How to make list view the default in macOS

I've used macOS long enough to notice a small but persistent friction: Finder never remembers that I prefer list view and keeps reverting to icon view.

For me list view is the most efficient way to navigate:

• Scan files faster with aligned names and metadata
• Sort instantly by date, size, or type
• Navigate deeply nested folders without visual clutter

Once you get used to it, going back to icon view feels like trying to read a spreadsheet made of stickers.

The Problem with Finder Defaults

macOS lets you set a default view — but it doesn't always apply consistently, especially across existing folders. Finder stores view settings in hidden .DS_Store files scattered throughout your system. That means your default is often overridden by legacy folder preferences.

The Fix: Reset and Enforce List View

To truly make List View the default everywhere, you need to do three things:

• Deletes all .DS_Store files to reset view settings thoughout the system
• Set List View as the global default
• Restart Finder to apply changes immediately

Run the following commands one by one in Terminal:

sudo find / -name ".DS_Store" -type f -delete 2>/dev/null
defaults write com.apple.finder FXPreferredViewStyle -string "Nlsv"
killall Finder

After this, new folders will consistently open in List View.

Bonus Tip

Once you're in list view, press CMD + J inside any Finder window to customize columns, sorting, and layout. These settings will be applied globally for even more control.