How Do I Make a Complete Search Of My Mac

I have a new iMac with the latest version of Yosemeti. I am in the process of transferring every thing from my old MacPro to my new iMac. I occasionally need to make searches of my iMac (particularly including the Library folders) to ensure something is present. How do I do that?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1), FCP Studio, Logic Pro 8, Aperture

Posted on Feb 11, 2015 3:13 AM

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7 replies

Feb 11, 2015 3:52 AM in response to Mike Oscar

If you want simple access to the Library within your home folder you can 'unhide it'.

Select your home folder in a Finder window & open 'View > Show View options'. In the panel Check the 'Show Library folder' checkbox. The checkbox won't be available unless the home folder or an item within it is selected.


Holding alt whilst viewing the Finders Go menu also reveals a shortcut to the hidden user library too.

Feb 11, 2015 7:06 AM in response to Mike Oscar

Not sure if this will help but Finder Search in Yosemite works slightly differently from that in my Snow Leopard which if not done right ends up displaying a blank.


First off make sure you have highlighted the area you wish to search in the side bar, it normally defaults to your Home folder so for system you need to highlight "Macintosh HD". Enter the file or fold name you wish to search for in the Search Box, this should give you a drop-down showing the same name - select it. Next click "+" to show two more options, for "kind" click and at the bottom chose "system files" and then next to it change "aren't include" to "are included". If you don't have "system files" as an option chose "other" and scroll the attribute list and tick it - select ok and you should then have it available.


If all went well you should see your file/folder name displayed in the window, click on it will the show its path along the bottom so you can navigate to its location.


Have seen various reports that Finder Search can be broken by updates and re-indexing may help but try the above remembering to select search location first in the side bar.

Feb 13, 2015 7:36 AM in response to Mike Oscar

One thing I have discovered is that search does not show all file types that are in system directory, not sure what the reason is or even if Apple have not intentionally made it so to protect certain "important" ones. Never the less the main reason I use search is to find files that programs place all over the place when I finally finish with them and decide to "fully" uninstall - for that it's been quite successful.

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How Do I Make a Complete Search Of My Mac

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