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If Finder hangs or fails to show a recent change, you can relaunch it without restarting your Mac. The quickest, most reliable option is Apple’s Force Quit window: press Option-Command-Esc, select Finder, then click Relaunch.
1. Relaunch Finder from Force Quit
This is the best choice when Finder is frozen or not responding. Finder is designed to stay open, so the Force Quit window provides a specific Relaunch action. Apple’s instructions are to select Finder in that window and click Relaunch. Apple Support: How to force an app to quit on Mac.
- Press Option-Command-Esc to open the Force Quit window. You can also open it from the Apple menu.
- Select Finder in the list.
- Click Relaunch and confirm if prompted.
Finder should close and reopen. If it remains unresponsive, move to the other options below.
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2. Relaunch Finder from the Dock
Use this shortcut if the Dock is accessible. Hold Option, then Control-click or right-click the Finder icon in the Dock and choose Relaunch. Macworld describes this Option-modified Dock menu shortcut; Apple’s Dock guide explains Dock shortcut menus generally but does not document this exact Finder command. Macworld: How to relaunch the Finder in OS X.
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- Locate the Finder icon in the Dock.
- Hold Option while Control-clicking or right-clicking the icon.
- Choose Relaunch.
If the Relaunch command does not appear, use Force Quit instead.
3. Quit Finder in Activity Monitor
Activity Monitor can stop a selected process, but Apple’s instructions describe process management generally and do not say that quitting Finder there automatically reopens it. If Finder does not return, use Force Quit’s Finder-specific Relaunch command or restart your Mac.
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- Open Activity Monitor.
- Select Finder in the process list.
- Click the Stop button, then choose Quit or Force Quit.
Apple says Quit lets a process stop when safe, while Force Quit stops it immediately. Force quitting can cause data loss from open files or interfere with other apps or processes. Use Quit when it is available and appropriate. See Apple’s Activity Monitor instructions.
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Which method should you choose?
| Method | Best when | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Force Quit | Finder is frozen or not responding | Apple documents a direct Finder Relaunch action. |
| Dock menu | You can access the Dock | Hold Option while opening Finder’s Dock menu; the shortcut is described by Macworld. |
| Activity Monitor | You want to stop Finder from the process list | Quit is safer than Force Quit when possible; automatic relaunch is not established by Apple’s instructions. |
If Finder still will not relaunch
If you cannot force Finder to quit or get it to reopen through the normal controls, choose Restart from the Apple menu. Apple recommends restarting the Mac if an app cannot be force quit. Save work in other apps first when possible.
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- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your Mac.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
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