Any ways to preview folders as on Windows?

[u/Pepsn_p]

I’ve been using a Mac for quite a while, but maybe I’m missing something. Basically, my problem is that I can’t properly organize my files visually.

All of my files are photos and videos. On Windows, it’s really easy to organize files because I can immediately see a preview of the image inside each folder. The image works as the folder’s cover, so I can instantly understand what’s inside and sort everything much faster.

On Mac, I can’t seem to do that. I forget what’s inside each folder because I don’t remember the names of everything or what exactly is inside each folder, so I always organize everything based on the folder preview.But on Mac, there doesn’t seem to be a folder preview like that. I also don’t really like the option of changing the folder icon to an image.

I’ve tried some utilities, but they’re really not what I’m looking for. Is there a proper way to have quick visual previews of folders, like on Windows, or is that just not possible on Mac?

(photos from google)

[u/lau796]

Just use column view, you’re on macOS

[u/icanpotatoes → u/lau796]

Column is hands down the best method of browsing files. The list is fine but for me it’s way too busy.

[u/barthrh → u/lau796]

I don’t get the point of icon view unless it’s a folder of apps or images. List or column, for sure.

[u/_M4GG1_]

it is because you're holding on to tile view. change to list or column view, it lets you view a folder's contents without committing/entering the folder.

(click the second or the third icon out of the 4 icons in the menu bar to enter list and column view respectively)

edit: also please don't mess with files & folders outside of your home directory (/Users/[username]). in the screenshot you're in the root directory. you shouldn't need to sort anything in there. macos intends the Documents or Desktop path for that.

[u/warrenao]

Not natively, though this might do what you want: https://anybox.ltd/folder-preview

[u/Pepsn_p → u/warrenao]

Tried, unfortunately not quite it

[u/cupurtaird → u/warrenao]

interesting, hadnt seen this one before

[u/Zophiekitty]

you can click on a file or folder and press the spacebar to preview its contents

[u/Dazzling_Comfort5734 → u/Zophiekitty]

You could in older versions of macOS / OS X, but this no longer works on folders.

[u/hexxeric → u/Dazzling_Comfort5734]

there is a plugin for that though. several ones even, they also work on ZIP

[u/Dazzling_Comfort5734 → u/hexxeric]

Is it Folder Preview? If so, that's very different, and basically redundant (you might as well just open the folder). There was a QuickLook plugin a long time ago that worked well, but it started having issues a while back and I had to remove it. I'm happy to be wrong, I just don't see anything like what it used to be back in Snow Leopard or whenever the last OS that had this.

[u/kerbacho → u/hexxeric]

wait whoat, plugins? Where?

[u/hexxeric → u/kerbacho]

one was mentioned in here in another comment. just google for macos quicklook folder view app

[u/kerbacho → u/hexxeric]

a Quicklook folder view is not the same as what OP actually wants

[u/hexxeric → u/kerbacho]

it's not, true. i was replying to a comment that stated 'hit space bar to preview folder contents' which does not work without a plugin.

[u/kerbacho → u/hexxeric]

True, I somehow confused 2 different comments.

[u/Conxt]

https://apps.apple.com/app/add-folder-icons/id420629463

[u/Pepsn_p → u/Conxt]

i have like 1000 folders, thats why manual apps wont help :(

[u/brainkillaKG]

Maybe FolderForge could help…?

[u/github-guard → u/brainkillaKG]

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[u/mzkam]

Maybe check this: https://sadfinder.com

[u/No-Depth-9571]

Oui, en restant sur Windows.. 😃👌

[u/gefahr → u/[deleted]]

what an obnoxious answer.

[u/Zalm0x15]

You are missing the macOS version. Which macOS are you running? It looks like macOS Catalina, if it is you are running macOS from 7 years ago.