In Mac OS and Mac OS X, what is the Simple Finder?

The Simple Finder, introduced in Mac OS 8, is a pared-down version of the standard Mac OS Finder. In Mac OS 8 through 9.x the Simple Finder is always available, but in Mac OS X it is only for specifically configured non-administrative accounts.

To activate the Simple Finder, follow these steps:

Mac OS X

Note: The Simple Finder is only available in Mac OS X 10.2 and later.

1. While logged into an account with administrative privileges, from the Apple menu, select System Preferences... .
   
   
2. In System Preferences, from the View menu, select Accounts.
   
   
3. In OS X 10.2.x only, in the Accounts preference pane, click the Users tab.
   
   
4. In the user list, select the account that you'd like to set to use the Simple Finder, then click Capabilities... (10.2.x), Limitations (10.3.x), or Parental Controls (10.4.x).
   
   
5. In 10.4.x, in the pane that appears, check the box next to Finder & System, and then click Configure... . In the sheet that drops down, click the radio button next to Simple Finder. You may determine which applications the account will have access to, and select other functions which the account may use (e.g., CD and DVD burning, modifying the Dock). When you're finished, click OK to save your changes.

   In 10.3.x, in the pane that appears, click the Simple Finder button. In the section below that, you may determine which applications the account will have access to. Once you're finished, click another account, or close System Preferences and when prompted, click OK to save your changes.

   In 10.2.x, in the sheet that appears, click the checkbox next to Use Simple Finder. In the section below that, you may determine which applications the account will have access to. Once you're finished, click OK.

When you are logged into an account where the Simple Finder is active, you can access the normal Finder by selecting Run Full Finder... from the Finder menu. You'll be asked to enter an administrator's username and password, and then the full Finder will appear. To revert back to the Simple Finder, select Return to Simple Finder from the Finder menu.

Mac OS 8 through Mac OS 9.x

1. From the Finder's Edit menu, select Preferences... .
   
   
2. In Mac OS 8.5 and later, click the General tab, then click the checkbox next to Simple Finder. In Mac OS 8.0 and 8.1, click the checkbox next to Simple Finder.

Also see:

• In Mac OS and Mac OS X, what are spring-loaded folders?
• What are contextual menus?
• In Mac OS X, while running multiple applications, how can I clean up my cluttered screen?
• In Mac OS and Mac OS X, what is the Finder?