How to Halt Finder Actions on Mac in 5 Ways | MacBook Air/Pro/iMac

In certain scenarios, such as when having trouble removing a disk or needing to close multiple Finder windows at once, you might wish to completely stop Finder activity on your Mac. However, Finder does not have a Quit option by default. To learn how to stop Finder action on Mac, follow these quick solutions:

Could you please provide the text that needs to be translated into English?

"What does 'stop the finder action' mean?" This phrase refers to the action of terminating or pausing the Finder application on a Mac. Finder is the default file manager on macOS, and it's responsible for managing and displaying files and folders. Normally, you don't need to quit or close Finder unless it's functioning abnormally, such as being slow, unresponsive, or causing the system to freeze. In such cases, stopping the Finder process allows macOS to restart it, which can help resolve the issues. To do this, you can use the Force Quit feature (Command + Option + Escape), select Finder, and click "Force Quit" to restart it.

Why Finder Is Not Responding and Why It Needs to Be Stopped The Finder is the primary file management application on macOS, responsible for interacting with files, folders, and the desktop. Occasionally, users might encounter an issue where the Finder becomes unresponsive or frozen, leading to a frustrating experience. When this happens, it might be necessary to stop and restart the Finder to regain control of your system. Here's an explanation of why Finder might not be responding and why stopping it can be beneficial. 1. **Resource Overload**: Finder might stop responding if it's handling too many tasks simultaneously, such as opening multiple large files, searching for files, or managing numerous open windows. This can cause the application to become unresponsive due to high CPU or memory usage. 2. **Software Glitch**: A software bug or glitch within the Finder itself or a conflicting third-party application could cause it to freeze. These issues might arise due to updates, incompatible software, or corrupted system files. 3. **System Errors**: Sometimes, system errors or file system inconsistencies can lead to Finder not responding. For instance, a damaged volume or disk issue can disrupt the smooth functioning of the Finder. 4. **Kernel Panics**: Although less common, a kernel panic can cause all applications, including Finder, to stop responding. This occurs when the macOS kernel encounters a critical error that it cannot recover from. When Finder is not responding, it's essential to stop it for the following reasons: - **Restore Functionality**: Stopping and restarting the Finder allows you to regain control of your system's basic file management operations, enabling you to continue your work. - **Prevent Data Loss**: If Finder's frozen state prevents you from saving your work, stopping it can help prevent potential data loss by allowing you to save your files. - **Diagnosis and Troubleshooting**: Stopping the Finder can help identify if the issue lies with the application itself or another underlying problem. You can then take appropriate steps to fix the problem, like updating software, repairing disks, or reinstalling macOS. To stop the Finder in macOS, follow these steps: 1. **Force Quit**: Press `Command + Option + Esc` to open the Force Quit Applications window. Select Finder from the list and click "Force Quit." 2. **Terminal Command**: Alternatively, open Terminal (found in /Applications/Utilities/) and type `killall Finder`, then press Enter. This will also stop and restart the Finder. After stopping and restarting the Finder, if the issue persists, it's advisable to seek further troubleshooting steps, such as checking for software updates, removing problematic third-party apps, or seeking assistance from Apple Support.

Finder is the default file manager in macOS. At its core, it functions as the central hub of your Mac, so you usually don't need to close it. However, similar to any other application, Finder can occasionally become unresponsive or freeze. Here are some reasons why Finder might be freezing: 1. **Resource Overload**: If you have too many windows or tabs open in Finder, it can consume a lot of system resources, leading to freezing. 2. **Malfunctioning Extensions**: Third-party Finder extensions can sometimes cause issues and freeze Finder if they're not compatible or have bugs. 3. **Outdated Software**: An outdated macOS or Finder version might have bugs that contribute to freezing. 4. **Corrupted Files or Folders**: Damaged files or system folders can lead to unexpected behavior, including freezing. 5. **Hardware Issues**: Insufficient disk space, a failing hard drive, or memory problems can also cause Finder to freeze. 6. **Conflicting Processes**: Other running applications or processes might be conflicting with Finder, causing it to freeze. 7. **System Cache**: A buildup of cache data can sometimes cause software to malfunction, including Finder. 8. **Software Glitch**: Occasionally, there could be an internal software glitch within Finder itself. To address these issues, you can try the following solutions: 1. **Force Quit**: Press `Command + Option + Esc` to open the Force Quit Applications window, select Finder, and click "Force Quit." 2. **Relaunch Finder**: Click the Apple menu, select "Force Quit," then relaunch Finder from the Applications folder. 3. **Restart Your Mac**: A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches. 4. **Update Software**: Check for macOS and Finder updates in System Preferences > Software Update. 5. **Disable Extensions**: Temporarily disable third-party Finder extensions to see if they're the culprit. 6. **Check Disk**: Use Disk Utility to check for and repair any disk issues. 7. **Clear Cache**: Empty the system caches by restarting in Safe Mode (press and hold Shift while booting). 8. **Remove Problematic Files/Folders**: If you suspect a specific file or folder, move it to the Trash and see if Finder behaves normally. 9. **Contact Support**: If the issue persists, consider contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further assistance.

