Quick Trick - Launch App, Close Finder Window All-in-One

This is a quick trick I have just "recovered". I learned it when I first got my Mac, but then promptly forgot it again (so many keyboard shortcuts, so little time!). I spent some time recently experimenting and now have it under control again.

Ever been frustrated at having to use Finder to navigate to an application or utility of interest, and then having to follow up and close the Finder window after double clicking to launch the app? No more!

Hold down the Alt/Option key while double clicking. The app launches and the Finder window closes, all in one action.

A simple but most effective little "trick". Enjoy!

Thanks, I forgot about that one too.

Wow nice, thanks!

Uh. The finder window doesn't close. Option clicking on another application hides the previous application while giving focus to the next one. So you can do this on any other app as well.

Hi goobimama, it does on my machine. I am still running Tiger. Perhaps this changed in Leopard?

mac57 said:

Perhaps this changed in Leopard?

Click to expand...

I hope not. It's done this since System 6, maybe before.

goobimama said:

Uh. The finder window doesn't close. Option clicking on another application hides the previous application while giving focus to the next one. So you can do this on any other app as well.

Click to expand...

He's talking about option-double-clicking something. If you option-double-click anything in a Finder window (document, application, another folder) then the parent window will close as the new item opens.

Of course, good catch technologist. Goobimama does say "option clicking". You are right, I should have noticed that. My post was about option double clicking. Does that make it better goobimama?

Ah. okay. This one I didn't know. Good one technologist...

Btw, Option clicking an app icon in the dock hides the current one and gives focus to the new one...

Tech is correct. Works great here in 10.5.1.

Thanks for the Tip. Never tried this one before.