problems with finder

Question

problems with finder

Mac Studio M2 Max

96 GB

running Sequoia 15.1.1

I keep everything up to date always. Ever since the previous OS, I have started having problems with finder. About the only way to get a finder window open for me is to click and hold the finder icon, then select a new finder window.

I can't, for example, use "open" on the trash. Nothing happens. Actually, cannot view trash as a result.

This has been going off or about the last year or so, just sort of ignored it thinking the latest updates OS15, etc would eventually resolve the issue.

Not so.

I have repeatedly done the command-option-esc route and restarted the finder.

New computer, new updated os, but barely functioning finder.

Suggestions?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Mac Studio, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 25, 2024 1:31 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 25, 2024 2:53 PM in response to Texas_Man_Luvs_His_mac

Texas_Man_Luvs_His_mac wrote:

About the only way to get a finder window open for me is to click and hold the finder icon, then select a new finder window.

Are you using the Dock? What happens when you left-click on the Finder icon on the Dock? The Finder app should open. If there's not already an open Finder window, while in the Finder app you can go to File>New Finder Window to open a new window. The shortcut is cmd-n.

I can't, for example, use "open" on the trash. Nothing happens. Actually, cannot view trash as a result.

I'm not sure I understand this question. The Trash icon is on the far right end of the Dock. A single left-click on the icon opens the Finder with the Trash contents shown in a new window. Is that what you meant by "opening the trash"?

I have repeatedly done the command-option-esc route and restarted the finder.

I don't think I've EVER needed to do this. I didn't even know that would restart the Finder.

Have you tried a re-installation of macOS ? Not just an OS update, but a complete reinstallation. You won't lose any files, so don't worry about that, but do follow the directions.

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Nov 25, 2024 3:27 PM in response to William M.

Yes, using the doc. All I have ever used since I made the switch in 2003-ish. The finder will not open when I click on the icon in the dock. I can double click the icon, nothing. Only thing that works is to right click the icon, then choose to open a new finder window. The command + n command no longer responds.

I did re-download and perform a fresh install of 15.1.1 about 1 hour ago, no change unfortunately.

The trash will not open, no matter what I do. Click, double click, right click/open, etc.

I did just uninstall bit defender all the way, reboot the computer, and reran etrecheck. Here is the updated report:

new etrecheck report post uninstalling bitdefender

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Answer 3

PRP_53

Level 10

91,897 points

Nov 26, 2024 1:48 AM in response to Texas_Man_Luvs_His_mac

Bitdefender ?

Ouch

Once this type of software is installed and embedded into the computer >> BitDefender <<

You can spend hours or days hunting down all the bits and pieces of this software and never really get it all off the computer

Start Over from Scratch

For Apple Silicon computer >> Use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon.

For Apple Intel computers >> Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac followed by How to reinstall macOS

Always make a Time Machine Backup before proceeding

If going this route - I suggest Not using Startup Assist to migrate everything back.

This will probably Re-Introduce ( BitDefender ) back into the Operating System

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Answer 4

PRP_53

Level 10

91,897 points

Nov 26, 2024 1:53 AM in response to Texas_Man_Luvs_His_mac

Reinstalling the operating system over the top of the Existing installation ?

It is not going to alter , modify or otherwise fix the issues created by the Third Party Security Software

There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX Foundation and Permission Limitation.

The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that cannot be opened by the User

Security. Built right in

Mac app security enhancements

The Built in Security is all that is required to protect the computer.

Protecting against malware in macOS

There is Adware & Malware which will affect the computer and is generally downloaded from “ Shady “ Websites or Developers who Inject this software into the download.

