trying to unhide a folder i hid

[hogigagi]

i'm trying to unhide a folder i hid some years ago (with the "chflags" thing), i tried doing it through Terminal, but i don't remember the path. is this possible? if so how? Using Sierra 10.12.6

Thanks

 

[DeltaMac]

Unhide the folder (along with any other hidden folders and files) by pressing Shift-Command-(period)
Type your command in the terminal to unhide the folder permanently
The correct command is

chflags nohidden

type a space after that command, then drag the folder you need to unhide into the terminal window -- and, there's your path!
Press enter, and that folder now will remain visible.
press Shift-command-(period) again to toggle your other normally-hidden files back into hiding.

(Maybe you don't really need to unhide that folder when you know the trick to doing that just by typing the keyboard shortcut, eh?)

 

[hogigagi]

Thanks! but, how can i drag a hidden folder if i don't see it? I'm also not sure of its name or where it was saved unfortunately. isn't there a way to see at least the file names that i've hidden in the past?

 

[NoBoMac]

Quick and dirty way to find the hidden folder, go into any program/app that has a "save", "Save as" function. When the dialog box for saving comes up, execute this key press: Command+Shift+.

You will now see the hidden files/folders. You can then navigate around to see if it turns up.

Or from a Terminal window: find . -type d -flags +hidden

This will list all directories/folders under the current folder that has the hidden flag set. If shows up, "cd" to that folder, then should be able to do "chflags nohidden ."

 

[DeltaMac]

Thanks! but, how can i drag a hidden folder if i don't see it? I'm also not sure of its name or where it was saved unfortunately. isn't there a way to see at least the file names that i've hidden in the past?

Didn't you try the simple keyboard shortcut that I mentioned in my post? Try it, it works instantly, without need to go into the terminal:
Shift-Command-. (period)
All hidden files and folders are then visible, including external drives.
That keyboard command has not been available until the last couple of system versions, so most folks don't realize it's now that quick and easy.

 

[Fishrrman]

MacConfucious say:
"User that hides folder may discover folder likes being hid!"

Here's how to unhide and move that folder as you desire:

1. Download Pathfinder from here:
https://cocoatech.com/#/

2. Launch Pathfinder, click "buy later" (it should work for now, long enough to do what you need to do)

3. Look at the "View" menu for an option "Show invisible files". Choose that if it's not already chosen.

4. ALL normally-invisible files and folders should now be visible. Can you see the folder you're looking for? Pathfinder also has a search feature (up top). Try it if necessary.

5. When you find the folder, click on it one time to select it.

6. Now, go to the file menu and look for "Attributes". There should be a toggle choice there for "invisible". Try it.

7. Does the folder now become visible? To be sure, go back to Step 3 above and choose to NOT show Invisible Files

8. If this works, you should now be able to quit Pathfinder and manipulate the folder "normally" using the finder.

 

[hogigagi]

First of all - thank you very much! but, the more i search for it, i'm afraid i might have forgotten the folder's name or location. isn't there a way to just see a list of my hidden files somehow?

 

[DeltaMac]

Spotlight should find the file for you, invisible or not. Of course, the file would not be invisible, only the enclosing folder.

You can certainly search for any file by name, and when you find the file, you should also know where the file is located (the name of the enclosing folder will be simple to see at that time)

 

[cynics]

First of all - thank you very much! but, the more i search for it, i'm afraid i might have forgotten the folder's name or location. isn't there a way to just see a list of my hidden files somehow?

There might be a LS command not sure...

Personally I (and because I dont know another way) is just to go into finder, press CMD + Shift + . to show hidden files/folders. I don't know how many files/folders you are dealing with but hidden folders are dim so they are easy to spot. You can press CMD + Shift + . again to hide files and folders, if you alternate something may pop out.

 

[TiggrToo]

Most of this should still be accurate:

https://ianlunn.co.uk/articles/quickly-showhide-hidden-files-mac-os-x-mavericks/