MacOS File and Folder Structure Tutorial - The Basics

In this video we teach you the basics of the MacOS file and folder structure on your Mac. If you are interested in learning about how your file and folder structure works on your Apple Mac computer then watch this video.

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[himanshudhariwal]

Just got my first Mac after 10+ years of Windows. Was trying to understand the file system on my own (and got even more confused), but your video gave me a lot of clarity. Thank you Craig.

[dewstime]

Great explanation- needed to "see" the options for folder and file organization

[nagrom]

Thank you, it is so important for me at this time in my life, to have files and folders organised so I know where to access them and how to get around my Mac

[fifthavenue]

Clarity is the most important skill an instructor can have and you are very clear and therefore easy to understand. Great video! Thank-you!!!

[don_at_large]

Thank you. I am disabled vet trying to use mac and yours is the most helpful foundational step by step about files I have seen. I learned something. I like and need the basic structure you use to teach.

[davidshropshire]

Thanks Craig. Your video is the most helpful one I have seen. I am a Windows user of over 20 years, attempting to help a non-techyy with his MAC. Before I saw this, I spent 30 minutes trying to do what I could have done in 30 seconds on Windows. My next step is to figure out how to install Plex Server on the MAC.

[wolger]

Got my first mac, a macbook aire in Nov 2021 with iCloud and still struggling. Thanks to this video!

[robertvalentine]

Thank you Craig was very helpful to understand the MacOS file structure. I am using Sonoma.

[loukohigh]

Thank you very much. Very well explained. I am trying to use a MAC computer more often. I am a Windows person, but I need to run some apps in MAC. I needed to understand how the file structure works. It's hard to have a Windows head trying to navigate in a MAC. I always feel lost. Not any more thanks to you.

[DDave]

Just what I needed Craig - thank you. I teach photography and Adobe Photoshop and have been a Windows user for 20 years. I have a few clients with Macs and it was so frustrating for me to figure out how to move photos from their import folder to Adobe Bridge. I think this will help me immensely.

[Petra]

After using my macbook air for several years I finally bothered to understand the file structure. your video is great. Now I have several questions you may answer for me or you can tell me where to find the answers:  
1. My personal folders are all in my username folder, NOT in the documents folder. Should I move them to the documents folder? 
2. My iCloud is turned on. So my documents and desktop folder appear under iCloud. If I turn I ICloud off, will the document and desktop folder move back to my userfolder? 
3. Why should I use the iCloud drive if I don't have several computers?

[jos]

I've been using a Mac for years. Just got a MB Air with Monterey, please do this tutorial over with the current OS. It's driving me utterly bananas. Thanks.

[rodclousing]

Thank you for this easy to follow hierarchy of file management. Ive been a windows user for 20 years and am a stickler for knowing where everything is and the ability to open it. I recently moved to mac. not so different. Thanks

[pineappletop]

Thank you this was helpful I have Catalina and don't have to Go button your referring to how do I get it?

[paulcalif]

Wow, this is gold for a guy that knows Windows very well, but is fairly new to Macs. I am (was?) so frustrated with the Mac file system. But now I think I have it down. I have iCloud drive turned on (I didn't even know). I was having a hell of a time finding my files. Question for you. I use Google Drive for my remote storage, and would like to use it on the Mac. My Mac (iMac late 2014) is in my home that I rent as an Airbnb. I allow my guests to use the computer. I of course don't want my guests to be able to access my files. I've been trying to install the desktop version of Google Drive. during installation, when it comes to selecting whether I want to allow All users to be able to access the Google Drive or just me, the Just Me option is greyed out. I'm hoping it may be because I have the icloud drive turned on. Going to check it out now. Thanks for a VERY GOOD tutorial, I took notes but doubt that I will need them. Excellent work!!

[razorbackroar]

Please tell me how you make every folder a different view. If I make a new folder and I make it icon and then open up another folder that I had in list you it forces it into icon I’ve looked everywhere I don’t know how to turn this off

[hippo-potamus]

How do you force folders to open with their slide/side bar always to the very top? Some of my folders have many items and I noticed that the folders open with the slide/side bar mid way ie half way scrolled down. How do I stop/turn off macbook os high sierra from "remembering" or "deciding" itself what position/scroll down the folder will open with? Thanks

[mkhatri]

since there are no drives so what is the best practice of putting there folders and where ? so that it remains organised ...

[honorvetz]

Well done! You taught this old Windows dog some new tricks. I'm making the jump to Mac after using Windows since the mid '80's just to learn something new. (I played with Linux for the same reason.) This is very helpful. If I may offer a suggestion: maximize the Finder window so viewers can see it better. You have a nice big screen, show it off. ;~) That's just a minor thing in an excellent intro for MacOS. Thanks very much. New subscriber

[Hobbit]

Have been using Mac for years and years and needed this understanding of file structure, desperately. Thanks!