Super Handy Tip: Enable 'path view' in Finder

[aphex]

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/05...e-path-view-in-finder/

When you open a Finder window and start browsing to a folder, do you lose track of the path to that folder? If you do, the Terminal command below will enable path view in the Finder -- this means that you will see the directory path to the current folder you are browsing in the title bar, instead of only seeing the name of the current directory.

To make directory paths visible atop Finder windows, open Terminal.app (/Applications/Utilities/) and type the following command:

defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool YES

Once you run the above command, you will also need to restart the Finder, so you can either type "killall Finder" and hit return, or use the Force Quit option under the Apple menu to relaunch it. The Finder will restart, and you will start seeing the paths to directories in the title bar.

Update: As some have pointed out in the comments below, this Terminal command will only work with Mac OS X Leopard (version 10.5).

I absolutely love this. I always have to switch to Columns view to see where the directory i'm looking at resides. This makes things much easier for me.

 

[aphex]

Oops, well I guess you can also select 'Show Path Bar' from the view menu, but its handy to have it up top as well without taking up any room

 

[Kmax82]

Yea.. I like it better up top, so thanks for the tip.

 

[Kaido]

I added an App for this yesterday, enjoy:

http://pcwizcomputer.com/weaksauce12/?p=329

 

[randomlinh]

yeah, I agree it's better at the top, but nice that they at least have the option w/o having to dig into bookmarks looking for the command =) Now if someone finds a way to copy the current path too...

haha, just noticed the program Kaido linked.. that works too w/o having to dig for the command

 

[suklee]

Thanks, this is really handy!

 

[umrigar]

Since at least 10.3, you could use View > Customize Toolbar... and add the Path button. I do it on every single Mac I administer.

You can also Command-click on the name at the top of the Finder window to see the upward path on your drive.