How can I replace Finder with Path Finder in OS X Lion?

Solution 1:

According to the Path Finder Support Forums, it is not possible to completely replace Finder with Path Finder. For more information see "Can I replace OS X's Finder with Path Finder?"

Solution 2:

These days (2016) Path Finder is much better integrated already from the start. Often not having Finder running is a good prerequisite for having Path Finder take its place, but this is not always necessary. You can make Finder quit when Path Finder starts in the preferences (See the Finder tab) and you can quit Finder from there as well.

Quit Finder A convenient way to quit Finder is also adding a quit command to its Archive menu by typing this into Terminal defaults write com.apple.Finder QuitMenuItem 1, then press return.

The following two techniques should make Path Finder take the view calls from third party applications, but "Show in Finder" when selected from the Dock will probably not work.

Setup Path Finder to intercept Finder calls

1. Control-Click (Right-Click) on Path Finder and select "Show Package Contents." Go inside the sub-folder "Contents"
2. Double click on the document named "PkgInfo" and replace the "APPLPFdR" with "FNDRMACS"
3. Save and close the document.
4. Log out and in again

Make Path Finder default file viewer

1. Go into terminal and type defaults write -g NSFileViewer -string com.cocoatech.PathFinder and press return. If this is not preferred later or isn't working you can undo with defaults delete -g NSFileViewer and return.
2. Reboot