I have a hidden folder on an external drive whose name is ".hd" and I am trying to determine if it is OK to delete it. I don't know what app created it. Is there a way to determine what app created it and whether it is OK to delete?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Unknown Folder
Mac mini, macOS 26.0
Control (right) click on the folder and select Get Info.
If the folder is empty, feel free to delete it. Otherwise, I'd leave it alone.
An empty folder takes up no space in your storage.
There are very many hidden files stored within the Mac's OS. They are created by any number of OS and application processes. They are hidden for a reason.
Don't sweat the small stuff. Use your Mac to it's potential.
❝Worry is misuse of imagination.❞ - Zadra
Is there a way to determine what app created it and whether it is
What files/folder names are in the folder? My guess would be something associated with HP, maybe a printer. Did you ever install any HP printer software? Maybe it is the scan destination given it is taking up 100's of GB.
Thanks for your comment D.I. Johnson. I would normally agree with leaving these files alone but they are beginning to take up 100's of GB of space. Seems excessive. At least I want to find out, if I can, what app is creating them.
worx25 wrote:
In the example folder: 6 sub-folders
.adobe
.cups
.fontconfig
.fonts
.hd
.webex
Yes, I have an HP printer but it cannot scan: only prints
Sorry, I thought it said .hp, not .hd. There is a cups folder in the user home folder.
What's in the .hd subfolder?
No indication in the Get Info window as to what app this folder is associated with.
In the example folder: 6 sub-folders
.adobe
.cups
.fontconfig
.fonts
.hd
.webex
Yes, I have an HP printer but it cannot scan: only prints
How to identify and delete an unknown hidden folder on an external drive?
