otisk OT
@otisk
macOS Oct 31, 2026

Finder search won't show hidden system files, can I make that permanent?

I know the Cmd+Shift+. trick shows hidden files in a Finder window, but when I search they still don't come up. Looking for a config file in Library. Any way to make search include them every time on macOS?
show hidden files
1

Leave A Reply

Log in to post an answer.

1 Answer

R
raj_89 Nov 04, 2026
otisk
Two separate things here. Cmd+Shift+. toggles hidden files in Finder windows, and that setting sticks. Search is different: it leaves system files out regardless. To include them, start a search, click the + under the search bar, open the first dropdown, choose Other, find System files, and set it to are included. Save that search from the bar at the top and it shows up in the sidebar, which is about as permanent as Finder gets.
Reply