Okay, I know how to set OSX to let you view the hidden files on your hard drive. However, what I can not figure out is how to actually change these files to be "unhidden" once you have them viewable. Anyone know what to do?
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles NO
Launch Utilities/Termimal and enter:
press enterCode:defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
When you no longer want it visible, write:
press enterCode:defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles NO
It is better to use an encrypted folder for this.
EDIT: Or are you referring to something like this topic support topic?
There is also this GUI,"Unhide Utility", which may be more to your liking. I have not used it myself so cannot recommend it.
-mj
-mj
I mean to change the actual status of the file so that it is no longer physically a hidden/invisible file.
I used this command and I found my deleted files and where my Trash is actually located on my HD. In my home folder is a hidden file named ".Trash". I was curious, what happens if I delete the ".Trash" file and send it to the Trash? Is this possible? Will my system crash? What happens? lol I don't want to do it myself and possibly risk permanently deleting my Trash.
I believe you can use Developer Tools for that if they are installed: /Developer/Tools/SetFile -a V /Users/~/filename
-mj
$ pwd
/Users/MyUsername
$ ls -a
.bash_profile
$ mv .bash_profile bash_profile
$ ls
bash_profile
All one needs to do is use Terminal to remove the "." that is in front of hidden files.
The -r is for recursive, the -f for force (no confirmation). Type in "man rm" for more details.upaymeifixit said:I have a question. What is -rf for? (Often seen in sudo rm -rf *dir*)
Okay, I know how to set OSX to let you view the hidden files on your hard drive. However, what I can not figure out is how to actually change these files to be "unhidden" once you have them viewable. Anyone know what to do?
chflags hidden /path/to/file.ext
chflags nohidden /path/to/file.ext
Can you be a bit more specific with what I need to plug into the equation, wrldwzrd89? I'm a bit dumb with computer language.
Let's say, for example, that the photo can be found in the folder called "July 2011", which is in the larger folder called "College," which is finally sorted under the main Mac folder called "Pictures." We'll say the file name is "Crazy Night Downtown 023."
You can also just drag & drop the file onto the Terminal window, assuming you can see it in the Finder, after typing the chflags nohidden (or chflags hidden) part, then a space.chflags hidden ~/Pictures/College/July\ 2011/Crazy\ Night\ Downtown\ 023.jpg
You can also just drag & drop the file onto the Terminal window, assuming you can see it in the Finder, after typing the chflags nohidden (or chflags hidden) part, then a space.
Having same issue. I transferred old files that I had on external hard drive to my 2018 macbook pro and some are hidden. Want to make them permanently visible. Already tried using terminal and followed instructions above. chflags nohidden (dragged folder) hit enter. Folder and contents remain hidden.
.
, then you can only temporarily unhide it by configuring Finder (see post #2 or use the following keyboard shortcut in Finder: shift
+ command/alt
+ .
.hidden
, then it can be removed by calling chflags nohidden <file>
in Terminal.setfile -a v <file>
(note the lowercase v
).For the contents of folders use chflags -R nohiddenchflags nohidden (dragged folder) hit enter. Folder and contents remain hidden.