Mac Memory or Space Shortage

It's recommended to maintain at least 20% of your Mac's storage free for active applications at all times. Consequently, when your Mac's RAM is excessively occupied, the Finder may become sluggish and unresponsive more often.

Corrupted System Preferences and Apps Running in the Background

It's also possible that frozen applications and corrupted system preferences are responsible for the unresponsiveness of Mac's Finder. Multiple app processes can also cause the Finder's performance to become sluggish.

Spotlight Indexing Slows Down Finder Performance

This often occurs after reinstalling macOS or transferring a large file to the Mac.

如何停止MacBook上的Finder动作

Unlike other unwanted Mac programs or applications, Finder cannot be uninstalled or deleted with a simple click. The "Force Quit" option for Finder is not easily accessible unless you know where to find it and how to utilize it. Let's explore five effective methods to stop Finder from running on your Mac.

Fix 1: Force Quit Finder using the Apple Menu To force quit the Finder using the Apple Menu, follow these steps: 1. Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen. 2. From the dropdown menu, select "Force Quit." 3. A window titled "Force Quit Applications" will appear. Locate "Finder" in the list. 4. Click on "Finder," then click the "Force Quit" button. 5. The Finder will close, and you can relaunch it by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or using the command "Command + Space" and typing "Finder" to search for it. This method is useful when the Finder becomes unresponsive or frozen, and you need to restart it.

Occasionally, you might encounter an error message after clicking on Finder that says, "You can't open the application Finder because it is not responding." In such cases, you can use the Apple menu on Mac to force quit Finder, then attempt to relaunch it to see if the error message goes away.

1. Firstly, click on the Apple logo in the top menu bar. 2. Next, choose "Force Quit." 3. Lastly, select "Finder" and then "Relaunch."

Even though this is the most straightforward approach, you might need to try alternative methods if the fix doesn't work.

Fix 2: Use a Shortcut to Restart Finder

Keyboard shortcut, just like Command + C means copy and Command + V means paste, there are also helpful shortcuts for you to force quit the Finder and restart it.

Translate into English: - Press Option, Command, and Esc simultaneously. - Click on "Finder" and then select "Relaunch." - If Finder is not responding and the cursor is not moving, use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + Option + Esc to forcefully quit Finder without needing confirmation.

Fix 3: Stop Finder Action in Terminal To stop the Finder process using the Terminal, follow these steps: 1. Open Terminal: You can do this by searching for "Terminal" in Spotlight (press Command + Space), or by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal. 2. Once Terminal is open, type the following command and press Enter: ``` sudo killall Finder ``` 3. Terminal will prompt you for your administrator password. Type it carefully, as there won't be any visible characters while typing. Press Enter again after entering your password. 4. The Finder process should now restart automatically. If it doesn't, simply launch Finder manually by clicking on its icon in the Dock or by searching for it in Spotlight. This command safely terminates and restarts the Finder, which might resolve the issue you're experiencing.

If the Force Quit option from the Apple menu is not functioning for you due to any reason, you can use the Terminal command line to execute this command. For future ease, you can also directly use Terminal to add the Quit option to the Finder menu.

1. Open the Terminal app. It can be found in the Utilities subfolder within the Applications folder. 2. Enter the following command: `killall Finder`. You can copy and paste this directly. 3. Press Enter. 4. The Finder will restart.

Fix 4: Force Close Finder Using Activity Monitor

A built-in Mac program called Activity Monitor keeps track of your running processes and can assist you in terminating them if needed. Here's how to quit the Finder operation: 1. Locate the "Activity Monitor" application: You can find it in the "Utilities" folder, which is nested within the "Applications" folder on your Mac. 2. Launch Activity Monitor: Double-click on the "Activity Monitor" icon to open the app. 3. View running processes: Once Activity Monitor is open, you'll see a list of processes currently running on your Mac. These processes are categorized into different sections like CPU, Memory, Energy, and Disk. 4. Find the Finder process: Look for "Finder" in the list of processes. It's usually found under the "Processes" tab, and its icon resembles a blue smiley face inside a square. 5. Quit the Finder: To quit the Finder, click on its entry in the list to select it. Then, click on the "X" button (the red circle) located in the top-left corner of the Activity Monitor window. A prompt will appear asking if you want to quit the Finder. 6. Confirm quitting: As the Finder is a critical system process, macOS might warn you about the consequences of quitting it. If you're sure you want to proceed, click "Force Quit." Otherwise, click "Cancel" to dismiss the warning. 7. Relaunch Finder: After quitting the Finder, it will automatically relaunch, or you can manually relaunch it by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock or using the keyboard shortcut "Command + Space" to open Spotlight, then type "Finder" and press "Enter." Remember that forcibly quitting essential system processes may cause temporary disruptions or data loss. Exercise caution when using Activity Monitor to quit processes.

