Multiple "com.apple.finder.plist" Found - FIX?

Question

Level 2

418 points

Multiple "com.apple.finder.plist" Found - FIX?

In looking into my User>Library>Preferences Folder …. I see a multiple of "com.apple.finder.plist" files. Many of the "com.apple.finder.plist" files have numerals and letters after the ".plist" … and are all simply showing the file description as "document" …. and not as "TextWrangler Text document" as all my other preference documents are. (see attached screen grab of what my Preferences Folder)

I would think there is something wrong here with the "com.apple.finder.plist" files in my HD, although I don't really see any issues pertaining to finder performance.

Should I delete and trash the "com.apple.finder.plist" files that all have the numerals and letters after the ".plist" file name …. and just keep the "com.apple.finder.plist" file that is normal looking, and indicated as a TextWrangler Text document?

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), Apple TV, iPhone 4S

Posted on Sep 13, 2015 8:10 PM

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Answer 1

Eric Root

Level 10

684,615 points

Sep 14, 2015 8:34 AM in response to DavidMac

I see the same .plists and since your computer is operating normally, I would just leave them.

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Answer 2

DavidMac Author

Level 2

418 points

Sep 14, 2015 9:28 AM in response to Eric Root

What's even more strange, is that when you attempt to open any of the multiple "plist's" marked "document" ….. they all require you to choose an application to open them (versus already having been assigned an application), and then, when choosing a "text reader" (like Apple Text Edit App) …. the "Plist" documents all show a BLANK window. No text, no code, NOTHING! This, versus the other "plists" which are openable in either "Text Edit", or "TextWrangler", and show a full window of code text in them.

If all the "com.apple.finder.plist (with the numerals and letters), are blank …… then what purpose do they serve, and why not a case for deleting and trashing these empty "plist" documents?

(See attached screen grabs)

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Answer 3

Sep 14, 2015 1:36 PM in response to DavidMac

A .plist file that has the addition info usually indicates that it's a temporary file. Usually these are removed when you quit the app.

I think it would be safe to delete these additional com.apple.finder.plists.

I suggest for good measure you run the repair for "Reset Home Directory Permissions and ACLs" in Recovery Drive.

Boot into the Recovery Drive by holding down Command R when restarting.

In the menu bar, select Utilities -> Terminal. Type resetpassword in the Terminal and press Enter.

1 Select your main hard drive.

2 In the dropdown box under "Select the user account" make sure to select your username.

3 Select the option: "Reset Home Directory Permissions and ACLs", click the Reset button. It's not obvious when it's complete.

4 Quit the Reset Password application.

5 Quit the Terminal.

I suggest you run Repair Disk in Disk Utility to verify your drive while booted in recovery.

To Restart: Click Mac OS X Installer in the top left and click Quit Mac OS X Installer. Click the Startup Disk button. Click on your main hard drive and click the Restart button.

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Answer 4

peru9800

Level 1

4 points

Nov 1, 2015 7:39 AM in response to DavidMac

Hi David - Did you do resolve the multiple "plist" issue and, if so, how? Did you just delete them, use the procedure Diane suggested, or something else?

Thank you

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