Hiding Folders? iMac 20"

[About2SwitchOvr]

I just got my lovely iMac 20", and was wondering how I can hide certain folders? For example, the MOVIES folder (gf coming into town this week!!!) :eek: .
I remember in Windows, I can choose the properties for a certain folder, and hide it... Can I do something like this on this new machine? THANKS!!

[wrldwzrd89]

I just got my lovely iMac 20", and was wondering how I can hide certain folders? For example, the MOVIES folder (gf coming into town this week!!!) :eek: .
I remember in Windows, I can choose the properties for a certain folder, and hide it... Can I do something like this on this new machine? THANKS!!
This can be done, since the Mac OS filesystem (HFS) does have an Invisible property for files and folders. However, changing its value requires using a resource editor like ResEdit (classic only, discontinued by Apple) or Resorceror (free to try, $256 to buy, Mac OS X native) because this data is stored in the file/folder's resource fork.

[Josh]

can't you just rename the folder with a "." in front of it to make it invisible?

I know the UNIX terminal works that way, but not sure if the GUI will correspond.

Or just move the folder somewhere else she wont go - I highly doubt she will be snooping around your /usr directory.

[bankshot]

If you have the Developer Tools installed, it's fairly easy to set the invisible attribute from the command line. Just open Terminal and type:

/Developer/Tools/SetFile -a V /path/to/file

where, for example, /path/to/file would be /Users/yourname/Movies (or just use a relative path if it's under your current directory). To set it back to visible, use the same command, but a lowercase 'v' instead of uppercase.

After you do this, you'll need to relaunch Finder (Cmd-Opt-Esc) for it to take effect.

You can also rename it to start with a . as Josh suggested. You'll have to do that from Terminal as well, since the Finder doesn't allow it. Just use the 'mv' command.

[About2SwitchOvr]

If you have the Developer Tools installed, it's fairly easy to set the invisible attribute from the command line. Just open Terminal and type:

/Developer/Tools/SetFile -a V /path/to/file

where, for example, /path/to/file would be /Users/yourname/Movies (or just use a relative path if it's under your current directory). To set it back to visible, use the same command, but a lowercase 'v' instead of uppercase.

After you do this, you'll need to relaunch Finder (Cmd-Opt-Esc) for it to take effect.

You can also rename it to start with a . as Josh suggested. You'll have to do that from Terminal as well, since the Finder doesn't allow it. Just use the 'mv' command.


You guys are right, I guess I can just move it... that seems like it'd be the easiest way to do it... I don't know if I'm real comfortable messing around with all those commands (1) don't know how to access it, (2) just got this puppy, so I'd HATE to mess it up... THANKS for the input!!