TotalFinder

TotalFinder transforms your macOS Finder experience, addressing many of the limitations of the default file manager. At its core, TotalFinder introduces tabbed browsing, similar to web browsers, allowing you to keep multiple folders open and easily switch between them without cluttering your desktop with numerous windows. This significantly streamlines navigation and organization, especially when working with files across different locations.

Beyond tabs, a key productivity feature is the dual panel support. This split-screen view displays two separate Finder windows side-by-side, making it incredibly efficient for tasks such as copying or moving files between directories. This eliminates the need for resizing and arranging individual windows, saving valuable time and effort.

TotalFinder also incorporates several other enhancements designed to improve your workflow:

• Cut & Paste functionality: Unlike the native Finder's copy and then delete workflow, TotalFinder brings proper cut and paste actions found in many other operating systems.
• Folders on Top: This option ensures that folders are always listed at the top in list view, regardless of sorting criteria, making it easier to locate directories.
• Visor: A global, system-wide hotkey brings up a Finder window from anywhere, keeping your desktop clean while providing instant access to your files when needed.
• Axe Cut: Provides advanced control over file operations, particularly useful when dealing with large numbers of files or complex moves/copies.
• Slim Status Bar: A more compact status bar provides essential information without taking up excessive screen real estate.

While TotalCommander plugin and FTP support are listed in the original data, TotalFinder's primary focus is enhancing the native macOS Finder environment. These features, if present, might be legacy or part of specialized configurations. Its core strength lies in integrating seamlessly with Finder to provide a more robust and user-friendly file management experience for macOS users.

TotalFinder Review

TotalFinder positions itself as an indispensable upgrade for macOS users who find the native Finder application lacking in features and efficiency. By seamlessly integrating with Finder, it aims to provide a more powerful and user-friendly file management experience without forcing users to abandon the familiar macOS interface.

The most prominent and arguably most valuable feature introduced by TotalFinder is tabbed browsing. In an era where managing multiple open windows can quickly lead to desktop clutter, tabs offer a clean and organized solution. Similar to how modern web browsers handle multiple web pages, TotalFinder allows users to open various folders within a single window, each accessible via a dedicated tab. This drastically simplifies navigating between different locations, especially when working on projects that require accessing files spread across several directories. The ability to quickly switch between tabs using keyboard shortcuts further enhances this efficiency.

Another significant addition is the dual panel view. This feature allows users to display two separate Finder windows side-by-side within the TotalFinder interface. This parallel view is exceptionally useful for tasks like copying or moving files from one location to another, comparing the contents of two folders, or sorting and organizing files. It eliminates the need to manually open and resize two separate Finder windows, streamlining workflows that involve interaction between different file paths. For users accustomed to file managers on other operating systems that offer this functionality, TotalFinder provides a welcome and well-implemented equivalent on macOS.

Beyond these headline features, TotalFinder includes a number of smaller but impactful improvements. The introduction of a true cut and paste function, as opposed to Finder's copy and then delete method, is a seemingly minor change that can significantly improve the intuitiveness of file operations for many users. The 'Folders on Top' option is another touch that prioritizes directory visibility in list view, a helpful organizational aid. The 'Visor' feature, accessible via a global hotkey, provides instant access to a retractable TotalFinder window, keeping the desktop clear while ensuring files are just a keystroke away.

TotalFinder's strength lies in its integration. It doesn't try to reinvent the wheel but rather builds upon the existing Finder foundation. This means the learning curve is minimal for existing macOS users. The added features feel like natural extensions of the native application, rather than bolt-on functionalities. The customization options also allow users to tailor TotalFinder to their specific needs and preferences.

While the original context mentions features like TCC plugin support and FTP, the primary and most widely adopted features of TotalFinder revolve around enhancing basic file management and navigation within the macOS environment. Users seeking advanced network protocols or specialized plugin support might need to verify the current status and implementation of these features.

Overall, TotalFinder provides a substantial upgrade to the standard macOS Finder. The addition of tabs and dual panels, coupled with other workflow enhancements, significantly improves productivity and makes file management a more efficient and less cumbersome process. For macOS power users or anyone who spends a considerable amount of time working with files, TotalFinder is a worthwhile investment that pays dividends in saved time and reduced frustration.