.com/osx/TinkerTool.html

oh wow its been a long time; i forgot about that one, i'll have to download that again

Ah yes, thank you for reminding me - of course, it was Path Finder! You could even have it respond to "Reveal". Not sure any more if it was by renaming Path Finder to /Applications/Finder, or by changing its Bundle id to com.apple.finder, or some other trick.

"of course, it was Path Finder! You could even have it respond to 'Reveal'"

This still works. I have been using macs since 1985 and have always hated the Finder. In the days of classic Mac OS, my go to for file management was a desk accessory called DiskTop, which was great. Super fast and easy to operate from the keyboard.

When I switched to OSX, I needed something better than the Finder, chose Path Finder, and have been using it ever since. I have my complaints about it but have not been able to find anything I like better.




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