"private" folder in Macintosh HD

[devburke]

So my HD failed, and I restored from Time Machine with a new HD. Since then, there's a new folder at the base of the HD called "private". I figured maybe it used to be hidden, but my old backups don't have private folder, even a hidden one. Should I use Terminal to add a period and make it invisible? Is it safe to trash (probably not)?

Thanks!

 

[Darth.Titan]

The /private directory is indeed supposed to be hidden, but don't just tack a . to the beginning as that might break some paths the system needs. In Terminal type

sudo chflags hidden /private

and enter your admin pass when requested. That should take care of it.