Finder will not find preference files, etc.

Question

Finder will not find preference files, etc.

When I use Finder to search for particular files, it quite often does not find them — this is particularly true for preference files such as .ini ones — whereas the 3rd party application 'EasyFind' does find them. But I should like to be able to use the Mac's own finder.

I am confused about the right settings in Finder preferences. My computer's name is 'Michael's Mac mini'. My home folder is called 'MichaelGraubart'. My hard disk is (unsurprisingly) called 'Macintosh HD'. For the most comprehensive searches, to which of these three should I set Finder/Preferences/General?

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Jan 6, 2014 8:22 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

207,463 points

Jan 6, 2014 11:30 AM in response to Michael Graubart

Every since Lion the User/Library has been invisible and off limits for Spotlight. That's why I use Find Any File for many of my searches that require looking into my library or the system folders.

You can send a feature request to Apple via http://www.apple.com/feedback/

OT

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Answer 2

Jan 6, 2014 12:31 PM in response to Old Toad

Go to Terminal.

type

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter.

Relaunch the finder and ALL Files will now be visible.

Subsequetly, to reverse this and make files hidden again.

Type

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles NO

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Answer 3

Jan 6, 2014 12:54 PM in response to Event Video Guy

Thank you very much, both of you. But could I repeat the second part of my question?

'I am confused about the right settings in Finder preferences. My computer's name is 'Michael's Mac mini'. My home folder is called 'MichaelGraubart'. My hard disk is (unsurprisingly) called 'Macintosh HD'. For the most comprehensive searches, to which of these three should I set Finder/Preferences/General?'

Thanks in anticipation of further answers.

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Answer 4

Jan 6, 2014 1:08 PM in response to Michael Graubart

PS: I have just used that 'YES' Terminal command. Finder still does not find .ini and similar preference files, I am afraid.

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Answer 5

Old Toad

Level 10

207,463 points

Jan 6, 2014 2:18 PM in response to Michael Graubart

Macintosh HD would be the widest search. But as I said previously you won't be able to search the system for home library folders with Spotlight. Give Fine Any File a try. I've tried Easy Find and think FAF is faster and has a better serach results layout.

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Answer 6

Jan 7, 2014 1:59 AM in response to Old Toad

FAF is brilliant! Thank you very much. And thank you, too, for the 'Mac HD' information.

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