How do I show hidden files on Lion?

HI Tony,

Thats an interesting post there... But how do i save the script as an app?

I tried automator. but it says syntax error. I've added screenshots, please let me know wat i've did wrong.

Thanks.

Hi Sictransit,

I was really bugged when i did not find front row on LION as well.... It is very sad to see Apple scrapping it out...

But hey, not a problem, U can get it back...

Here is the link to a website, that will help u do it...

http://9to5mac.com/2011/07/19/os-x-lion-kills-front-row-heres-how-to-get-it-back /

Cheers!!!

Just hold down the option(alt) key while klicking the Go button on the menubar and then choose Library 🙂
(I'm guessing its hidden program files you'r after)

I posted a quick way using the methods explained above to show and hide files in Finder.

http://madproject.com/general/show-hidden-files-on-mac-osx/

billearl wrote:

Another AppleScript to toggle hidden files visibility (best saved as an app):

try

set visSet to (do shell script "defaults read com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles") as integer as boolean

on error

set visSet to false-- default setting

end try

do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool " & (not visSet) as text

tell application "Finder" to quit

delay 1

do shell script "open /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app"

This worked great for me but I also added this

if visSet = false then

say "VISIBLE"

else

say "HIDDEN"

end if

Just to let you know what view state that you're in

This is a complete joke, if you ask me. Finder has no option to view hidden files without mucking around in the terminal? Maybe another reason to buy TotalFinder or something else.

molecule-eye wrote:

This is a complete joke, if you ask me. Finder has no option to view hidden files without mucking around in the terminal? Maybe another reason to buy TotalFinder or something else.

We already posted an Applescript for the "Terminal Adverse"

And if you want to open a hidden file in, for example, TextEdit, just File->Open and hold ⌘⇧. (Command-Shift-Period)

It's still lame even with the script. Consider the usage case of most people. They hide some folders/files and would like to access them *sometimes*. Running a script every time to hide/unhide is a serious pain. What's worse, the only file managers I've found that do this you have to fork out a not insignificant amount of change (TotalFinder and Path Finder) when this feature is free on every other desktop environment I've used (KDE, Gnome, Windows, Openbox...)

Consider the usage case of most people. They hide some folders/files....

Most people don't hide folders/files.

...and would like to access them *sometimes*. Running a script every time to hide/unhide is a serious pain.

I already told you, use ⌘⇧. (Command-Shift-Period)

"I already told you, use ⌘⇧. (Command-Shift-Period)"

Well, I may not which application to launch in advance, so this is still a pain.

How many different file types do you have hidden, and why? It's not secure, as you can see that it's very easy to find hidden files. If you're looking for security, use encrypted disk images (yeah, a "pain").

Why do I have lots of different file types hidden? Odd question, but if you must know, there are hidden .doc, .jpg, .odt, .xls, .tex, .pdf, and the list goes on. Why? So that people that might look at or use my computer for a moment *while I'm around*, say showing them something in a folder, don't see the hidden files/folders. They're hidden as a *very low* security measure. They're not important enough to encrypt, and as you note, encrypting/decrypting is a pain for such low security purposes.

I've never seen anyone so adamant in defending the lack of an almost universally had feature of any file manager I've ever used. But nice try.

Based on your description of why you do it, just put them in a folder that you don't leave open. That would be a whole lot easier in any file manager or operating system than hiding or unhiding the files/folders. You can open a file and close the folder by holding down the option key when you double-click.

Again, that would work if they weren't in folders I needed to open to show people things in, such as my cloud syncing folder that doesn't support symlinks. If it supported symlinks I could just put the folder anywhere and symlink it to the sync folder and hide the symlink, but I sadly I don't have this luxury.

Your only hope is a 3rd party App