Mike Oscar
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: 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

by SiHancox,Solvedanswer
SiHancox SiHancox
Level 2 (248 points)
Mac OS X
A:

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.

Posted on Feb 11, 2015 7:06 AM

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Mike Oscar

Q: How Do I Make a Complete Search Of My Mac

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  • Helpful answers

  • by arthur,Helpful

    arthur arthur Feb 11, 2015 3:37 AM in response to Mike Oscar
    Level 5 (5,193 points)
    iBooks
    Feb 11, 2015 3:37 AM in response to Mike Oscar

    Spotlight is designed to not show System files.

    You can use a Finder window's search function to do a more complete search. See OS X: How to include system files in Finder search results - Apple Support

    There are some alternatives that are easier to use, like EasyFind: http://www.devontechnologies.com/download/products.html

  • by Drew Reece,Helpful

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Feb 11, 2015 3:52 AM in response to Mike Oscar
    Level 5 (7,793 points)
    Notebooks
    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.

  • by SiHancox,Solvedanswer

    SiHancox SiHancox Feb 11, 2015 7:06 AM in response to Mike Oscar
    Level 2 (248 points)
    Mac OS X
    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.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Feb 11, 2015 5:17 PM in response to Mike Oscar
    Level 9 (74,005 points)
    iTunes
    Feb 11, 2015 5:17 PM in response to Mike Oscar

    See if you can find the file(s) using this program. If you go Finder/View/Show Path Bar, it will show you where it is located.

     

    EasyFind – Spotlight Replacement


  • by Mike Oscar,

    Mike Oscar Mike Oscar Feb 12, 2015 4:12 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 12, 2015 4:12 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thank you one and all: Arthur, Drew Reece, SiHancox, and Eric Root.  Thank you for your time and your care.  I've read all the messages and followed all the links. All very helpful and very much appreciated. 

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Feb 12, 2015 9:01 PM in response to Mike Oscar
    Level 5 (7,793 points)
    Notebooks
    Feb 12, 2015 9:01 PM in response to Mike Oscar

    No problem, good luck with the new OS  & iMac

     

  • by SiHancox,

    SiHancox SiHancox Feb 13, 2015 7:36 AM in response to Mike Oscar
    Level 2 (248 points)
    Mac OS X
    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.