Hidden files are automatically copied?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Hidden files are automatically copied?

I had a MacBook Pro - 15", and El Capitan OS is installed on that, almost 1.5 months ago I purchased new MacBook Pro - 13" - 2020 - Big Sur OS and I transferred my data from OLD machine to NEW machine.

Few sub folders are hidden in my main folders but I forgot to unhide and I started copy from OLD machine to NEW machine, and one I was done I shut OFF my OLD machine and started playing with NEW machine, after few days I need some confidential data from hidden sub folders but it was not in both machine (NEW & OLD).

So, please guide me what should I have to do now? I need my hidden files data as well.

I will really appreciate if you experts will assist me in this.

Thanking in anticipation.

MacBook Pro, OS X 10.11

Posted on Dec 31, 2020 5:33 AM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

195,479 points

Jan 1, 2021 12:50 AM in response to yaziii

yaziii Said:

"Hidden files are automatically copied: [...]Few subfilders are hidden in my main folders, but I forgot to unhide them and I started to copy from OLD machine to NEW machine[...]“

———-

Try the Following:

Yes. Everything would have copied - hidden folders and all. So, to access them...

First, Unhide the Files and Folders:

Create a new folder on your Desktop. Then, open the folder and press these three keys simultaneously:

command-shift-period

Next, Access the Files and Folders:

With hidden files and folders now accessible, use Spotlight Search to find them...

Hold Down: command Button + Press Spacebar
Type: an item’s name
Open: the item

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Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

195,479 points

Jan 1, 2021 2:14 AM in response to yaziii

yaziii Said:

“I did what ever you asked me to do but it didn't work. Let me explain in detail that I hide my folders using command in Terminal "chflags hidden /location" and then I used this commands to hide and unhide "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES/NO". But I can't have my files :(. So please guide me what should I have to do now?”

———-

Add the Hard Drive(s) to your Spotlight Search and Rebuild the Spotlight Index:

Use these links...

It should then be searchable.

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Answer 3

TheLittles

Level 10

195,479 points

Jan 2, 2021 8:52 AM in response to yaziii

yaziii Said:

”[...]Every time when I opened that xxx.dmg I want to insert password before that I unhide that folder using Terminal and then I can access all my files.[...]”

———-

How to Get a Password:

See if this works for you. Either:

Encrypt the file using Windows(easiest) - Seems you’d have to use (a) a Virtual Machine on your Mac or (b) external hard drive that is Mac and PC compatible
Create a disk image containing the DMG file, and then encrypt the Disk image.

Source:

Encrypt ZIP Files: How to Password Protect Your ZIP Files - IONOS

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Answer 4

TheLittles

Level 10

195,479 points

Jan 3, 2021 9:53 AM in response to yaziii

yaziii Said:

"[...]while copying I didn't unhide my folder.dmg and after everything copied on my external HDD and transferred into my new MacBook Pro 2020.[...]"

-------

Six Thoughts:

A. Unhide & Search:

Best I can say is to unhide all of your folders, and then Spotlight Search. Important: Hide once searching is complete:

Unhide Files and Folders: enter this command in Terminal: chflags hidden
Search for it: Using Spotlight Search
Hide Files and Folders: enter this command in Terminal: chflags nohidden
Drag: The item into Terminal to view the path.

B. Copy from Original Mac:

Do you have access to the original path? If so, it would be in the same location as to where you copied it from. So, do you have access to that device? If so, jet get it off of that. Simple enough.

C. How was it Hidden?

How *** this hidden? If it was hidden using a Third-Party app, then you might need the install that app on this other Mac

D. Run Disk Utility:

Open Disk Utility: Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Mount the Drive: See if you need to Mount it. Click "Mount" button, if it reads "Mount".
Use First Aid: Then, select the Hard Drive, and click Fist Aid button. What First Aid does is verfies if there are any issues with the Drive, and fixes it, if need be and possible.

E. New Administrator:

What happens when you try a new administrator? Does is it seen/accessible?

F. Other Mac:

What happens when you try all of the above this on another Mac? Is it seen/accessible?

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Answer 5

yaziii Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 31, 2020 11:18 PM in response to yaziii

yaziii wrote:

I had a MacBook Pro - 15", and El Capitan OS is installed on that, almost 1.5 months ago I purchased new MacBook Pro - 13" - 2020 - Big Sur OS and I transferred my data from OLD machine to NEW machine.

Few sub folders are hidden in my main folders but I forgot to unhide and I started copy from OLD machine to NEW machine, and one I was done I shut OFF my OLD machine and started playing with NEW machine, after few days I need some confidential data from hidden sub folders but it was not in both machine (NEW & OLD).

So, please guide me what should I have to do now? I need my hidden files data as well.

I will really appreciate if you experts will assist me in this.

Thanking in anticipation.

I am waiting for the reply from a big community of APPLE.

Reply

Answer 6

yaziii Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 1, 2021 1:43 AM in response to TheLittles

I did what ever you asked me to do but it didn't work.

Let me explain in detail that I hide my folders using command in Terminal "chflags hidden /location" and then I used this commands to hide and unhide "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES/NO".

But I can't have my files :(.

So please guide me what should I have to do now? TheLittles’s Profile - Apple Community

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Answer 7

yaziii Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 2, 2021 1:19 AM in response to TheLittles

I did all the steps whatever you asked me to do but nothing happened :(

Actually one more thing I want to share that I made an image using DISK UTILITY and from there I made a blank image and gave some memory and created and after that I saved my confidential credentials in that and locked them using password and that folder works like an .dmg and after that I hide that folder.

Every time when I opened that xxx.dmg I want to insert password before that I unhide that folder using Terminal and then I can access all my files.

I hope this information will lead me somewhere.

Waiting for your response anxiously. TheLittles’s Profile - Apple Community

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Answer 8

yaziii Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 3, 2021 9:22 AM in response to TheLittles

You are really doing a great job, but actually I think I didn't explain my query very well.

Let me try once again.

1) I created disk image of 1 GB and after created of disk image I store my docx files in that.

2) I also created password on that disk image.

3) Then I hide that disk image.

So long story short that I created folder.dmg and then put all my stuff in that folder.dmg and also protected it with password and hide that folder.dmg. Folder.dmg is in my D:/ drive and in D:/ drive I have movies, pictures, softwares and many more, so I copied that whole D:/ drive on my external HDD and while copying I didn't unhide my folder.dmg and after everything copied on my external HDD and transferred into my new MacBook Pro 2020.

Now tell me where is that folder.dmg?

Please: TheLittles’s Profile - Apple Community

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Answer 9

yaziii Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 3, 2021 10:38 PM in response to TheLittles

A. I had four folders.dmg from which I have only one which I can see rest I can’t see.

B. Actually I forgot about the path and even the name of that folders except one folder.dmg

C. No, I hide my folder.dmg using chflags hidden and then use this command defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

D. I can see only one drive which is known to me and after mount that folder.dmg I can see that.

E. I didn’t do in the new machine, but I will check in my old machine to make a new administrator and then let you know.

F. Except one option which is that to make a new administrator, I will try that and let you know.

Please: TheLittles’s Profile - Apple Community

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