.DS_STORE File

What is a .DS_STORE file?

A .DS_STORE file, which stands for Desktop Services Store, is an invisible file that is created by macOS whenever you open a folder. It stores information about the folder's contents, such as the icon positions, view options, and background color. This information is used to display the folder in the way that you last saw it.

.DS_STORE files are not necessary for macOS to function, but they can be useful for keeping your folders organized and visually appealing. For example, if you change the icon size or position of all of the files in a folder, the .DS_STORE file will remember these changes and apply them the next time you open the folder.

.DS_STORE files are also included in archives, such as ZIP files, created by macOS users. This means that if you share a folder with someone who is using a different operating system, they may see .DS_STORE files in the archive. However, these files will not be visible to them if they open the folder on their own computer.

Overall, .DS_STORE files are a harmless and necessary part of macOS. However, if you are concerned about their security or privacy, you can delete them without causing any problems.

Here are some reasons why you might want to delete .DS_STORE files:

• To free up disk space
• To remove hidden files from your computer
• To troubleshoot problems with opening or displaying folders
• To prevent .DS_STORE files from being shared with others

To delete a .DS_STORE file, simply select it and press Command + Delete. Alternatively, you can right-click on the file and select "Move to Trash".

Please note that deleting a .DS_STORE file will not delete the contents of the folder. It will simply reset the folder's view options to their defaults.

How to open a .DS_STORE file?

There is no direct way to open a .DS_STORE file. This is because .DS_STORE files are not meant to be opened by users. They are simply used by macOS to store information about folders.

However, there are a few workarounds that you can use to view the contents of a .DS_STORE file. One way is to use a text editor, such as TextEdit or Sublime Text. To do this, simply open the .DS_STORE file in the text editor. The file will be displayed in a binary format, but you may be able to make out some of the information, such as the names of files and subfolders.

Another way to view the contents of a .DS_STORE file is to use a third-party utility. There are a number of utilities available that can be used to open and view .DS_STORE files. Some popular utilities include:

• DS Store Explorer
• DS Store Viewer
• XtraFinder

If you need to view the contents of a .DS_STORE file, I recommend using a third-party utility. These utilities are typically easier to use and provide more information than simply opening the file in a text editor.

Please note that opening a .DS_STORE file is not necessary for most users. However, it may be helpful for troubleshooting problems with opening or displaying folders, or for recovering deleted files.

Why are .DS_STORE files created?

.DS_STORE files are created by macOS for each folder that you open. They store information about the folder's contents, such as the icon positions, view options, and background color. This information is used to display the folder in the way that you last saw it.

For example, if you change the icon size or position of all of the files in a folder, the .DS_STORE file will remember these changes and apply them the next time you open the folder. This can be useful for keeping your folders organized and visually appealing.

.DS_STORE files are also used to store other information about folders, such as:

• The date and time that the folder was last modified
• The permissions for the folder and its contents
• The custom labels that have been applied to the folder

.DS_STORE files are not necessary for macOS to function, but they can be useful for keeping your folders organized and visually appealing. They can also be helpful for troubleshooting problems with opening or displaying folders.

Here are some of the benefits of having .DS_STORE files:

• They allow you to customize the way that folders are displayed in Finder.
• They make it easier to find and organize your files.
• They can help to troubleshoot problems with opening or displaying folders.
• They can be used to recover deleted files.

If you are concerned about the security or privacy of .DS_STORE files, you can delete them without causing any problems. However, this will reset the folder's view options to their defaults.

How to prevent macOS from creating .DS_STORE files on network volumes?

To prevent macOS from creating .DS_STORE files on network volumes, you can follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Enter the following command:

defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool TRUE

1. Press Return.
2. Restart your Mac.

After following these steps, macOS will no longer create .DS_STORE files on network volumes. However, it is important to note that this may cause some problems with opening or displaying folders on network volumes.

If you experience any problems with opening or displaying folders on network volumes after disabling .DS_STORE file creation, you can re-enable it by following the steps above and replacing the TRUE value with FALSE.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

• Disabling .DS_STORE file creation may improve performance when browsing network folders.
• Disabling .DS_STORE file creation may also help to prevent permission errors when moving or deleting files on network volumes.
• Disabling .DS_STORE file creation will not affect the way that folders are displayed on your local Mac.