1. Open Activity Monitor from the Tools menu. 2. Select Finder, and you can use the search bar in the upper right corner to locate it. 3. To close Finder, click the Close button (X).

Fix 5: Relaunch Finder from the Dock

某些用户尝试通过键盘快捷键和苹果菜单来退出，却发现强制退出在Mac上无法工作。如果这也是你的问题，试着通过Dock面板重启Finder。

• While holding down the Option key, right-click on the Finder icon in the Dock.
• Select Relaunch.

How to Recover Lost Data on Mac with Crashed Finder

Regardless of the reason behind your Mac Finder continuously crashing, attempting these solutions to cease the Finder's operation on your Mac might raise concerns about your data security. This is because there is a risk of data loss or damage when your MacBook encounters issues. Forcing a restart could inadvertently delete files and data. Upon attempting to turn on your MacBook again, consider recovering deleted Mac files using a tool like Mac file recovery.

To assist with recovering lost files after a macOS update, we offer Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, a tool specifically designed to retrieve various types of data lost due to system upgrades, MacBook factory resets, accidental deletion, virus infections, and more.

If your Mac's Finder consistently crashes or becomes frozen, there is a high likelihood that you may lose your data upon restarting your Mac. Hence, explore this guide to learn how to recover your data on your Mac.

Step 1. Choose the location to scan

Launch the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac and select the hard drive, SSD, SD card, USB flash drive, or TF card from which you've lost data. Click "Search for lost files" to initiate the scanning process.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended to click "Disk Backup" from the left sidebar to create a backup of your Mac to prevent further data loss. Once backed up, the software can retrieve data from the Mac backup, and your computer can resume writing new data.

Step 2. Filter Lost Mac Data

The software will automatically scan for lost data on your MacBook/iMac. Upon completion of the scan, filter the desired data using the "Type" and "Path" buttons.

Step 3. Recover Lost Data or Files

Double-click a file to preview it. Then, click the "Recover" button to restore the lost data to another location.

Conclusion

We've outlined five methods to exit the Finder on a Mac. Bear in mind that if your system applications frequently freeze, you might be at risk of data loss. To ensure the safety of your Mac, consider using data recovery software to backup your data and files.

How to Stop the Finder Action on Mac: FAQs

For even more questions regarding how to force quit Finder on Mac, we've assembled a list of 4 queries that we believe you'll find intriguing:

1. How to force quit Finder and make it relaunch?

• If none of the above solutions worked, attempt restarting your Mac.
• Hold down the power button for a few seconds. If that doesn't help, press the Power button after simultaneously pressing the Control + Command keys.
• If the issue persists, try booting your Mac into Mac Safe Mode.

2. How to prevent the Finder from displaying recent files?

Step 1. Open the "General" tab of the "New Finder windows show" option in Finder Preferences.

Step 2. When you open a new Finder window, you can choose any location to display instead of "Recents."

Step 3. This will remove the "Recents" shortcut, typically found in the Finder sidebar.

Step 4. If "Recent" still appears, go to System Preferences - Spotlight - Privacy, and add external drives to the exclusion list.

3. How do I prevent the Finder from ejecting a disk?

If the Finder becomes unresponsive, you can force it to close. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Press the keys `Command + Option + Esc` on your keyboard to open the "Force Quit" window. 2. In the Force Quit Applications window, locate and select "Finder" from the list of running applications. 3. Click on the "Relaunch" button. This will forcibly close and restart the Finder. 4. After the Finder has relaunched, try removing the external hard drive again. If the issue persists, there might be other underlying problems. It's advisable to ensure the external HD is properly disconnected before restarting your Mac, or you can try restarting your computer in Safe Mode to troubleshoot further.

4. Why can't I force quit Finder on my Mac?

If you're unable to force quit Finder on a Mac using the shortcut or Apple menu, it could be an issue with the keyboard or the Apple menu itself. Attempt alternative methods, such as closing the Activity Monitor or using the Terminal.