Keep Finder windows and the tab bar under control

Choose whether another location needs its own window

A second Finder window is useful for comparing two locations or keeping a destination visible. A tab bar is an interface for managing locations within a window. Before adding more browsing surfaces, decide which locations you need to keep in view and which can be revisited through navigation.

Check the front window before closing

Command-W acts on the active context. In a tabbed application, the command’s exact label can depend on the current window and tab state. Read the File menu when that distinction matters rather than assuming that every close operation quits Finder or closes every location you have open.

Return to a simple starting state

Practise with two nonessential browsing windows, toggle the tab bar and then close only the extra browsing surface. Confirm that your files and other Finder window remain. This makes window management a reversible organisational step instead of a fast way to lose track of where you were browsing.

Documented commands for this workflow

Scroll the table sideways to see every column.

Keep going

• Show Finder’s path, sidebar and status information
• Switch Mac apps without losing the window you need