Ubuntu – How to open the existing file explorer and not a new one

filemanagergoogle-chromenautilus

I have a file explorer window opened and is in the background of Chrome:

screenshot with file explorer behind chrome

However, when I click on the file explorer icon on the Launcher, it doesn't open/switch to the already opened window, but instead open a new one:

screenshot with new window opened in front of chrome

How can I just open/switch to the already-opened file explorer window?

Is this a known behaviour or is it a bug?

Best Answer

You may have the "Open each folder in its own window" check box selected in the Behavior tab of File Management Preferences.

Select a folder
From the top menu bar, select Edit/Preferences
Behavior tab
Uncheck "Open each folder in its own window"

It would help to know which version of Ubuntu you are using; this answer is a guess. Edit your question with the output of this command from the terminal:

lsb_release -a

Related Solutions

Ubuntu – Open Nautilus as a new tab in an existing window

I wrote a bash script and a launcher for that.

First, create the file:

mkdir ~/bin && gedit ~/bin/nautilus-ctrl-t.sh

Then paste the following, and save:

if [ "$(wmctrl -xl | grep "nautilus\.Nautilus")" == "" ]; then
    nautilus "$1" &
else  
    #Save old clipboard value
    oldclip="$(xclip -o -sel clip)"

    echo -n "$1" | xclip -i -sel clip
    #wmctrl -xF -R nautilus.Nautilus && xdotool key "ctrl+t" "ctrl+l" && xdotool type "${1}" && xdotool key Return
    wmctrl -xF -R nautilus.Nautilus && xdotool key ctrl+t ctrl+l ctrl+v Return

    #Restore old clipboard value
    echo -n "$oldclip" | xclip -i -sel clip
fi

Then run the command:

sudo chmod u+x ~/bin/nautilus-ctrl-t.sh

Now, to create the launcher file, run this command:

gedit ~/.local/share/applications/Nautilus-Ctrl-t.desktop

Paste the following, and save:

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=Nautilus-Ctrl-t
Comment=Launches Nautilus if not yet, otherwise opens a new tab in it
Categories=FileManager;GNOME;
Icon=/usr/share/icons/gnome/48x48/apps/system-file-manager.png
Exec=/bin/bash -c ~/bin/nautilus-ctrl-t.sh
Terminal=false

Log out, or restart to update the application list and you're done.

Try that. Hope it helps.

UPDATE

Added a location as a script parameter

UPDATE 2

Replaced xdotool type with xclip

UPDATE 3

Cleaned up the process by adding numbers. Added mkdir command. Updated the first "if statement" because if nautilus is managing the desktop, it will have a pid, but no active window, so better to use wmctrl. Added quotes around the first argument in case there are spaces. Changed the icon for nautilus to be system default in the .desktop file.

Ubuntu – How to make the nautilus icon open the existing window instead of a new one

I watched a video and it says that the problem can be solved by NOT clicking on it , instead you just scroll your mouse over the Files icon . It worked for me.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Ubuntu – Open Nautilus as a new tab in an existing window

Ubuntu – How to make the nautilus icon open the existing window instead of a new one

Related Question