This Mac App Makes Finder More Like Windows Explorer
I’m a fan of independent Mac utilities, especially multi-purpose ones that can solve a bunch of small problems in one fell swoop. Meet Supercharge , a new all-in-one utility from prolific Mac developer Sindre Sorhus. It provides a unique set of features that I haven’t seen before, including Finder customizations that make it work like Windows Explorer, as well as some nifty keyboard shortcut tools. It also does what other utility apps have done before, but is packaged in a beautifully designed interface, so it’s worth checking to see if alternatives like Almighty have everything you need.
Simplifying the Finder for Windows Migrants
We’ll get to other cool stuff in a bit, but first I want to discuss Finder settings, since that’s what makes Supercharge stand out. The utility has several features that mimic Windows Explorer, so if you’ve just switched to a Mac, you’ll appreciate them. Even if you’re a lifelong Mac user, you might find a new and better way to use the Finder app here (let’s be honest, it might require an update or two).
Windows has an established system for moving files – cut and paste. You cut a file, it grays out in the folder, and when you paste it in a new location, it disappears from the original folder. Mac doesn’t have this feature. There is a workaround to do this: paste text using the keyboard shortcut Option+Command+V. But that’s another thing to remember.
If you like the cut and paste process, you can enable this feature in Supercharge Settings > Preferences > Finder > Move Files Using Cut and Paste . You can even play a sound effect when cutting. If this feature is enabled, simply use Command+X to cut and paste using Command+V to move the file or folder to a new location.
In the Finder Supercharge section, you can also enable a couple of other nifty settings.
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Move files to the Recycle Bin by simply pressing the Delete key instead of Command+Delete (another treat for Windows users).
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Open the file directly by pressing Return instead of renaming it (you can still rename it using Shift+Return).
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Create a new text file using Option+N. A great shortcut for developers and programmers. You can create a file and then use any extension at the end. For example, you can create a markdown file using the “.md” extension at the end.
Even more quality of life improvements
Supercharge has a couple of other great tweaks that I would classify as quality of life improvements that make things easier and easier to use. For example, the Row drop-down menu has an option that lets you quickly hide all windows except the one you’re working on. In the Settings section of Settings , you can also enable a hidden feature that allows you to exit apps only by using the keyboard shortcut Shift+Command+Q instead of the usual Command+Q. If you accidentally keep pressing the Q button (it’s next to the W key, which is used to minimize windows), this might be a really useful feature for you.
Finally, take a look at the Shortcuts section of Supercharge. You can assign keyboard shortcuts to quickly toggle dark mode, grayscale mode, open the Finder, or hide all windows. My favorite option here is the fact that you can assign a keyboard shortcut to exclusively open the Passwords menu bar utility. The latest macOS Sequoia update makes the Passwords app a great contender for the default password manager, and I’m personally a big fan of its hidden menu utility . Opening it with a keyboard shortcut makes it even more convenient. However, Supercharge is not a replacement for a dedicated keyboard shortcut mapping tool like Keyboard Maestro .
Supercharge is available directly from the developer’s website for $8, and can be purchased through Gumroad . The app offers shopping parity, so if you’re from a country with lower purchasing power, the price will be matched automatically (in India, for example, the app costs $4), which is a nice touch.