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Utilities folder won't remember view option settings.

The Utilities folder won't remember view option settings even when I set them to default, after every reboot the settings are forgotten. anyone have a solution?

Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Nov 8, 2010 7:00 AM

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Posted on Nov 8, 2010 10:10 AM

Somnion wrote:
The Utilities folder won't remember view option settings even when I set them to default, after every reboot the settings are forgotten.


Welcome to Apple's discussion groups.

If you're willing to try a command in the Terminal utility, launch Terminal, then type this command and press the "return" key:

rm -i /Applications/Utilities/.DS_Store

You should be prompted about whether you really want to delete ("remove") that file. Verify that the correct file is mentioned, then press the letter "y" and the "return" key. Now see if things work any better. The first time you open the Utilities folder it will take a few seconds to populate while it reacquires the information that you deleted.
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Question marked as Best reply

Nov 8, 2010 10:10 AM in response to Somnion

Somnion wrote:
The Utilities folder won't remember view option settings even when I set them to default, after every reboot the settings are forgotten.


Welcome to Apple's discussion groups.

If you're willing to try a command in the Terminal utility, launch Terminal, then type this command and press the "return" key:

rm -i /Applications/Utilities/.DS_Store

You should be prompted about whether you really want to delete ("remove") that file. Verify that the correct file is mentioned, then press the letter "y" and the "return" key. Now see if things work any better. The first time you open the Utilities folder it will take a few seconds to populate while it reacquires the information that you deleted.

Nov 8, 2010 2:53 PM in response to William-Boyd-Jr

it doesn't seem to work I rebooted after deleting the ds_store and reapplied my settings, rebooted again and it still won't remember my settings. Here is something though, when I use that command again it says there is no such file or directory so maybe its forgetting my settings because it can't make that file. other folders remember my settings fine. any thoughts?

Nov 8, 2010 4:01 PM in response to Somnion

Somnion wrote:
it doesn't seem to work I rebooted after deleting the ds_store and reapplied my settings, rebooted again and it still won't remember my settings. Here is something though, when I use that command again it says there is no such file or directory


I saw the same thing.

so maybe its forgetting my settings because it can't make that file. other folders remember my settings fine.


I'll admit to grasping at straws here. From a Finder "Get Info" window, who is the owner of the Utilities folder compared to other folders where you can control the settings?

Nov 9, 2010 1:33 PM in response to Somnion

In versions of OS X before Snow Leopard, when you changed the view style of one folder, it only applied to that folder. Apple changed that with Snow Leopard by making the view style persistent, so that if you change the view style in one folder, you change it in every folder.

There’s still a way to get one folder to open in a different view style, though. First, navigate to the folder you want to apply the view style to. Then, change the view style to what you want for that folder. Now, go to View -> Show View Options and check the box next to *Always open in view style*

Nov 9, 2010 1:55 PM in response to leroydouglas

Apple changed that with Snow Leopard by making the view style persistent, so that if you change the view style in one folder, you change it in every folder.


Not so. Set a folder's view options, select Use as Defaults and all subsequently, previously unopened folders, inherit that view. All previously opened folders retain whatever view they had when last set.

Nov 27, 2011 7:19 AM in response to Somnion

I've always had exactly the same problem in Slow Leopard on my MacBookPro, but NOT on my MacMini (issued around same time, came with Snow Leopard installation CD).

Even the Genius bar people in the Bath AppleStore had a dig at it, and could not resolve the issue. Deleted .localized and .DS files but this did not help the problem. Repaired permissions, did away with all sorts of Cach (systems etc.), did system analysis etc but NOTHING helps. Very strange - it DOES remember the original view, I just need to tell it to use the 'Default setting' and all is back to how I wanted it. But restart and it has reverted to the 'original' default, upon which I can tell it to use my 'default setting' again (Alt-'Use as Default' button in View (command-J) becomes 'Revert to Default').

Not really a big problem just really annoying to have to do that every time.....

Apr 13, 2012 1:45 AM in response to Brian Dodds

The problem recently resolved itself - no idea how or why. Replacing .DS files or preference files did not help, but I do repair permissions regularly, do the daily, weekly & monthly repairs manually once in a while, and use TechTool Pro to ensure all is running smooothly. Sorry I cannot be of more help. My gut instinct, though, is that it is a problem that was copied over from a previous operating system, and that it will not happen if a Mac is set up with the newest OS from scratch....

I wish I had an explanation though - sorry!

Good luck

Utilities folder won't remember view option settings.

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