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Permanently make Finder columns as wide as longest filename

My filenames are often longer than the default column width. Although I have long known how to adjust it. The next time I open a new Finder window - it is back to the same standard short width. I want to permanently change it. How to do this?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 5, 2021 8:48 AM

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Posted on Jan 5, 2021 8:52 AM

I found the solution in a prior Apple Communities post from Gus the Pip. There are many incorrect "solutions" out there but this one actually worked :-) Gus explains:

"Double-clicking on the "handle" at the right of a column will quickly resize the column to fit the widest file name. We all know this. The knowledge you're missing is that holding Option while dragging a column width sets that custom width for every future Finder window. "

[The original thread is closed so I have provided the info here as I found it so useful. I hope it helps you too.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 5, 2021 8:52 AM in response to SusanDSC

I found the solution in a prior Apple Communities post from Gus the Pip. There are many incorrect "solutions" out there but this one actually worked :-) Gus explains:

"Double-clicking on the "handle" at the right of a column will quickly resize the column to fit the widest file name. We all know this. The knowledge you're missing is that holding Option while dragging a column width sets that custom width for every future Finder window. "

[The original thread is closed so I have provided the info here as I found it so useful. I hope it helps you too.

Permanently make Finder columns as wide as longest filename

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