

This option is great for users who wish to use the Dock primarily as a tool for managing open applications while using another means, such as Spotlight, to actually launch applications. The Standard Dock Displaying All Active and Inactive Items After entering the Terminal command the Dock is much smaller, and only those open applications are displayed. In the following screenshots, the first image shows the Dock before entering the Terminal command.įinder, Mail, TweetBot, Safari, Pages, Activity Monitor, and Terminal are open, but all the other applications are still displayed. To do this, head back to Terminal and enter the following command: defaults write static-only -bool TRUE Once the change takes effect, youll notice that your Dock is likely much smaller now, with only open applications displayed. Some users, however, may wish to limit the Dock to displaying only open and active applications. The Custom 2D Dock in 10.8 Mountain Lion Show Only Active Applications By default, OS Xs Dock displays all active applications as well as inactive applications and folders that the user wants to keep handy. If you dont like the new look and want to change back to the default 3D Dock, simply retype the Terminal commands above and replace YES at the end with NO (again, remember to type killall Dock afterwards to force the change to take effect). The Default 3D Dock in 10.8 Mountain Lion Although the 2D Dock looks a bit different than its predecessors in earlier versions of OS X, the change still gives user the general look they were missing. Starting with the release of OS X 10.5 Leopard in 2007, however, Apple changed the dock to feature a 3D look, with the icons now resting on a 3D platform.įunctionality generally remained the same, but many users prefer the 2D look over the 3D look. Therefore, after entering each command, type the following and press Return to quickly restart the Dock: killall Dock The Dock will disappear briefly and then reload with the changes now visible. You can either type the commands below directly into Terminal or copy and paste them.īecause well be modifying files that are in active use on the system, the changes wont take place immediately. Terminal is an application included in OS X that allows the user to, among other things, access and modify low-level settings in the operating system.

Terminal Quick Links Terminal Enable 2D Dock Mode Show Only Active Applications Change the Maximum Magnification Level Change the Docks Position Dim Hidden App Icons Use the Hidden Suck Animation to Minimize Windows Always Show Full Trash Icon Add a Recent Items Stack Add Spacers to the Dock All of these customization options rely on Terminal commands. Sierra Icons For Rocket Dock Full Trash Icon

