Search For A File On Mac OS Xs

If you need to locate a specific hidden, packaged, or system file, heres how to go about it.

Spotlight has some seriously awesome featureslike being able to search the content of a document in addition to just the file namebut when it comes to the system files, such as those buried deep in the Library folder, Spotlight leaves a bit to be desired out-of-the-box.

Advertisement Tweaking Spotlight to Find System Files Say youre troubleshooting an app, and you want to start over with a clean slate by deleting its.pref file.

These files often have strange names that make them hard to find alphabetically in LibraryPreferences.

Searching for the applications name would be a great solution, but Spotlight doesnt search system files by default.

With a small tweak, though, you can choose to include system files in specific searches.

GO Media may get a commission Kids Ultra Stretch Denim Slim Fit Pants Buy for 15 from Uniqlo Just open up Finder and search for a file.

Use the search box to find System Files in the menu, and check its box.

When you hit OK, System Files will be an option in that leftmost dropdown menu.

Click it, and in the dropdown to the right of it, choose Include.

Advertisement Using Find Any File to Search Packaged and Hidden Files Unfortunately, this method only works for finding system files.

It wont find hidden files (even if you have Finder set to show hidden files ), and it wont find files inside packages.

Free app Find Any File is a very simple search app that gives you these options in the form of simple checkboxes.

Search For A File On Mac OS Xs

Just search for your file, and when the results window pops up, check the box to include hidden files or files inside packages: Show hidden files in Finder By default, Mac OS Xs Finder keeps system files - which generally start with a dot, like Read more Advertisement It isnt quite as fast as Spotlight, but it serves its purpose well when you need to get at files that Spotlight tries to keep out of your way.

Advertisement These are just a few methods for finding files that Spotlight doesnt include in its searches by default, but its likely that there are other types of files that arent Spotlight-friendlyif you have any tips for getting around Spotlights limitations, share them with us in the comments.

Find Any File via MakeUseOf Advertisement Share This Story Get our newsletter Subscribe More from Lifehacker Productivity 101: An Introduction to The Pomodoro Technique How to Poop in Nature How to Become a U.S.-Based Digital Nomad How to Tap Your Network and See Everything That Happens On It DISCUSSION Gerardo Zamudio 121010 2:04PM Link to Find Any File is missing.

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How To Search For A File On Mac Osx