queenmab100

Q: How to find hidden folders using Finder

Really frustrated!  I want Finder to show hidden files and folders.  I've tried everything I could find in this forum and others to do so.  This is what I have tried (repeatedly):

 

Suggestion #1:

 

Finder>Go hold the option key

 

If you need to show it permanently

 

Open your Finder>Go> Home folder   then command J to see view options

 

pic.png

Then, relaunch Finder

Suggestions #2:

Show Hidden Files Mac OS X El Capitan:

 

  1. Click “Finder” icon on your Mac dock.
  2. Open Terminal. Terminal is a utility that provides access to the OS X El Capitan operating system. It can be opened in one of two following ways:
  3. Select “Applications” on the left side, then on “Utilities“, and double-click on “Terminal“
  4. Open the OS X El Capitan Launchpad. Click the “Utilities” folder. Then, double click on “Terminal.”
  5. Enter the following text into the Terminal window, then press “Enter“: “defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES”
  6. Exit the Terminal program. This can be done by selecting “Quit Terminal” from the Terminal menu.
  7. Restart Finder. Your new setting will take effect after you relaunch finder. To do so, hold down the “Alt” key and right-click or two-fingered click on the Finder icon. Select “Relaunch.”

 

Neither of these work for me.  :-(  Am using Macbook Air and El Capitan Version 10.11.4

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Jun 5, 2016 4:48 AM

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Q: How to find hidden folders using Finder

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  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Jun 5, 2016 5:05 AM in response to queenmab100
    Level 5 (6,246 points)
    Mac App Store
    Jun 5, 2016 5:05 AM in response to queenmab100

    Do not include the quotes.

    defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Jun 5, 2016 5:06 AM in response to queenmab100
    Level 9 (50,161 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 5, 2016 5:06 AM in response to queenmab100

    Which "hidden" folders are you trying to show?

    The "Show Library Folder" option in View Options merely shows the user Library. It doesn't show all hidden items in the file system.

     

    If trying to show the user Library, what part doesn't work?

    Can you find the setting?

    Can you check it?

    There is no need to relaunch the Finder.

  • by VikingOSX,

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Jun 5, 2016 5:14 AM in response to queenmab100
    Level 7 (20,904 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 5, 2016 5:14 AM in response to queenmab100

    You could make an AppleScript application that you place in your Dock, or even the Finder toolbar, and each time that you click it, hidden files/folders appear or disappear. If you decide to remove from the Finder window toolbar, then press the command key and click/drag the icon off. The following was tested on OS X 10.11.5.

     

    Launch your Script Editor (Launchpad : Other : Script Editor). Copy and paste the following (see below) AppleScript into the Script Editor. Click the compile button (hammer icon). Now run it (black triangle button) with an open Finder window on your home directory. You want to save the content twice:

    1. Save the source code that you have just pasted as Text
      1. File Format: Text (this adds an applescript extension to your filename
      2. Save in Documents or your location choice for safe keeping.
      3. No check boxes selected
    2. Save as an Application (option + File menu : Save As…)
      1. File Format: Application
      2. Location: /Applications
        1. Drag and drop from Applications to your Dock, or to the Finder window toolbar (short filename e.g. Nohide)
      3. Checkbox: Hide Extension
      4. Quit Script Editor

     

    AppleScript:

     

    -- Attribution to, and submitted by Baltwo on Apple Support Community

     

    try

        do shell script "defaults read com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles"

    on error

        do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles False"

    end try

     

    if (do shell script "defaults read com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles") is equal to "False" then

        do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles True"

    else

        do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles False"

    end if

     

    do shell script "killall Finder"

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 5, 2016 5:19 AM in response to queenmab100
    Level 9 (71,492 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 5, 2016 5:19 AM in response to queenmab100

    Try adding killall Finder to the end.

     

    defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -boolean true ; killall Finder

  • by queenmab100,

    queenmab100 queenmab100 Jun 5, 2016 8:08 PM in response to dialabrain
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 5, 2016 8:08 PM in response to dialabrain

    I did not include the quotes.

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Jun 5, 2016 10:48 PM in response to queenmab100
    Level 5 (6,246 points)
    Mac App Store
    Jun 5, 2016 10:48 PM in response to queenmab100

    I don't know why it didn't work then. It works for me once I relaunch the Finder. You could try creating a new user and see if it works there. Or restart in Safe Mode and test.

    OS X El Capitan: Start up in safe mode

    You could install Onyx which has a parameter for showing hidden files,

    http://www.titanium.free.fr/

  • by queenmab100,

    queenmab100 queenmab100 Jun 7, 2016 11:47 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 7, 2016 11:47 PM in response to Barney-15E

    I'm trying to show a folder which is in the following location:

     

    /users/library/username/library/thunderbird

  • by chroot,

    chroot chroot Jun 8, 2016 12:01 AM in response to queenmab100
    Level 4 (1,099 points)
    Jun 8, 2016 12:01 AM in response to queenmab100

    queenmab100 wrote:

     

    I'm trying to show a folder which is in the following location:

     

    /users/library/username/library/thunderbird

     

    It would be: /Users/username/Library

     

    The short path: ~/Library

     

    Screen Shot 2016-06-08 at 2.53.54 AM.png

    Screen Shot 2016-06-08 at 2.53.43 AM.png

     

    Also, it's: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE

     

    True and false are boolean values.  The boolean data type is typically only a single bit in size.  True would indicate a binary value of 1 and false would be a 0.  A bit is a single binary number.

  • by queenmab100,

    queenmab100 queenmab100 Jun 8, 2016 12:01 AM in response to VikingOSX
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 8, 2016 12:01 AM in response to VikingOSX

    Thanks, but that sounds *way* beyond me!  :-(

  • by queenmab100,

    queenmab100 queenmab100 Jun 8, 2016 12:08 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 8, 2016 12:08 AM in response to Eric Root

    Tried that but no joy.  :-(

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Jun 8, 2016 12:15 AM in response to queenmab100
    Level 5 (6,246 points)
    Mac App Store
    Jun 8, 2016 12:15 AM in response to queenmab100

    Copy and Paste this into "Go to Folder…"

    ~/Library/Thunderbird/

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Jun 8, 2016 1:15 AM in response to queenmab100
    Level 5 (6,246 points)
    Mac App Store
    Jun 8, 2016 1:15 AM in response to queenmab100

    queenmab100 wrote:

     

    I'm trying to show a folder which is in the following location:

     

    /users/library/username/library/thunderbird

    Just to clarify something, the path you say you are trying to reach would not and cannot exist in OSX. So there is no way to find such a folder.

  • by queenmab100,

    queenmab100 queenmab100 Jun 8, 2016 7:01 AM in response to dialabrain
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 8, 2016 7:01 AM in response to dialabrain

    Attached is a screen shot from Fnder that shows the folder "Profiles".  That is the folder I am trying to find with the Finder.  However, when I put the words "Name:Profiles" in the search window, it does not find the file.  Screen shot also attached showing that.

     

    Perhaps I misunderstand how the Mac organizes files.  I am mainly a PC user and am continually mystified by the Mac.  :-(

    Screenshot 2016-06-08 09.55.01.png

    PS Attaching second screen shot in next reply.  After adding first image, "add image" button is now greyed out. 

  • by queenmab100,

    queenmab100 queenmab100 Jun 8, 2016 7:07 AM in response to queenmab100
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 8, 2016 7:07 AM in response to queenmab100

    Argh, "add image" is now greyed out in advanced editor. No idea how to post second screen shot.

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