Is there a Finder shortcut in Mac like the "Windows-e" shortcut to bring up Windows Explorer?

In Windows, no matter what application you're in, Windowse will bring up a Windows Explorer window.

Is there a similar shortcut in Mac? Currently I have to Commandtab until Finder is selected, then press Commandn for a new window.

Solution 1:

There is no shortcut integrated into the OS. However, there are workarounds:

1. OptionCommandSpace opens a Spotlight window, from which you can navigate to where you wish to go as in Finder. (It is essentially a Finder window, just opened to Spotlight)
2. Use a shortcuts manager such as Quicksilver or Spark to create a custom shortcut.

Solution 2:

There is a more generic way, although not straightforward.

1. Open Automator
2. Create a new service
3. Close to the upper-left corner of the automator window, there is a button labelled "Variables": push it
4. In the second column there is a variable named "Path": double-click it
5. A blue bubble labelled "Path" appears in a list at the bottom right of the automator window: double-click it
6. In the pop-up, change the directory: Select the directory that will be the initial one shown by your Finder, then click "Done".
7. Drag the bubble "Path" to the empty grey area at the right of the window and drop it: an item named "Get Value of Variable" appears as first step of the workflow
8. Click on the button "Actions" next to the button "Variables" (See step 3)
9. In the first column, select "Files or folders"
10. In the second column double-click "Open Finder Items": an item named "Open Finder Items" appears as second step of the workflow
11. Make sure you read "Service receives no input in any application" above the workflow diagram

12. Save the service, using menu File/Save. Type in the name "Openfinder", then click "Save"

13. Now open the System Preferences

14. Select Keyboard, then Keyboard and shortcuts
15. In the left column, highlight Services
16. In the right column, find the name "Openfinder" in the "General" section and select it
17. Click the button "Add shortcut" next to the name "Openfinder"
18. Type the shortcut of your choice (but conflicts with existing shortcuts do not seem to be notified by te system)

Sorry for the number of steps. I wish it were simpler.

You can use this method to create any kind of shortcut!