If you’re a developer on a Mac, you most likely have hidden files set to show like .htaccess and .profile. That’s when those pesky .DS_Store files start popping up in every directory. If you’re a little OCD like me, they can drive you crazy. Here’s a few simple commands you can run in Terminal to have those files removed.
How to Remove All .DS_Store Files
- Select Applications > Utilities to launch Terminal.
- Enter the following UNIX command:
sudo find / -name ".DS_Store" -depth -exec rm {} \; - When prompted for a password enter your Mac OS X Administrator password.
Automatically Remove .DS_Store Files Periodically
- Select Applications > Utilities to launch Terminal.
- Enter the following UNIX command:
sudo crontab -e - When prompted for a password enter your Mac OS X Administrator password.
- In the vi editor, press the letter I on your keyboard once and enter the following command:
15 1 * * * root find / -name ".DS_Store" -depth -exec rm {} \;This crontab entry has the following format:
<Minute> <Hour> <DayOfMonth> <Month> <DayOfWeek> <User Command>.
The system automatically runs the command at 1:15 AM everyday. To configure the command for a different time, use different values.
Note: This command is not run if your computer is switched off at the scheduled time.
To save the entry press the Esc key once, then simultaneously press Shift+z+z.
Additional Information
For more details, see Mac OS X Hidden Files & Directories.
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