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?
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How to set files as Hidden/Unhidden
- Thread starter justinlt99
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Launch Utilities/Termimal and enter:
press enter
When you no longer want it visible, write:
press enter
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
Code:
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YESWhen you no longer want it visible, write:
Code:
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles NOIt 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'm not talking about making it visible --- I know how to do that. I mean to change the actual status of the file so that it is no longer physically a hidden/invisible file.
I believe you can use Developer Tools for that if they are installed: /Developer/Tools/SetFile -a V /Users/~/filename
-mj
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've done this before accidentally. I think I typed in: sudo rm ~/.Trash or something like that. I found out all it does is sends it to the /.Trashes folder that every volume has on it. That folder is then rebuilt when you log in (I restarted). Now I think I've deleted the /.Trashes folder before, but I don't really remember.
I have a question. What is -rf for? (Often seen in sudo rm -rf *dir*)
?
All one needs to do is use Terminal to remove the "." that is in front of hidden files.
To use my bash_profile file (a commonly accessed hidden file for some) for example:
Code:
$ pwd
/Users/MyUsername
$ ls -a
.bash_profile
$ mv .bash_profile bash_profile
$ ls
bash_profile
Some files/folders are hidden without them having a dot in front of their name, such as /var/. Also, when you already know the name of the file, you can directly access it anyways without renaming it, e.g., open -t .profile
The -r is for recursive, the -f for force (no confirmation). Type in "man rm" for more details.upaymeifixit said:
Still unanswered...!
This is a great question, and it hasn't been entirely answered. If you set a file to "hidden," how do you undo such an action?
Part Two of my question gets even trickier: On my old PC, I made a few photos hidden. (Let your minds wander.) When I transfered all my photos to my beautiful new MacBook, they remained hidden. If I use Terminal commands to view them, they become visible; however, they remain hidden files. So although I can see them as faded photo icons, they can not be "unhidden" like the rest of my photos. How do I fix this mess and set these PC-hidden photos to be completely visible at all times?
And please, everybody, understand that "hidden" is NOT the same as "invisible." My PC photos are hidden files that are invisible; Terminal commands make them visible; I want the file to be unhidden.
Thanks for the help, iFriends!
This is a great question, and it hasn't been entirely answered. If you set a file to "hidden," how do you undo such an action?
Part Two of my question gets even trickier: On my old PC, I made a few photos hidden. (Let your minds wander.) When I transfered all my photos to my beautiful new MacBook, they remained hidden. If I use Terminal commands to view them, they become visible; however, they remain hidden files. So although I can see them as faded photo icons, they can not be "unhidden" like the rest of my photos. How do I fix this mess and set these PC-hidden photos to be completely visible at all times?
And please, everybody, understand that "hidden" is NOT the same as "invisible." My PC photos are hidden files that are invisible; Terminal commands make them visible; I want the file to be unhidden.
Thanks for the help, iFriends!
Terminal to the rescue again.
... will hide a file (no developer tools required)
... will unhide a file (no developer tools required either).
Code:
chflags hidden /path/to/file.ext
Code:
chflags nohidden /path/to/file.extCan 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."
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.
Last edited:
You can drag and drop multiple files and folders. Terminal magic makes them Visible.
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.
The solution depends on what makes them hidden/invisible in the first place.
- If the file/directory name begins with a
., then you can only temporarily unhide it by configuring Finder (see post #2 or use the following keyboard shortcut in Finder:shift+command/alt+.. - If the file has the Unix file flag
hidden, then it can be removed by callingchflags nohidden <file>in Terminal. - If the file has an Apple-specific file attribute, you can remove that with
setfile -a v <file>(note the lowercasev).
An extremely simple workaround if you only have the occasional maverick hidden file:
use the above command-shift-dot to show greyed file,
open it, select all, copy all, command n for new file, paste all into new document, save as original file name, say yes to replace.
Voila. I don't like terminal.
use the above command-shift-dot to show greyed file,
open it, select all, copy all, command n for new file, paste all into new document, save as original file name, say yes to replace.
Voila. I don't like terminal.