Keep folders above files when sorting by name — via Apple Support

Hidden settinglow riskmacOS 14 Sonoma and later

Normally Finder mixes folders and files together alphabetically. With this on, folders are listed first, then files, the way Windows Explorer does it. It can be set for windows and, separately, for the desktop.

Relaunch the app it changes (Finder, Dock…) to see it

The easy way

The easy way: Finder > Settings > Advanced, then under Keep folders on top tick In windows when sorting by name (and On Desktop if you want it there too).
Or in Terminal run the command (it sets the windows option).

Command

Run in Terminal (Applications › Utilities).

defaults write com.apple.finder _FXSortFoldersFirst -bool true; killall Finder

Undo

defaults delete com.apple.finder _FXSortFoldersFirst; killall Finder

Sources

Change Finder settings on Mac — by Apple Support
Keep folders on top — by Yann Bertrand, macos-defaults.com

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every macOS version, so keep the undo handy.

folders firstsortfinderfolders on top

Cut and paste files in Finder (move instead of copy) — via Apple Support

Tricklow risk

Finder has no Cut command in the Edit menu for files, which confuses people coming from Windows. There is a hidden equivalent: copy as normal, then paste with Option held down, and the file moves instead of being duplicated.

Stop .DS_Store files on network shares (faster SMB browsing) — via Apple Support

Commandlow risk

Finder leaves .DS_Store files in every folder it opens to remember view settings, and on network shares reading them slows browsing. Apple documents a setting that stops this on SMB shares, so folders list faster. Windows and Linux users of the share will thank you too.

Show the path bar and status bar in every Finder window — via Apple Support