How can I remove the Finder icon from my Dock?

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?

Solution 1:

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:

   

6. Open Terminal and run killall Dock.

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

   

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

Solution 2:

It works for me on HighSierra (10.13.6) with SIP disabled.

I have used the following command to edit the .plist file:

PL="/System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/Resources/DockMenus.plist"&&
sudo -- defaults write $PL finder-running -array-add  '<dict><key>command</key><integer>1004</integer><key>name</key><string>REMOVE_FROM_DOCK</string></dict>'

Check result with sudo defaults read $PL finder-running.

If it looks fine run sudo chmod -v +r $PL; killall Dock.

Here is the Italian formatted version of that AppleScript:

tell application "System Events"
    tell UI element "Finder" of list 1 of process "Dock"
        perform action "AXShowMenu"
        click menu item "Rimuovi dal Dock" of menu 1
    end tell
end tell

That’s all, I hope it is useful as a quick complete recap.