macOS processes › Menu bar and interface
What is Finder on Mac?
Finder is the Mac's file manager, and it also draws the icons on your desktop. It's always running, and relaunching it is safe because macOS restarts it automatically.
What it does
It shows your files and folders, handles copying and moving, and asks other services for icons, previews and tags. It also shows iCloud Drive and other cloud folders and the sync status of their files.
Why it gets busy
- Calculating folder sizes, if Calculate all sizes is on in View Options.
- Folders with thousands of files or large image and video thumbnails.
- Network drives that are slow or no longer reachable.
- Large copy or move operations.
Why is Finder using so much CPU?
Finder uses CPU when it's sizing folders, making thumbnails for big folders, or waiting on network drives. Turn off Calculate all sizes and relaunch it if it's stuck.
Is it safe to quit?
macOS restarts it right away. Copies in progress in Finder are cancelled, so let those finish first.
How to calm it down
- Turn off Calculate all sizes in View › Show View Options for big folders in List view.
- Use List view instead of Icon or Gallery view for folders with thousands of images or videos.
- Eject network drives you're not using.
- Relaunch it: hold Option, Control-click the Finder icon in the Dock, and choose Relaunch.
In SystemWatch
SystemWatch knows Finder's typical memory use and shows when it's far above it, and the website edition can also show which files Finder has open.
