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I want to view the all (sub-)directories on my Mac partition in Finder. Both hidden and unhidden directories.

How can I do this?

gentmatt
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Anonymous
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2 Answers2

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  1. Navigate to / (e.g. use ⌘+⇧+G.)
  2. Then, in list view hold ⌥ while clicking the triangle. This will show all subdirectories of a certain folder.

By default, you'll don't see hidden files/directories. To show hidden files type the following commands in the Terminal.app:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
killall Finder

You can use the value FALSE in the defaults write command to unto this action.

enter image description here

gentmatt
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  • How do I get to /? When I open new Finder Window I can only see Favourites which are the following directories: Dropbox, All My Files, AirDrop, Applications, Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Movies, Music, Pictures – Anonymous Jul 26 '12 at 12:11
  • @Anonymous The root directory is partition where you installed OS X. By default is has the name Macintosh HD. I've added a picture. – gentmatt Jul 26 '12 at 12:12
  • I don't see Macintosh HD in Finder. – Anonymous Jul 26 '12 at 12:13
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    @Anonymous You can manually navigate to the / directory this way: 1) Open a finder window 2) hit CMD+Shift+G 3) enter / – gentmatt Jul 26 '12 at 12:14
  • OK, that good to know I'll use this keyboard shortcut. However, do you know why I can't seem to find Macintosh HD on Finder? Oh, and another thing, when I'm in a directory, let's say /Library, I want to search for a directory, but when I try to search it doesn't search from /Library but from "This Mac" instead. Is there a way to change its default mode? – Anonymous Jul 26 '12 at 12:18
  • @Anonymous Search current folder in Finder – gentmatt Jul 26 '12 at 12:21
  • @Anonymous I'm not sure why you don't see the hard drive in Finder. Please check the finder preferences under general and sidebar. That should do it. – gentmatt Jul 26 '12 at 12:23
  • That was great, now I have my full hard-drive and the search is working properly. However, I still have two more questions: 1) how can I go back from the current directory to its parent directory if I'm using keyboard shortcut Command Shift G? 2)on / I only see Applications, Library, System, User Information and Users - why don't I see the real /? – Anonymous Jul 26 '12 at 12:28
  • I found how to go to the parent directory - enabling path bar, right click on the directory wanted enables that. – Anonymous Jul 26 '12 at 12:32
  • @Anonymous You don't see the "real" / because Finder only provides a graphical interface (GUI). Most users would get confused if your hard drive were simply named /. The Terminal.app on the other hand shows / when you're in the root directory. – gentmatt Jul 26 '12 at 12:38
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    neat I've managed to see the hidden files too now :) Thanks a lot! – Anonymous Jul 26 '12 at 12:40
  • Do you know how I can use spotlight, for instance to write / and then it will open finder within / ? Instead of opening new Finder Window, then Command + Shift + G ) – Anonymous Jul 26 '12 at 12:47
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Finder - Preferences. Check the box to show your Mac there, and you will be able to easily navigate wherever you want.

highwaykind
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    Welcome to AskDifferent. While it's never wrong to add a new answer to old questions, please provide a bit more details to distinct your answer from others. – nohillside Oct 14 '12 at 12:15