OS 10.5 - Hidden files

michaelmjc · michaelmjc #1 (**permalink**)

02-15-2008, 11:21 AM

I'm in somewhat of a pickle here. A couple of months ago I downloaded a program to hide some files I did not want seen.

Now I want to unhide them, but for some reason can't find the program on my machine, and have no idea what it was called.

Am I completely screwed? or is there a way to unhide these files?

Thank you very much.

RiDE · RiDE #2 (**permalink**)

02-15-2008, 11:31 AM

To show the Hidden files using the terminal type (better yet.. copy/paste) the following:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool YES;killall Finder

Then to HIDE the "Hidden Files" Type (again, might want to just copy/paste) the following in the Terminal:

defaults delete com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles;killall Finder

You can also use the Onyx Parameters to "Show Hidden Files"

michaelmjc · michaelmjc #3 (**permalink**)

02-15-2008, 11:33 AM

Dude thanks so much!

RiDE · RiDE #4 (**permalink**)

02-15-2008, 11:36 AM

No problem... glad you got it straightened out.

Hidden files begin with a period "."
To make the files no longer hidden simply remove the "."

Be careful with what you change though, as some things may be hard coded to a specific path that contains the "."

If they are just your own files/folders... no harm in adding and removing the "." though

the8thark · the8thark #5 (**permalink**)

02-16-2008, 07:14 AM

Actually there is an app called Xray that is useful for making files visible or invisible. Its a nice graphical way to do this for the people who are uncomfortable with playing inside of terminal.

michaelmjc · michaelmjc #6 (**permalink**)

02-17-2008, 11:30 AM

Thank you the8thark

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michaelmjc #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 18, 2004 Posts: 110	02-15-2008, 11:21 AM I'm in somewhat of a pickle here. A couple of months ago I downloaded a program to hide some files I did not want seen. Now I want to unhide them, but for some reason can't find the program on my machine, and have no idea what it was called. Am I completely screwed? or is there a way to unhide these files? Thank you very much.
	QUOTE Thanks

RiDE #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 13, 2006 Location: Deep in the heart of Texas! Posts: 3,556 Mac Specs: Mac's	02-15-2008, 11:31 AM To show the Hidden files using the terminal type (better yet.. copy/paste) the following: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool YES;killall Finder Then to HIDE the "Hidden Files" Type (again, might want to just copy/paste) the following in the Terminal: defaults delete com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles;killall Finder You can also use the Onyx Parameters to "Show Hidden Files"
	QUOTE Thanks

RiDE #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 13, 2006 Location: Deep in the heart of Texas! Posts: 3,556 Mac Specs: Mac's	02-15-2008, 11:36 AM No problem... glad you got it straightened out. Hidden files begin with a period "." To make the files no longer hidden simply remove the "." Be careful with what you change though, as some things may be hard coded to a specific path that contains the "." If they are just your own files/folders... no harm in adding and removing the "." though
	QUOTE Thanks

the8thark #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 27, 2007 Location: Brisvegas Posts: 5,658 Mac Specs: 17 inch 2 GHz C2D imac (5,1) with 3GB DDR2 RAM, X1600 (128MB memory) GPU - OSX 10.6.3	02-16-2008, 07:14 AM Actually there is an app called Xray that is useful for making files visible or invisible. Its a nice graphical way to do this for the people who are uncomfortable with playing inside of terminal.
	QUOTE Thanks

michaelmjc #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 18, 2004 Posts: 110	02-17-2008, 11:30 AM Thank you the8thark
	QUOTE Thanks

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