can't be replaced because it's invisible

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2008Convert Author

Level 1

27 points

can't be replaced because it's invisible

I have my iMac and MacBook Pro both visible in Finder on my network. I want's to copy Adobe settings from one Library folder to the other. When I try to copy and paste, I get the error popup "The item 'XYZ.xxx"' can't be replaced because it's invisible." XYZ.xxx is the name of the file. I have admin read and write privileges in both folders. I can copy the files to the Desktop, but I get the same error then copying from the Desktop to the Library subfolder. I have tried the Terminal command "chflags nohidden", but nothing changed.

I am using Catalina 10.15.6 on both machines. These are not and should bot be hidden files.

Posted on Sep 13, 2020 4:07 PM

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Answer 1

2008Convert Author

Level 1

27 points

Sep 14, 2020 12:09 PM in response to 2008Convert

I found a workaround, although it does not make sense. Rather than copy the files, I renamed the folder I wanted to copy into "old". I then copied the folder from my iMac to a USB key and then copied the folder from one to the other.

I still do not understand the invisible thing regarding the files. Photoshop has a way to migrate settings. Everything will migrate except the Workspaces, even though the program says it did.

Thank you all for your input.

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Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

203,235 points

Sep 13, 2020 5:09 PM in response to 2008Convert

2008Convert Said:

"can't be replaced because it's invisible: I have my iMac and MacBook Pro both visible in Finder on my network. I want's to copy Adobe settings from one Library folder to the other.[...]"

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To Make it Easy:

Create a Backup and then Import these:

First, create a Time Machine Backup of the Mac you are trying to transfer these from. Use an external hard drive that is at least 1.5 times the total storage capacity of the internal drive.
Then, use Migration Assistant to import these from the backup you just created in step one to this Mac you are trying to import these to.

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Answer 3

Sep 14, 2020 12:14 AM in response to 2008Convert

I had not seen this before.

Being invisible should not prevent the copying.

Can you delete the file that you want to replace and then copy the other one over?

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Answer 4

TheLittles

Level 10

203,235 points

Sep 13, 2020 8:03 PM in response to 2008Convert

2008Convert Said:

“I could not get the MacBook to find the Time Machine on my iMac. That said, it does not explain ‘invisible’.”

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Do This:

You need to create a Time Machine Backup (of the Mac contains these images) on an external Hard Drive
Then plug in the external Hard Drive into the Mac
Then, import it all using the Migration Assistant to import it all.

Mount the Disk in Disk Utility:

More than likely your next step would be to go into Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities) and mount the Hard Drive. See if it can then be seen.

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