Locating and deleting .DS_Store files on macOS Tahoe 26.0.1

worx25 wrote:

Using MacOS Tahoe 26.0.1 with a Mac mini Pro M4. I have some third party software that is being stopped from using MacOS's Copy and Paste process on external drives because of a specific MacOS file.

The developer asks me to delete those files (they are not critical and will be re-created automatically when needed) but I need to find them in order to delete them.

They are files with extension ".DS_Store" . What is the best way to find and delete them? Thank you.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Finding Certain Files

Seems a bit unusual....

third party software...(?)

external drives...formatted how(?)

error -36 (?)

If you are using a mounted FAT32 or exFAT drive, you can remove dot underscore files from the Terminal.app with:

dot_clean -m /Volumes/mounted_name

/usr/sbin/dot_clean -m /Volumes/name_of_usb_drive

report back your success or failure. You can drag and drop the the a drive directly onto the Terminal window to complete the path.

I might suggest working from a copy in the event it is not what you want.

If you prefer not to use Terminal, press Command-Shift-. (period) in Finder, that will toggle the invisible files to visible. You can delete the .DS_Store files from the external drive(s) but don't delete anything else as macOS generally hides files for a reason. When you're done, Command-Shift-. (period) again will toggle the invisible files out of sight.

FWIW, you can find .DS_Store files using EasyFind.

neuroanatomist wrote:

If you prefer not to use Terminal, press Command-Shift-. (period) in Finder, that will toggle the invisible files to visible. You can delete the .DS_Store files from the external drive(s) but don't delete anything else as macOS generally hides files for a reason. When you're done, Command-Shift-. (period) again will toggle the invisible files out of sight.

Finder will not show the DS_Store files.

.DS_Store files are normal and should not be deleted. If you have some 3rd party software that is telling you to delete them, then you need to delete the 3rd party software.

PS: On modern macOS systems, it is very difficult to create duplicate files. If you're having storage problems, look elsewhere.

worx25 wrote:

Both the Source drive and the Destination drive are APFS formatted. Third party software is Duplicate File Finder (on the App Store). Not sure what error "-36" is.

That is an I/O Error and is usually associated with a hardware issue with the drive or possibly the cable.

Just to clarify here, are the .DS_Store files you are want removed......are they on an external drive with a FAT32 or exFAT file system, or NTFS?

Thanks, it’s been several years since I’ve bothered with them and they used to. Not sure when Apple super-hid them.

You're welcome.