Where Is The Utilities Folder On Mac?

Q: How do I actually find the Utilities folder?

Open Finder, click Go → Utilities in the menu bar. Here’s the thing: a new Finder window pops up with all your utility apps neatly listed. Want it closer at hand? Just drag the Utilities folder itself to your Dock for a permanent shortcut.

Q: What if I still can’t access the Utilities folder?

Try the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + U from Finder. Keyboard shortcut: From any Finder window, press Shift + Command + U —no menus, no fuss. Spotlight: Hit Command + Space , type “utilities,” then press Return . Terminal trick: Open Terminal and paste: open /System/Applications/Utilities

by Alex Chen

Last updated on May 8, 2026macOS & Apple2 min read

macOS & Apple

What’s going on with the Utilities folder?
How do I actually find the Utilities folder?
What if I still can’t access the Utilities folder?
How do I keep the Utilities folder handy?

The Utilities folder on a Mac is located inside the Applications folder.

If you can’t find it, press Shift + Command + U from Finder or Spotlight. That’s honestly the quickest way in macOS Sonoma and later.

What’s going on with the Utilities folder?

The Utilities folder is a hidden toolbox inside the Applications folder.

It’s packed with apps like Disk Utility, Terminal, Activity Monitor, and Boot Camp Assistant. Apple tucks it away on purpose—probably to stop new users from opening Terminal and immediately regretting it.

How do I actually find the Utilities folder?

Open Finder, click Go → Utilities in the menu bar.

Here’s the thing: a new Finder window pops up with all your utility apps neatly listed. Want it closer at hand? Just drag the Utilities folder itself to your Dock for a permanent shortcut.

What if I still can’t access the Utilities folder?

Try the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + U from Finder.

Keyboard shortcut: From any Finder window, press Shift + Command + U—no menus, no fuss.
Spotlight: Hit Command + Space, type “utilities,” then press Return.
Terminal trick: Open Terminal and paste: open /System/Applications/Utilities

How do I keep the Utilities folder handy?

Drag the Utilities folder to the right side of your Dock’s divider.

Keep your Dock clean: move the whole folder, not just random apps.
Update macOS regularly—Apple shuffles apps between updates sometimes.
Rename the folder “Admin Tools” if “Utilities” feels too techy.

Edited and fact-checked by the TechFactsHub editorial team.

Written by

Alex Chen

Alex Chen is a senior tech writer and former IT support specialist with over a decade of experience troubleshooting everything from blue screens to printer jams. He lives in Portland, OR, where he spends his free time building custom PCs and wondering why printer drivers still don't work in 2026.

Contents

What’s going on with the Utilities folder?

How do I actually find the Utilities folder?

What if I still can’t access the Utilities folder?

How do I keep the Utilities folder handy?

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