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How do I show hidden files on Lion?

This OS is really frustrating me, first I can't use Front Row and now I can't figure out how to show hidden files. 😟

Posted on Jul 23, 2011 3:57 PM

Reply
36 replies

Oct 31, 2011 11:45 PM in response to Lanny

I don't see this feature inside that software, it only have the show all hidden files. What i want is seeing some of them like my css js files which are hidden. I don't want to see all like .DS_Store. Finally i just want to develop web site and i believe that cs and js files are some of the most important, why hide them? But the solution can be to activate or deactivate by file extension which seem to be more natural if they want to hide some file like that and simpify the way to reactivate. Anyway they all ready do thing like open file base on they're extension.



Alain

Nov 3, 2011 9:18 AM in response to Lanny

Lanny wrote:


Tony T1 wrote:


FALSE

Entering, "defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE," followed by, "killall Finder" in Terminal, versus pressing a couple of buttons in TinkerTool, I think not. IMHO


Can also use an applescript saved as an App:


set answer to the button returned of (display dialog ("Finder Hidden Files:") buttons {"Show", "Hide", "Cancel"} with icon caution default button 3 with title "Finder Hidden Files")

if answer is "Show" then

tell application "Finder" to quit

do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles 1"


delay 2

tell application "Finder" to run

else

tell application "Finder" to quit

do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles 0"


delay 2

tell application "Finder" to run

end if

Nov 3, 2011 5:23 PM in response to Tony T1

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"

Nov 10, 2011 2:08 PM in response to Sictransit

To enable hidden files/folders in finder windows:

  1. Open Finder
  2. Open the Utilities folder
  3. Open a terminal window
  4. Copy and paste the following line in:
    1

    defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

  5. Press return
  6. Now hold ‘alt’ on the keyboard and right click on the Finder icon
  7. Click on Relaunch

You should find you will now be able to see any hidden files or folders. One you are done, perform the steps above however, replace the terminal command in step 4 with:


1

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles NO

How do I show hidden files on Lion?

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