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Simon05-07
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Hitting the number 2 open a Finder window on my MacBook Air M3

How do I fix this? When I hit the number 2 in any program, it pulls up a Finder window. I am running macOS Golden Gate 27.0 on a M3 MacBook Air.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Almost always whenI hit the I hit the number two, it pulls up a finder window. It didn't do that though in the "Your question," section below???

Posted on Sep 22, 2026 4:32 PM

1 reply

neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9 (72,871 points)

Sep 22, 2026 7:32 PM in response to Simon05-07

To fix a key triggering Finder, you likely have a custom keyboard shortcut conflict or an accessibility tool mapped to the 2 key.


Check Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Open System Settings on your Mac.
  • Go to Keyboard and click Keyboard Shortcuts.
  • Select App Shortcuts or Services from the sidebar.
  • Look for any shortcut that uses the number 2 or Cmd + 2 / Control + 2 and remove or change it.
  • Alternatively, use the Restore Defaults option.


More info: Use macOS keyboard shortcuts – Apple Support


Check Accessibility and Third-Party Apps

  • If you use third-party keyboard software (like Karabiner-Elements, BetterTouchTool, or a programmable mechanical keyboard), open that app and check if the 2 key has a macro assigned to open Finder.
  • Check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility to see if an active app is intercepting your keystrokes


If that does not help, then see if the problem is present when you boot in safe mode. That process performs some system cleanup and clears caches, and also disables 3rd party extensions that may cause problems.

 

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support


If that does not correct the issue, test in a new user account. A newly-created user account will have all settings at default, and if the issue does not occur in that new account then it provides guidance on what may need to be changed to correct the issue.

 

Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

 

Once the testing is complete, the new account can easily be deleted.

 

Delete a user or group on Mac – Apple Support


Those steps will help to isolate the problem.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256363035