Apple manual How your Mac OS X disk is organized, Finder views

How your Mac OS X disk is organized

The Applications folder contains the Mac OS X applications available to all users of your computer. The Utilities folder in it contains utility applications.

Library contains fonts, plug-ins, Internet search sites, and other items available to all users of your computer.

Users contains your home.

System contains the Mac OS X software. You cannot change it.

You’ll see Applications (Mac OS 9) and System Folder if you install Mac OS X on the same disk with Mac OS 9.

If you set up Mac OS X for several users, you need to log in as an administrator, such as the one you created when you set up Mac OS X, to add items to the Applications and Library folders.

Finder views

View Finder windows in icon, list, or column view. Column view lets you quickly see where items are located.

Click here to change the view.

This area shows information about the item. If it’s a picture, you see a preview. If it’s a movie, you can play it.

Click a folder to see its contents.

For the experienced

Mac OS user

Using Library folders

Put fonts, Internet plug-ins, and other items in the Library folder. Items in the main Library folder are available to all users. Keep items for your personal use in the Library folder in your home. The Library also stores your preferences.

Opening recent items

To open recent applications and documents, use the Recent Items command in the Apple menu. To open recent folders, use the Go menu. You can also open recent items using the pop-up menu in the Open, Save, and Connect To Server dialogs.

Opening folders

If the toolbar is showing and you double-click a folder, the folder opens in the same window. If you press the Apple key or the toolbar is hidden, a separate window opens.

Mac OS X tips

Opening another Finder window

To open another Finder window, choose New Finder Window from the File menu.

Finding anything on your computer

To find anything on your computer, choose Find from the File menu to open Sherlock.

Using favorites

To add an item to your Favorites, select it and choose Add To Favorites from the File menu.

Searching Mac Help

How is my hard disk organized?

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