How can I permanently delete hidden files/folders on Mac USB drive?

Question

I am aware that you can delete Mac OS X hidden files/folders (such as /.Spotlight-V100 or .DS_Store) on a USB drive using various scripts. But then the hidden files/folders get added again before you eject it.

Is there any way to prevent this, and if so - how?

@OliverSalzburg the ones that OS X adds automatically. http://www.westwind.com/reference/OS-X/invisibles.html. all of them. — gadgetmo, May 26 '12 at 13:06
It might be helpful if you put the names of the hidden files in your question. That way people will quickly know what you mean. — Oliver Salzburg, May 26 '12 at 13:13
possible duplicate of How to prevent Mac OS X creating .DS_Store files on non Mac (HFS) Volumes? — Daniel Beck, May 26 '12 at 13:40
some help here too How disable mac snow leopard creating .Spotlight-V100 and .Trash folders in USB Flash Drivers? — Jeremy W, May 26 '12 at 17:11
Duplicate of: How disable creating .Spotlight-V100 and .Trash folders on external drive? — kenorb, Apr 08 '15 at 19:09

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered May 26 '12 at 19:37

To prevent /.Spotlight files you must prevent Spotlight fron indexing external drives.

To do this for a specific drive add a file called .metadata_never_index to the root directory of the removable drive.

You can also completely prevent spotlight indexing but I figured that was not what you were looking for.

To prevent .DS_Store files from being created:

defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores true

More Info Here (And More files that you can prevent) and Here

How can I permanently delete hidden files/folders on Mac USB drive?

1 Answers1