What is the name of the Mac's desktop and file manager?

Finder is the Mac’s desktop and file manager. It provides the desktop workspace and lets users browse, organize, copy, move, rename, search, and delete files, folders, applications, disks, and network locations.

Finder dates back to the original Macintosh, introduced in 1984, where it helped establish Apple’s desktop metaphor of icons, windows, folders, and a Trash can. It was completely rewritten for Mac OS X, released to consumers in 2001, while retaining the familiar idea of managing files through a visual desktop. In modern macOS, Finder windows include tools such as the sidebar, tabs, tags, list and icon views, and Quick Look previews.

Finder is easy to confuse with nearby Mac features. The Dock is the strip used to launch and switch between applications, while Launchpad displays installed apps. Finder can launch applications too, but its central role is managing the Mac’s files and storage. Windows users will recognize Finder as roughly analogous to File Explorer, called Explorer in older terminology.