Show Hidden Windows files on a Mac

Question

Level 1

19 points

Show Hidden Windows files on a Mac

Hi,

I have a folder that I have copied from Windows XP to Mac. The files in the folder were hidden when I copied on the mac. I can see the folder but cannot see the files in the folder. How do I see these files on my mac? It is frustrating as I have a few important files in that folder that I cannot view on my mac. Help please!!!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Aug 16, 2010 3:45 PM

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Answer 1

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Aug 16, 2010 4:12 PM in response to nigamm

A couple of ways. One is to copy this script into the AppleScript Editor window and run it. It'll toggle hidden stuff on and off:

if (do shell script "defaults read com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles") is equal to "0" then
do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles 1"
else
do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles 0"
end if
do shell script "killall Finder"

Another, is to use the chflags command to turn off the invisiblity flag. See http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11788354 for starters.

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Answer 2

nigamm Author

Level 1

19 points

Aug 16, 2010 4:32 PM in response to baltwo

Hi, I tried to paste it but it gives me the following error:

error "2010-08-17 11:34:18.740 defaults[992:60f]
The domain/default pair of (com.apple.finder, AppleShowAllFiles) does not exist" number 1

Help please...

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Answer 3

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Aug 16, 2010 5:32 PM in response to nigamm

OK. I set this up so long ago that I forgot that's not a normal setting in the com.apple.finder.plist file. Do this in the Terminal app first:

*defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles 1*

Quit the Terminal app. Now all hidden things should be visible. Then, run the script and it'll toggle.

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Answer 4

nigamm Author

Level 1

19 points

Aug 17, 2010 6:07 PM in response to baltwo

U r a genius!! Thanks a lot....

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Answer 5

Aug 17, 2010 6:21 PM in response to nigamm

onyx and Mainmenu can also do this.

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Answer 6

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Aug 17, 2010 6:39 PM in response to michaelmckeever9

Why bother, when you can do it yourself and know exactly what's going on? The only tool I use is TinkerTool, but I do know most of those hidden default settings. See http://secrets.blacktree.com/ and download the prefPane. It covers most default settings.

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Answer 7

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Aug 17, 2010 6:40 PM in response to nigamm

"Thanks for the feedback.

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