Is there a way to list all .DS_Store files for selective deletion?

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chiba1976 Author

Level 1

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Is there a way to list all .DS_Store files for selective deletion?

I routinely run VirusBarrier X6 antivirus software. Every time I do, it gets hung up on a single .DS_Store file for days on end, and I have no way to ascertain where the file is located. I understand that .DS_Store files are hidden and in every folder, so I was wondering if there was a way to list all of them via Spotlight or a Terminal command line. Whenever VirusBarrier has been hung up on a system file in the past, it's been freakishly large. I figured if I could list and sort all of the .DS_Store files, it might help me to pinpoint the one responsible for the hang-up. I know about the Terminal command to show all hidden files, but I do not know how to view them all together in a sortable list by size.

I am also aware of the Terminal command that deletes all .DS_Store files on your computer, but I've read that it may lead to catastrophic results. I'm not looking to cripple my computer over a virus software hang-up.

Thank you.

Mac Pro (Early 2008), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Mar 9, 2015 6:25 AM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Mar 9, 2015 6:36 AM in response to chiba1976

I'm not looking to cripple my computer over a virus software hang-up.

The computer is already crippled. Remove the Intego product, which is worse than useless and worse than the imaginary "viruses" would be if they really existed, which they don't, by following the instructions on this page. If you have a different version, the procedure may be different.

Back up all data before making any changes.

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Answer 2

chiba1976 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 9, 2015 6:47 AM in response to Linc Davis

I also run a virtual Windows 8 machine, so getting rid of antivirus software isn't going to happen. Although it hasn't picked up much in the past few years, it does occasionally find a trojan.

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,458 points

Mar 9, 2015 7:00 AM in response to chiba1976

Ditch the anti-virus software that is running in OS X. It has absolutely nothing to do with virus checking in Windows 8.1 in that virtual machine guest container. You need a separate anti-virus solution that runs in Windows 8 when it boots.

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Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Mar 9, 2015 7:14 AM in response to chiba1976

Again, "VirusBarrier" does absolutely nothing to protect you from any real threat. All it does is to slow down and destabilize the computer and waste your time, as it's doing now. If you intend to keep it, I have no other suggestions.

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