From a well written User Tip from @Kurt Lang

What is malware? - Apple Community

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Answer 5

PRP_53

Level 10

91,897 points

Nov 26, 2024 9:30 AM in response to Texas_Man_Luvs_His_mac

Over Wifi

This machine is rated for " Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) "

Have a M4 Mac Mini with a Fibre Optic ISP Router with a 1 GB/ Up and Down speeds

You may consider checking your Wifi Connection in System Settings

In below, the general consensus on a Fresh Installation defaults " Rotating " versus Fixed

In my case, this machine exceeds the 1 GB Up / Down speeds consistently

Below is a Speed Test from / to my ISP to illustrate further

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Answer 6

Nov 25, 2024 3:04 PM in response to dialabrain

before I saw your comment, I decided to re-download and reinstall OS 15.1.1, so I did that. Then I saw your comment, here is the report:

EtreCheckPro version: 6.8.7 (68068)

Report generated: 2024-11-25 16:55:42

Download EtreCheckPro from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 2:28

Performance: Excellent

Problem: Other problem

Description:

Finder window not operating correctly

Major Issues:

Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.

Kernel panics - This system has experienced kernel panics. This could be a sign of hardware failure.

System extension blocked - There are system extensions awaiting user approval.

Minor Issues:

These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems or opportunities for improvement.

Apps crashing - There have been numerous app crashes.

Apps with heavy CPU usage - There have been numerous cases of apps with heavy CPU usage.

Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. These files could be old, incompatible, and cause problems. They should be reviewed.

System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.

Heavy I/O usage - Your system is under heavy I/O use. This will reduce your performance.

Limited permissions - More information may be available with Full Disk Access.

Hardware Information:

Mac Studio (2023)

Status: Supported

Mac Studio Model: Mac14,13

Apple M2 Max (m2) CPU: 12-core

96 GB RAM - Not upgradeable

Video Information:

Apple M2 Max

Studio Display 5120 x 2880

Thunderbolt Display 2560 x 1440

AV Receiver 1920 x 1080

Drives:

disk0 - APPLE SSD AP4096Z 4.00 TB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)

Internal Apple Fabric NVM Express

disk0s1 [APFS Container] 524 MB

disk1 [APFS Virtual drive] 524 MB (Shared by 4 volumes)

disk1s1 - iSCPreboot (APFS) [APFS Preboot] (6 MB used)

disk1s2 - xART (APFS) (6 MB used)

disk1s3 - Hardware (APFS) (5 MB used)

disk1s4 - Recovery (APFS) [Recovery] (20 KB used)

disk0s2 [APFS Container] 4.00 TB

disk3 [APFS Virtual drive] 4.00 TB (Shared by 6 volumes)

disk3s1 (APFS) [APFS Container] (10.74 GB used)

disk3s1s1 - Macintosh HD (APFS) [APFS Snapshot] (10.74 GB used)

disk3s2 - Preboot (APFS) [APFS Preboot] (6.61 GB used)

disk3s3 - Recovery (APFS) [Recovery] (960 MB used)

disk3s4 - Update (APFS) (9 MB used)

disk3s5 - Data (APFS) [APFS Virtual drive] (1.99 TB used)

disk3s6 - VM (APFS) [APFS VM] (20 KB used)

disk0s3 [APFS Container] 5.37 GB

disk2 [APFS Virtual drive] 5.37 GB (Shared by 2 volumes)

disk2s1 - Recovery (APFS) [Recovery] (1.84 GB used)

disk2s2 - Update (APFS) (2 MB used)

Mounted Volumes:

disk1s1 - iSCPreboot [APFS Preboot]

Filesystem: APFS

Mount point: /System/Volumes/iSCPreboot

Used: 6 MB

Shared values

Size: 524 MB

Free: 502 MB

disk1s2 - xART

Filesystem: APFS

Mount point: /System/Volumes/xarts

Used: 6 MB

Shared values

Size: 524 MB

Free: 502 MB

disk1s3 - Hardware

Filesystem: APFS

Mount point: /System/Volumes/Hardware

Used: 5 MB

Shared values

Size: 524 MB

Free: 502 MB

disk3s1s1 - Macintosh HD [APFS Snapshot]

Filesystem: APFS

Mount point: /

Read-only: Yes

Used: 10.74 GB

Shared values

Size: 4.00 TB

Free: 1.99 TB

Available: 2.09 TB

disk3s2 - Preboot [APFS Preboot]

