Snow Leopard: Seeing Invisible Files

· by · TMO Quick Tip

The invisible files hiding on your Mac are, for the most part, invisible for a reason. Since there are times when you might need to see those hidden files and folders, Mac OS X 10.6 makes it easy to do -- assuming you are viewing an Open or Save dialog.

To temporarily see the hidden files and folders on your Mac, Type Command-Shift-. (that's the period key) after invoking an Open or Save dialog. You'll be able to see all of the hidden files and folders on your Mac, but only in the dialog, and only as long as that specific dialog is open.

Snow Leopard lets you temporarily view hidden files.

This is a handy way to find and edit files that otherwise aren't visible, or if you need to get into documents that are stashed away in an invisible directory.

If you prefer to see all of your invisible files and folders all of the time, take a look at TinkerTool. That application lets you do far more than show hidden files, and it's free.

Jeff Gamet

Jeff Gamet

Jeff is the Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of "The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X" from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also co-hosts the We Have Communicators podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other podcasts, too. Jeff dreams in HD.

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