find files in hidden folders?

[neer]

Automator deleted my Documents folder during a "Copy Finder Items". Got the suggestion that the folder was somehow renamed with a "."(hidden). I'm not too good in the BSD world, so I'm not sure how to search for files in hidden folders in the terminal window. I tried "find / -name "*ltu*.*" , no luck though. (one file was named ltu.cls). Does that search through hidden folders?

 

[Ric]

If you would like to view hidden OS X files you can edit the com.apple.Finder.plist (preference list), this will allow you to see and find all hidden folders and directories/folders.

Here's how:

Type this into a new Terminal window:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool YES

(you can of course copy and paste that line into terminal, saves typing!)

Restart the Finder. (Logging out/in is an easy way to do this.)

The files should now be visible in the Finder.

To reverse it, insert the string above again, but change YES to NO.

That's it you should now be able to search for your files...

Regards

Ric

 

[Ric]

Should have also said, be very carefull don't move any files that you don't know what they are etc. or you will end up having to reinstall the OS.

Please use with caution.

 

[Ric]

Also Tinker tool will unhide folders/files for you...link is on the blog page !

 

[Ric]

And we also have another way of showing Invisibles Files/Folders...


http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/automator/showorhideinvisibles.html