Hiding/Unhiding Folders & Files

[tommyburns13]

Does anyone know of a way to hide/unhide files without having to access the terminal?

 

[Partron22]

Shell scripting in AppleScript will do the job.
Like this:

set buttonpressed to button returned of (display dialog "Show Hidden Files?" buttons {"Yes", "No"})

try
	if the buttonpressed is "No" then do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles OFF"
	if the buttonpressed is "Yes" then do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles ON"
	do shell script "killall Finder"
end try

If you want to limit the effect to one file or folder only, you could shellscript the addition or elimination of a leading '.' from a single filename.

 

[Julien]

....also if you are just looking for the Library folder just hold down the option key and select the Go menu.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Does anyone know of a way to hide/unhide files without having to access the terminal?

Most of the well known utilities, (Tinkertool, Cocktail, Onyx, MacPilot mavericks Cache Cleaner) have an option to show invisible files.

But if you do it often, Funter is the best...and put it in your startup items.

 

[Felasco]

Does anyone know of a way to hide/unhide files without having to access the terminal?

Here you go:

http://www.altomac.com/hide_folders/

What is Hide Folders?

Hide Folders is a freeware app for Mac OS X dedicated to protect documents and folders. With a click, conceals files and folders with all their contents. The application is simple and natural to use because it works just as you are used to do things everyday with your Mac. With this app you will protect your files avoiding them to be being modified, seen or erased by other users.

 

[tommyburns13]

Is there a command to just hide individual files or folders?

 

[Mike Boreham]

Is there a command to just hide individual files or folders?

I assume you are replying to my recommendation for Funter, since it is obvious Hide Folders hides individual items.

Funter is simply a switch which makes all invisible files visible or invisible.

Secret Folder is another like Hide Folder

 

[tommyburns13]

I assume you are replying to my recommendation for Funter, since it is obvious Hide Folders hides individual items.

Funter is simply a switch which makes all invisible files visible or invisible.

Secret Folder is another like Hide Folder

Secret Folder looks like a good simple piece of software to use. I will look into this.

One further question, i have moved a hidden file over from a different HDD, with a can make visible using the terminal commands etc, but how do I make this permanently visable and not in a 'hidden' state?

 

[Mike Boreham]

One further question, i have moved a hidden file over from a different HDD, with a can make visible using the terminal commands etc, but how do I make this permanently visable and not in a 'hidden' state?

I am sure you can do it with a Terminal command but I will let someone else give you the exact syntax....or Secret Folder will do it. You will have to drag it to Secret Folder, which will then give the option to make it visible or invisible.

Note "dragging it into Secret Folder" is not moving the file from it's location, but bringing it under the control of Secret Folder in its present location.

 

[Felasco]

You can also password protect a folder using Disk Utility if you wish.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1578

http://www.wikihow.com/Password-Protect-Files-on-a-Mac

 

[Mike Boreham]

You can also password protect a folder using Disk Utility if you wish.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1578

http://www.wikihow.com/Password-Protect-Files-on-a-Mac

Yes indeed, and this is much more secure than the hiding/invisible methods which don't protect at all.

All depends on the requirement.