A hidden folder called '.lesshsQ' has appeared in my home directory and I can't remove it

Some Googling has thrown up results for .lesshsT and .lesshs in general as an extension, but why has this appeared out of nowhere and why can't I remove it?


MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.5

Posted on Sep 8, 2021 10:41 AM

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6 replies

Sep 8, 2021 12:18 PM in response to Chargw_

Command-Shift-Period is a toggle, and will make hidden files hidden again within Finder.


Issues and all, dot files and dot directories are common on macOS and other Unix systems.


I’d tend to expect this directory can be deleted, so there’s probably something blocking that deletion here.


To show the protection settings:

ls -aled@ ~/.lesshsQ


If you’ve visited that directory in Finder, it can have a Finder-added dot file (.DS_Store) present, too.

Sep 8, 2021 11:32 AM in response to etresoft

Any idea why that would be there considering I'd never heard of the less command before?


I do occasionally use Terminal for low level tasks (putting it generously) and have in the past out of boredom/interest in macOS used google to check out the various commands that one can use - so that's one explanation.


Would any of that explain its appearance as a hidden file there and do I have any reason to be alarmed?


Thanks

Sep 8, 2021 12:12 PM in response to Chargw_

Chargw_ wrote:

Some Googling has thrown up results for .lesshsT and .lesshs in general as an extension, but why has this appeared out of nowhere and why can't I remove it?


https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/a1ddc771-4c23-4079-a3eb-0e082a2ee121


And how is the empty folder an issue for you?


You can always stop looking at hidden files as one way to solve your problem. I suspect there are many things in the hidden files you do not recognize...no (?)


They are hidden for a reason so you do not have to mess with them.

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A hidden folder called '.lesshsQ' has appeared in my home directory and I can't remove it

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