Show Hidden & Search System Files Windows & Apple Mac OS X

Recently I was looking to delete some files off my Mac, that were albeit being difficult to find. It was a little challenging, so I thought I’d put together the solution for you all to take advantage of.

As usual, I’ll explain Apple’s Mac OS X platform first. The two functions (searching system files and showing hidden ones) are independent.

Terminal Application within the Utilities folder (Mac OS X)

To reveal hidden files in the finder you’ll first need to open an application called Terminal. You can find it under Applications\Utilities. Once it’s launched, you’ll presumably need all three of the following commands.

1. defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
2. defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE
3. Killall Finder

Once you have terminal open, you can copy paste (command + c, command + v) any of the commands above into the prompt. The command #1 (ending in TRUE) will write to a preference file on your computer, telling it to reveal ALL files, including hidden ones. Once you’ve typed that and hit enter, you’ll notice nothing will have actually changed. You’ll have to run the command #3, (Killall Finder) which will re-launch the Finder, and doing so with the new preference in place. You’ll see the immediate result, as some hidden desktop files become visible right away. You’ll be able to tell which files are otherwise hidden files because they’ll be a little translucent.

I should warn you that altering hidden/system files can lead to disastrous results, so be sure to proceed only with instructions from a professional, or if you absolutely know what you’re doing.

At any point, if you need to reverse the changes you’ve made, you can type command #2 (ending in FALSE), then #3 again to re-launch finder, and you’ll see all those hidden files disappear.

A Finder search in which system files are not included.

To search system files, you can first use spotlight (command + Spacebar), then click the ‘Show All’ function that offers itself immediately before any of your results. Once you do this, you’ll have a new Finder window open showing all the results of your search. You can also just open a new Finder window, and use your spotlight dialog in the top right to start a search, hit enter, and view the results.

Adding system files to your search comes next. Whenever you open a Finder window with search results, you’ll receive an option near the top right of the window which will act as a filter, or give you additional options for your searches. By default, you should see (Kind) is (Any) – you can change that to (System Files) (are included)

The same search, except with System Files INCLUDED

Windows XP

It’s out of character, but it’s actually a lot easier to reveal hidden files on the Windows platform (I swear, that’s all that’s easier when you’re using a PC). Open up a fresh window, and at the top on the menu bar you’ll see File, Edit and then eventually Tools. From the Tools menu, choose Folder Options.

Windows XP Folder Options

This next dialog that pops up will have 4 tabs; choose View, then you should see a bunch of items on a list. Near the bottom of that list (without scrolling) choose “Show Hidden Files and Folders” and then choose Apply on the bottom right corner, and all hidden files will be revealed in the finder. Just like on your Mac, you’ll see those files to be slightly translucent.

You’ll be happy to know that this process is identical on Windows Vista, and Windows 7, but from me to you – if you’re using either operating system, I’m sure you’ve been handed more problems than solutions, with a bloated operating system that eats at your computers resources, and demands more and more from your hardware.

Search System Files & Hidden Folders

1. Open a search dialog. You can do this by hitting F3 while having any Windows Explorer window open, or click Start > Search.
2. On the bottom left corner of the window you’ll see ‘Change Preferences’. (underlined in image)
3. Choose ‘Change files and folders search behaviour’. (image)
4. Choose ‘Advanced – includes options to manually…’ (image)
5. Finally, back to the ‘Main Menu’ of the search dialog. Check mark the ‘Search hidden files and folders’, and anything you search will now include your elusive files. (image)

Until next time… if you need more help, you know who to go to!