MacOS – How to remove the Finder icon from the Dock

customizationdockfindermacos

I've started using Forklift as a Finder replacement, so I don't need Finder in my Dock. In fact, I would much rather have Forklift be the farthest left icon so I don't accidentally click on Finder.

The usual method of dragging the app out of the Dock doesn't work, and neither does command-dragging. The contextual menu doesn't allow you to remove the icon.

Is there some way to, on Lion, remove the Finder from the Dock?
Perhaps there's a database or plist file I can change?

Best Answer

There is no easy way to do this, but there is a little hack :)

  1. Navigate to /System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/Resources/
  2. Backup DockMenus.plist
  3. Open DockMenus.plist in your favorite text editor with root access

  4. Find section finder-running and add new sub-section

    <dict>
    <key>command</key>
    <integer>1004</integer>
    <key>name</key>
    <string>REMOVE_FROM_DOCK</string>
</dict>

    or just Download my version of DockMenus.plist

  5. In plist editor file should look like this:

    Plist Editor

  6. Open Terminal and run killall Dock.

  7. Right click on Finder icon in Dock - Bingo!

    Finder "Remove from dock"

p.s After Dock restart (manual relaunch or mac reboot) you need manually remove Finder icon from Dock

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