How do I make this go away?
March 23, 2006 9:18 AM Subscribe
I did something to my computer (iMac G5) over a year ago, and now every folder includes a file called ".DS_Store". What is it, and how can I make it invisible again?
Response by poster: Bonus semi-related question: I put "Cocktail" on my computer around the same time. I searched Spotlight for anything with "Cocktail" in the title, and threw it away. That blue dot that just does what F11 does will not go away. How do I make that go away?
posted by interrobang at 9:20 AM on March 23, 2006
posted by interrobang at 9:20 AM on March 23, 2006
Best answer: Yeah, those are Finder droppings. Turn off invisible files. You can do this with Cocktail.
The blue dot for Expose can also be turned off with Cocktail, I'm pretty sure.
So, put Cocktail back on, turn off those features, then remove it again if you like.
posted by kindall at 9:25 AM on March 23, 2006
The blue dot for Expose can also be turned off with Cocktail, I'm pretty sure.
So, put Cocktail back on, turn off those features, then remove it again if you like.
posted by kindall at 9:25 AM on March 23, 2006
Response by poster: That seems to have worked, Dipsomaniac; I followed the instructions on the page you linked, and by the looks of things, it's gone. Thank you very much!
posted by interrobang at 9:28 AM on March 23, 2006
posted by interrobang at 9:28 AM on March 23, 2006
Response by poster: ...and that did it, too, kindall. I hadn't thought of putting the damn program back on the computer in order to delete it. Thanks!
posted by interrobang at 9:38 AM on March 23, 2006
posted by interrobang at 9:38 AM on March 23, 2006
There is also a Dashboard widget called Show/Hide which can turn hidden files on or off in the Finder. It's handy and super easy (it's a big button). If you are running 10.4.
posted by teece at 9:43 AM on March 23, 2006
posted by teece at 9:43 AM on March 23, 2006
Best answer: Just an explanation for these two things; you're making the sorts of assumptions that drive IT support people batty.
The .DS_Store files: They didn't suddenly show up, but are a special system file that exist in every directory; they are normally hidden from view, and you turned that option off by accident.
The Cocktail/Exposé deal: Programs like Cocktail, again, do not "add" those sorts of features. They simply expose (pun not intended) various hidden preferences in the operating system/the Finder, and allow you to change those preferences.
This is why the blue dot did not go away when you removed Cocktail--it's not part of Cocktail itself, but rather Cocktail was just allowing you to toggle whether the dot was shown or hidden (this is also why WCityMike's alternate solutions would have the same desired effect).
posted by cyrusdogstar at 10:30 AM on March 23, 2006
The .DS_Store files: They didn't suddenly show up, but are a special system file that exist in every directory; they are normally hidden from view, and you turned that option off by accident.
The Cocktail/Exposé deal: Programs like Cocktail, again, do not "add" those sorts of features. They simply expose (pun not intended) various hidden preferences in the operating system/the Finder, and allow you to change those preferences.
This is why the blue dot did not go away when you removed Cocktail--it's not part of Cocktail itself, but rather Cocktail was just allowing you to toggle whether the dot was shown or hidden (this is also why WCityMike's alternate solutions would have the same desired effect).
posted by cyrusdogstar at 10:30 AM on March 23, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Dipsomaniac at 9:20 AM on March 23, 2006