Filesystem: APFS

Mount point: /System/Volumes/Preboot

Used: 6.61 GB

Shared values

Size: 4.00 TB

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Answer 7

Nov 25, 2024 3:05 PM in response to Texas_Man_Luvs_His_mac

Free: 1.99 TB

disk3s4 - Update

Filesystem: APFS

Mount point: /System/Volumes/Update

Used: 9 MB

Shared values

Size: 4.00 TB

Free: 1.99 TB

disk3s5 - Data [APFS Virtual drive]

Filesystem: APFS

Mount point: /System/Volumes/Data

Encrypted

Used: 1.99 TB

Shared values

Size: 4.00 TB

Free: 1.99 TB

Available: 2.09 TB

disk3s6 - VM [APFS VM]

Filesystem: APFS

Mount point: /System/Volumes/VM

Used: 20 KB

Shared values

Size: 4.00 TB

Free: 1.99 TB

USB:

USB 3.1 bus

<Empty>

USB 3.1 bus

<Empty>

USB 3.1 bus

<Empty>

USB 3.1 bus

<Empty>

USB 3.1 bus

Apple - USB2 Hub

HP - HP LaserJet M14-M17

Apple - USB3 Gen2 Hub

USB 3.1 bus

Apple - USB3 Gen2 Hub

Realtek - USB3.0 Hub

Apple - USB2 Hub

Realtek - USB3.0 Hub

USB Gaming Mouse

Apple Inc. - Studio Display

USB 2.0 bus

hub_device

Apple Inc. - Apple Thunderbolt Display

Apple Inc. - FaceTime HD Camera (Display)

Apple Inc. - Display Audio

Apple Inc. - MacBook Air SuperDrive

Network:

Interface en0: Ethernet

Interface en6: Ethernet Adapter (en6)

Interface en7: Ethernet Adapter (en7)

Interface en8: Ethernet Adapter (en8)

Interface en9: Ethernet Adapter (en9)

Interface en10: Display Ethernet

Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge

Interface en1: Wi-Fi

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax

Firewall:

Blocked apps:

System Software:

macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 (24B91)

Time since boot: Less than an hour

Security:

Gatekeeper: App Store and identified developers

System Integrity Protection: Enabled

Secure Boot: Full Security

Antivirus software: Apple and Bitdefender

Unsigned Files:

Running app: /Library/DropboxHelperTools/Dropbox_u501/dbkextd

Apps: 8

System Extensions:

[Running] Bitdefender.SPSE - version 1.6.2 (Bitdefender SRL - installed 2024-10-17)

Application: /Applications/Bitdefender/BitdefenderAgent.app - version 1.6.2 (Bitdefender SRL - installed 2024-10-17)

[Not Loaded] com.bitdefender.vpn.neprovider - version 5.2.2 (Bitdefender SRL - installed 2024-10-31)

Application: /Applications/Bitdefender/Bitdefender VPN.app - version 5.2.2 (Bitdefender SRL - installed 2024-10-31)

[Not Loaded] com.bitdefender.vpn.wireguardprovider - version 5.2.2 (Bitdefender SRL - installed 2024-10-31)

Application: /Applications/Bitdefender/Bitdefender VPN.app - version 5.2.2 (Bitdefender SRL - installed 2024-10-31)

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Answer 8

Nov 25, 2024 5:22 PM in response to Texas_Man_Luvs_His_mac

new development. I can not get iMessage to open. It bounces in the dock, a dot appears next to it, and....? Nothing. I right click it and choose "show all windows," nothing. I right click it and select "new message," nothing.

I have new messages to read, but can not get the message app to open.

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Answer 9

Nov 26, 2024 9:09 AM in response to Texas_Man_Luvs_His_mac

only problem now is my internet speed cut in half. I have about 1.3gbs up and down normally. Since the wipe and reset, it is now slightly less than 500 mbs. I verified I am on the exact same wifi set up as before, not sure what changed there. I recall the ATT fiber guy, who happened to be a Mac user, noticed the slow speed on my system and did something to make it zoom quickly over wifi. He stated it was capable of 1g speeds, and he was right!

Not sure what wiping/resetting my system did to slow it down. Thoughts?

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Answer 10

Nov 25, 2024 3:09 PM in response to dialabrain

just saw the additional text option, so rather than posting pieces of the etrecheck report, hopefully it will let me do it all in one big shot. Thanks

etrecheck report

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