[Libid21]

I have no idea how this happened, but the "Library" folder that contains a lot of my applications' main folders is missing. Well, not really missing but I can't access it directly unless I go to this program I have and hit "open in folder"... I'm not sure if I'm being clear enough so here's a picture:



You see how the library is hidden like that? How did that happen and how do I reverse it?

Thank you!

[Spheric Harlot]

That Library Folder contains nothing you should need to access in ordinary usage.

It has been made invisible since 10.7 Lion, because people kept messing with it and losing their e-mails and preferences and such.

If you really need to get into it frequently (for whatever reason), you can either just drag it to the sidebar and access it from there, or just hold down the option key while in the "Go" menu in the Finder (Library will appear), or use a terminal command to change the visibility flag to just keep it visible like any other folder.

May I ask why you need this?

[reader50]

invisibliX will let you switch visibility on any file or folder. TinkerTool will let you make all hidden items visible. There are many alternative utilities for either.

Gotta love it when someone asks for control of their own computer - and people keep asking "why do you need it, maybe you really don't" instead of helping. One presumes he wants to see it ... because he said he wants to see it. And he owns it.

[Libid21]

Thank you for the replies.

Originally Posted by reader50 

invisibliX will let you switch visibility on any file or folder. TinkerTool will let you make all hidden items visible. There are many alternative utilities for either.

Gotta love it when someone asks for control of their own computer - and people keep asking "why do you need it, maybe you really don't" instead of helping. One presumes he wants to see it ... because he said he wants to see it. And he owns it.

Correct! I actually do have to access that Library part of my computer because it contains a folder where a program called "Out of the Park Baseball" holds its directory. I am constantly finding myself needing to go in there. I am not dumb though, I don't delete random things for no reason!

Thanks again for the help.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by reader50 

Gotta love it when someone asks for control of their own computer - and people keep asking "why do you need it, maybe you really don't" instead of helping. One presumes he wants to see it ... because he said he wants to see it. And he owns it.

"Instead"?

I posted THREE suggestions to help solve this issue.

And these forums are FULL of questions from people who think they "need" something that they don't (see regular maintenance tools, or permissions repair "errors", or defragmentation tools, etc. etc.).

[P]

Originally Posted by Libid21 

Correct! I actually do have to access that Library part of my computer because it contains a folder where a program called "Out of the Park Baseball" holds its directory. I am constantly finding myself needing to go in there. I am not dumb though, I don't delete random things for no reason!

In that case, just make a shortcut to that folder on the desktop. Much easier than making things visible.

[Spheric Harlot]

Or in the Finder sidebar, as I suggested above).

[ghporter]

As Spheric Harlot noted, messing with a Library folder, or its contents, is not something most users should do. It is one of those "fraught with peril" things that makes people hate Windows. In any case, there are certain issues that DO give a user good reason to tinker under the hood, like having preferences borked or the like. But...the particular reason for wanting/needing access can help illuminate the best and safest means of access to a Library folder.

So yes, it's your data and your folder and your computer, but if you give us a hint as to why you want in, maybe we can help identify the best way to get in without smashing through a door or something.

[Spheric Harlot]

He has.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

or use a terminal command to change the visibility flag to just keep it visible like any other folder.

Yes, this is the fastest way.

Code:
chflags nohidden ~/Library/

-t

[Spheric Harlot]

Isn't that reset after each system update, though?

I'm pretty sure it is for the system libraries and other folders (/var, /private, /etc, etc.)

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

Isn't that reset after each system update, though?

I'm pretty sure it is for the system libraries and other folders (/var, /private, /etc, etc.)

Yes, unfortunately.

-t