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The redesign seems to only have the magnifying glass for search, no longer is the search window open on finder windows. So it's an extra step to click that icon before I can type in my search. Is there a way to keep the search window open, rather than having to do this unnecessary extra step? Why the change for more work?
Howdy,
The Finder Toolbar expands and contracts as there is room to show icons and fields.
If there is enough room to show the expanded Search Field, it will. If there is not enough room, the Search Field will shrink down to the Magnifying Glass button.
If you have enough screen space, you can make your Finder window wider to accommodate a full search field, or you can eliminate buttons you don't need or use very often to make more room for search.
You can remove buttons by holding the Command key and dragging them off the Toolbar, or View > Customize Toolbar…
Note many commands have keyboard versions so you might not need them in the Toolbar, like New Folder = Command Shift N and View Modes are Command 1 (as Icons), Command 2 (as list), Command 3 (as Column) and Command 4 (as Gallery). Explore the keyboard commands and see which you can leave off the Toolbar.
Also you can Show the Toolbar Buttons by Icon Only which will tighten them up and give more room for Search. For example "Quick Look" takes up more space than just the icon. Also remove any Space or Flexible Space that may be there.
BTW, I'm not seeing a way to lock it open all the time like with Catalina. With Catalina, if the window was too narrow the Search Field just went away totally with the "»" icon. At least with Big Sur, it tries to keep a search icon visible for longer with the Search Button.
ivan
Howdy,
The Finder Toolbar expands and contracts as there is room to show icons and fields.
If there is enough room to show the expanded Search Field, it will. If there is not enough room, the Search Field will shrink down to the Magnifying Glass button.
If you have enough screen space, you can make your Finder window wider to accommodate a full search field, or you can eliminate buttons you don't need or use very often to make more room for search.
You can remove buttons by holding the Command key and dragging them off the Toolbar, or View > Customize Toolbar…
Note many commands have keyboard versions so you might not need them in the Toolbar, like New Folder = Command Shift N and View Modes are Command 1 (as Icons), Command 2 (as list), Command 3 (as Column) and Command 4 (as Gallery). Explore the keyboard commands and see which you can leave off the Toolbar.
Also you can Show the Toolbar Buttons by Icon Only which will tighten them up and give more room for Search. For example "Quick Look" takes up more space than just the icon. Also remove any Space or Flexible Space that may be there.
BTW, I'm not seeing a way to lock it open all the time like with Catalina. With Catalina, if the window was too narrow the Search Field just went away totally with the "»" icon. At least with Big Sur, it tries to keep a search icon visible for longer with the Search Button.
ivan
Open the Finder window and press ⌘+F while in it. The expanded search area appears. Afterward, press esc twice to return to the normal Finder window view.
Big Sur Search box missing
