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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

Then, relaunch Finder

Suggestions #2:

Show Hidden Files Mac OS X El Capitan:

Click “Finder” icon on your Mac dock.
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:
Select “Applications” on the left side, then on “Utilities“, and double-click on “Terminal“
Open the OS X El Capitan Launchpad. Click the “Utilities” folder. Then, double click on “Terminal.”
Enter the following text into the Terminal window, then press “Enter“: “defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES”
Exit the Terminal program. This can be done by selecting “Quit Terminal” from the Terminal menu.
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

36 replies

Jun 10, 2016 4:12 AM in response to Barney-15E

I've been messing around with some of the subfolders in my Thunderbird profile and I was frustrated that Finder could not take me there.

Thanks for the tip. Could you outline step-by-step instructions for how to do this:

If you need to get into that Profiles folder often, just create an Alias to the folder put it somewhere handy like the sidebar or Dock.

dialabrain

Level 10

122,627 points

Jun 10, 2016 4:19 AM in response to Community User

Drag the Profiles folder into the Finder Sidebar or into the right side of the Dock.

Jun 10, 2016 4:22 AM in response to dialabrain

OMG - I can't believe it's that easy!!!

While we're at it, is there a way to set the Finder to always search by the file/folder name? I almost never search for something within a file or folder, I'm usually just look for a particular file or folder.

Thanks for your help.

dialabrain

Level 10

122,627 points

Jun 10, 2016 4:30 AM in response to Community User

The Finder defaults to search by name. You just type in the name. However, as was mentioned, not if they are hidden.

You're welcome.

dialabrain

Level 10

122,627 points

Jun 10, 2016 4:34 AM in response to Community User

This should help…

Get to know the Finder on your Mac - Apple Support

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,896 points

Jun 10, 2016 2:22 PM in response to Community User

It is that easy to add things to the Dock or the Sidebar.

If you want to add an Alias to another folder, just hold down cmd+option and drag the folder to wherever you want the alias. You'll know it is creating an alias as it will have a little, curly arrow on the icon. A green + means it will Copy, and a nothing means it will Move.

How to find hidden folders using Finder