up vote 2 down vote favorite
1
share [g+] share [fb]

I find the Cmd + O shortcut to open a file in Finder unintuitive. Does anyone know how to change it? I'd like to set it so that enter opens a file instead of going into rename mode.

link|improve this question
feedback

6 Answers

up vote 7 down vote

I'm not sure that's possible or recommended given that it is a basic function of the Finder. Keep in mind that Cmd-Down also opens the file if that is any more intuitive.

link|improve this answer
2  
Could the person that down-voted this please do the courtesy of explaining why? Sometimes an answer to a question is indeed 'no'. It's a valid answer. Keyboard preferences doesn't let you override "enter" so I was offering an alternative. – Paulo Oct 22 '09 at 20:28
While a sane person wouldn't do what I suggest in my answer, Enter can be used as a shortcut. It "just" requires manual editing of plist files in ~/Library/Preferences. – Daniel Beck Jan 25 '11 at 12:22
Surprisingly, I set Enter for the Zoom window menu item and forgot all about it. At least Safari works beautifully with it -- entering URLs still works. – Daniel Beck Jan 25 '11 at 13:39
Also good to know: Cmd+Right Arrow: to expand collapsed folder in Finder | Cmd+Left Arrow: to collapse expanded folder in Finder | Cmd+Up Arrow: Go to the parent folder of the current file\folder – RaamEE Jun 21 '11 at 7:57
I was searching for something like this and came across this thread. Big tanks to Paulo. I was starting to get uncomfortable with constantly having to double click files that I want to open as opposed to the Enter key on Windows. – Registered User Nov 25 '11 at 3:21
feedback
up vote 2 down vote

It is possible using third party software, because they intercept keystrokes before they arrive at the frontmost application.

Using Butler I was able to define a Keystrokes item that presses Cmd-Down whenever the hot key Return is pressed only in Finder. For a more detailed description, see this somewhat related answer.

The problem is similar to the other answer's:

A significant downside to this sledge-hammer-solution: You cannot ever press return in Finder to have it mean something else. Committing changes to a Get Info dialog to rename something, or triggering a dialog's default button: Return is not going to work.

It is definitely not possible using system methods.

Using System Preferences » Keyboard » Keyboard Shortcuts » Applications I defined a shortcut so that Return triggered the Open menu item (with some manual editing of plist files, it's possible):

Return still triggers renaming.

Even using a Service* to trigger the action won't work:

  • Shortcuts for application specific services are configured the same way as custom shortcuts to regular menu items
  • Shortcuts in .GlobalDomain.plist for all applications don't work either. I tried.
link|improve this answer
This answer deserves more upvotes. There's a free third party app, KeyRemap4MacBook, that will do this as well (see my answer for more details). – Russell Davis Nov 18 '11 at 22:36
feedback
up vote 2 down vote

Use KeyRemap4MacBook (despite the name, it works on all Macs). In the Change Key section, navigate to For Applications, then Enable at only Finder, then check Return Key Opens a file.

Note: This is a free app that basically does the same as the commercial apps mentioned in Daniel's answer. It has the same limitations regarding pressing Return in other contexts inside Finder.

link|improve this answer
Nice. (Though I wouldn't use it as I like all computers I use to work the same, and like to be able to work with any Mac.) – Arjan Nov 18 '11 at 23:25
Does it work properly, i.e. without the problems I mention in the first part of my answer? – Daniel Beck Nov 19 '11 at 6:12
1  
@Daniel, it has the same limitations as you mention -- in fact, the UI warns "use F2 to rename but caution not to use Return when done typing or file opens". – Russell Davis Nov 19 '11 at 6:43
that software rocks - so useful for running windows VM scenarios. – Adam Tuliper Jan 3 at 3:48
feedback
up vote 1 down vote

This might probably help you:

http://forums.macosxhints.com/archive/index.php/t-31633.html

Also have a look at ReturnOpen.

link|improve this answer
@Bobby Why did you remove the ReturnOpen reference? While "google it" isn't that useful, you could have inserted a direct link to it. – Daniel Beck Jan 25 '11 at 12:39
@Daniel Beck: True, mea culpa. – Bobby Jan 25 '11 at 18:41
ReturnOpen no longer works for Mac OS X 10.6. I suspect it's just an application automating what I described as not (no longer) working in my answer. – Daniel Beck Jan 25 '11 at 18:44
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

Could you use this method to add an action for the Finder application?

Keyboard prefs > keyboard shortcuts tab > +

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

You can't do it. "Enter" or "Return" aren't single key options, you have to have a modifier. Probably why pressing enter or return doesn't open the file in the first place, because the way the system is set up actions need a modifier key.

link|improve this answer
the way the system is set up actions need a modifier key — but then why would Return without any modifier trigger file renaming? – Arjan Nov 18 '11 at 23:23
@Arjan: No idea. – Josh K Nov 19 '11 at 0:21
So, I mean: then the system is not set up in a way that actions need a modifier key? Sorry for bugging you with such an old post ;-) Ah, or maybe you're referring to the System Preferences for keyboard, when mentioning "actions"? – Arjan Nov 19 '11 at 9:00
1  
@Arjan I'm actually not sure what I meant. This is such an old post I can't even remember answering it. – Josh K Nov 22 '11 at 18:14
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown
discard

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.