How to Change Macintosh Desktop Folder and Image Icon Size using Mac OSX

Quickly identifying images stored in my Macintosh desktop folder was becoming a hassle until I discovered this feature in my Mac Mini's OSX. Using it I can change my desktop folder and image icon size so they appear as large thumbnail previews with larger, more easily readable file names. I can even change the backgrounds within file folders to make them easily distinguishable from others I may have open on my Macintosh desktop. I couldn't believe how easy this was to do. Here's how to change desktop folder and image icon size using Mac OSX.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. While in Finder, open a file folder that holds image files. This could be a folder stored on your Macintosh desktop or in your hard drive. Depending on how your default is set, you may see image files appear only as their application icon, for instance, a JPEG file will not show the actual image, but the image icon for JPEG files. They will also be fairly small, the font of the file name will be fairly small and they will not show the size of the image file.

2. 

   If you are not seeing only icons, but are seeing your files in a List or in Column format, go up to the toolbar and click on VIEW. Select "Show Icons." Your screen will then look similar to the image at left. (Click thumbnail screen shot at left to enlarge.)

3. 

   Now go back up to VIEW and down to "Show View Options." The keyboard shortcut is Apple+J. The box that appears should look like the one at left.
   
   Most of the options for you to customize your Macintosh desktop folders, image icon sizes and file folder backgrounds are self-explanatory here. You can choose to make the changes you select apply only to this particular file folder, or to all your file folders. Change the size of the icons, the size of the font used, whether you want the image to show as a preview, to show item info (file size), if you want the file's label to show on the bottom or to the side, and how you want your files arranged.

4. 

   The last option is to select a background for your file folder. There are lots of choices! Play around and see what you like. It's all super easy to change, if you find you don't like the custom file and image icons and file folder background you've chosen.

5. You can use the "Show View Options" feature to customize your image icon size in the List and Column file formats, too. You just don't have as many options. And you can customize the size of the icons for your Macintosh desktop folders, as well, using this feature. Just click on an empty space on your desktop and go up to VIEW on the toolbar, down to "See View Options" and proceed the same way as you did to customize file and image icons.
   
   Being able to change desktop folder and image icon size using Mac OSX makes it so much easier to use large folders of images. And it's also easier on your eyes to be able to make the icons and file names large enough to see without sitting on top of the monitor. Don't forget to take a look around the page for other Related Articles to make using your Mac easier and more fun!

[goodselfme]

on 3/3/2009 Wonderful hints for folders on the desktop. TX

[lrecker]

on 2/17/2009 Great Mac article Lisabud!