How to Avoid Opening a New Finder Window After Compressing a Folder on a Mac

When working with files on a Mac, you may encounter the annoyance of a new Finder window opening after compressing a folder. This can disrupt your workflow and decrease your productivity. The good news is that you can prevent this by using the shell terminal to compress your folder directly. This method not only saves you from unnecessary distractions but also streamlines your workflow.

Why a New Finder Window Opens After Compressing a Folder

When you compress a folder in the Finder on a Mac, the Finder creates a new window to display the compressed file. This default behavior can be frustrating, especially if you are working on multiple files or tasks simultaneously. However, by using the terminal, you can compress files without opening a new window, which can save you time and reduce clutter.

Using the Shell Terminal to Compress a Folder

The terminal is a powerful tool that allows you to perform various tasks directly from the command line. In this case, you can use it to compress a folder without opening a new Finder window. This method is particularly useful if you need to automate your workflow or compress large numbers of files.

Step 1: Open the Terminal

First, you need to open the terminal application. To do this, you can use Spotlight search (Cmd Space) and type 'Terminal'. Press Enter to open the terminal.

Step 2: Navigate to the Directory

Before you can compress the folder, you need to navigate to the directory containing the folder you want to compress. Use the cd (change directory) command followed by the path to the directory. For example, if your folder is in the Documents directory, you would type:

cd /Users/YourUsername/Documents

Replace YourUsername with your actual username.

Step 3: Run the Zip Command

Now that you are in the correct directory, you can use the zip command to compress the folder. The zip command works similarly to the Finder's compress functionality but without opening a new window.

folderName

In this command:

zips/ is the directory where the compressed file will be saved. You can create a new directory named 'zips' if you prefer. is the name you want to give to the compressed file. folderName is the name of the folder you want to compress.

For example:

MyFolder

This command will compress the 'MyFolder' folder and save it as '' in the 'zips' directory.

Redirecting Output to a Hidden File

If you want to avoid any output displaying in the terminal, you can redirect the standard output to a hidden file using the operator. For example:

zip MyFolder /dev/null

This command will compress the folder without showing any output in the terminal.

Benefits of Using the Command Line

Using the terminal to compress folders offers several benefits:

Efficiency: You can compress multiple folders or files in a single command, which saves time. No Clutter: Avoid opening new Finder windows, keeping your desktop and Finder windows organized. Automation: You can create scripts to automate compression tasks, making your workflow more efficient. Customization: You have more control over the compression process and can easily customize the settings.

Additional Tips

Here are a few additional tips to enhance your workflow:

Use the zips directory to organize your compressed files. Place the zips directory in a hidden folder to keep it out of sight. If you frequently work with compressed files, consider creating a custom script to automate the process. Explore other command-line tools for additional file management tasks, such as renaming files, moving files, or scheduling tasks.

Conclusion

By using the shell terminal, you can compress folders on a Mac without opening a new Finder window, improving your efficiency and workflow. This method is particularly useful for developers, power users, and anyone who needs to manage files and folders on a regular basis. Give it a try and see the difference it can make in your daily tasks.

Related Keywords

Mac Finder Compress Folder Shell Terminal