How do I show hidden files on Lion?

Remember the KISS principle.

Use the old GO command

The Go To Folder command, in the Finder’s Go menu (also accessible by pressing Shift+Command+G), is the way to access invisible folders.Type ~/Libraryand click Go

Bingo!! Simple solution!! Worked like a charm, you can also see hidden files on attached volumes! Very useful for backing up the Library folder.

scott

I just wrote a quick tool that lives in the status bar that shows/hides hidden files; it's lightweight, too! Two clicks is all that's needed.

(and open source so anyone can play with it)

On GitHub

Download (from GitHub)

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 one is the best! Would rather diy something this simple than download one of the many scripts on the net.

@ all those dissing scripts and automator: It's a good skill to learn, too. A "3rd party app" is not "your only hope."

Lion Tweaks is a free easy to use utility that I have in my apps. It is in my Utilities Folder. Do a Google search. Very easy to use. It restores a few of the things that Lion took away.

This solved my problem. Thanks.