View Zip Contents Mac



Let’s face it. Everyone has a secret, and so does your Mac. Thousands of them are in the form of hidden files and folders stored in the ~/Library folder in your User folder. These files hold information like app preferences, etc.

  1. Just follow the step by step directions below and you’ll be able to quickly view the contents of a ZIP file without having to open it. Head over to the BetterZip download page and download the current version. The installation is very straight forward – just unzip the file and move the App to your Applications folder. Run it from there.
  2. Using it, you can clean junk files, system log files, cache files, partial download, organize files on Mac, and do a lot more. To know more about this tool, read the complete review. In addition to this, you can recover gigabytes of disk space and can get rid of not enough storage space.
  3. With it, you can open the X-ray or another medical image directly from the disc, via a ZIP file, or even by having it search through your folders to find the DICOM files. Once one is opened in MicroDicom, you can view its metadata, export it as a JPG, TIF, or another common image file type, and more.

The Unarchiver can open zip archives as well as open RAR files on a Mac, zip CPGZ files, bz2 bzip.7z files.sit, gzip gz, tar, and many other file archive formats that you may encounter when downloading data from the internet or in emails.

But how can we view hidden files on macOS X?

There’s hope, and in this article, we will talk about ways to see all hidden files on Mac and make the Library folder visible.

What are Hidden Files on Mac?

Hidden files on Mac are a throwback to macOS’ Unix roots. Generally, files starting with “.” are hidden. Due to this, Mac doesn’t allow placing a ‘.’ at the beginning of a file name.

These hidden files contain data like preferences, application support files, privileges folders, and more.

Why are the files hidden on Mac?

Due to several reasons, files and folders on Mac are hidden. They are listed as below:

  • They contain crucial data important for working for macOS.
  • If they are visible, your Mac might look cluttered.
  • No reason for users to view them

How to View Hidden File on Mac?

Before you learn how to see hidden files on Mac, remember there are reasons for hiding files on Mac.

The information they contain is essential, and making any changes or deleting them can make Mac behave weirdly.

For example, if you want to view the ~/Library folder & delete application support files for uninstalled applications, consider using Disk Clean Pro. This nifty Mac optimizer and cleaner will remove all unwanted application support files. Just click via One Click Care.

To download Disk Clean Pro, click here.

This cleanup tool for Mac is available at Mac App Store and is thoroughly tested and trusted. Using it, you can clean junk files, system log files, cache files, partial download, organize files on Mac, and do a lot more.

To know more about this tool, read the complete review.

In addition to this, you can recover gigabytes of disk space and can get rid of not enough storage space.

However, if you are not satisfied with it and would like to view the hidden files Mac app. Here’s how you can see all files hidden on Mac.

Way 1: Mac Finder Showing Hidden Files

Follow the steps below to view hidden files in Finder on Mac:

  1. Open Finder window
  2. Now in the left bar, click the name of your Mac under ‘Devices.’
  3. Select and click the startup drive. By default, it reads as Macintosh HD.
  4. Next, press Command +Shift +.(period) key. You will now be able to see several files with “.”
  5. To hide them again, hold down Command + Shift +. (period).

Note: To unhide and see hidden files in the Documents or Applications folder, you can use the same key combination i.e., Command+Shift+.

However, if you know what file type you are looking for in the ~/Library folder, follow the steps below:

1. Open Finder, press the Alt key, and click Go.

2. Click Library to open, normally hidden, folder

You’ll now see the most cluttered Mac desktop. Most of the unhidden files are system files and autosaved Microsoft Word documents. This finder showing hidden files sometimes helps users find those files that they thought were lost forever.

Read Also: “Other” On Mac Storage And How To Remove It

Way 2: Unhide Files On Mac With Terminal Commands

Like the command prompt in Windows, we have a Terminal, command-line interface in Mac. Using it and a set of commands, you can easily show hidden files on Mojave and hide files. Unlike Finder, where you need to follow a series of complex instructions, using the Terminal command is easy.

If you know about Terminal and are conformable using it, here is the list of commands to show hidden files Mac app:

  1. Launch Terminal
  2. Here, copy-paste the following command defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true [Press Return] killall Finder

Note: The parameter True shows hidden files, whereas when you change it to false, it will again hide the files.

The method you chose doesn’t matter because both will help view all hidden files. If you select a finder to show hidden files, you will have to follow complex steps. While using the Terminal command is simple, and it quickly helps with OS X show hidden files.

Moreover, using Terminal, you can show all hidden files or folders on your Mac. This is a great way to view password protected .rar on your desktop!

Read Also: Uninstaller for Mac to Remove Apps Completely

Way 3: View Hidden files using chflags hidden command on Mojave

However, if you want to see all hidden files on Mac follow the steps below:

1. Launch Terminal

2. Copy-paste the following command: chflags hidden

Note: Make sure there’s a space between the command and the parameter

3. Drag files or folders into the Terminal that you want to hide from Finder. You will now see the file and folder paths in Terminal.

4. To hide, press Return.

By using these simple sets of instructions, you can hide files. To view hidden files, change the parameter from nohidden. You will now see all the hidden files on Mac.

While using this method, always remember anyone who knows this trick can also use the same command to unhide files.

This is all using these simple methods; you can show hidden files on Mac. Furthermore, if your motive to see hidden files is to remove junk files, we have an easy way.

Cleaning Hidden Junk Files Automatically

Generally, Mac users look for ways to view hidden files because they want to recover some additional gigabytes. But if they can clean up these useless hidden files without much ado then?

You read it right using an excellent tool like Disk Clean Pro; you can quickly recover hard disk space and clean up your Mac.

To use this fantastic tool, follow the steps below:

1. Download & install Disk Clean Pro

2. Launch the app and click Start System Scan

3. Let the scan finish. You’ll now see all the junk files.

4. Hit Clean Now to get rid of this unwanted data.

Tada! This is it. Using these simple steps and Terminal commands, you can view hidden files on Mac. Moreover, you can show hidden files on Mac to your friend and be popular.

Read Also:Delete Downloaded Files And Folders

Frequently Asked Question

Q1. How Do I Manage Files On A Mac?

Files on Mac can be managed both manually and automatically. To manage files manually, select items by pressing and holding the Command key. Next, press the Control key > choose New Folder with Selection. That’s it. You can now place the files in the selected folder.

Alternatively, you can use Disk Clean Pro to organize and manage files. In addition to this, to arrange files on the desktop. Click desktop, choose view > Sort By, then choose from the list of options. You can now arrange the files.

Q2. How Do You Make Hidden Files Unhidden On A Mac?

The easiest way to unhide a file on Mac is to use the Terminal command. To do so, launch Terminal and run the following command: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE killall Finder.

This way, you can see hidden files in Finder.

Additionally, you can also type chflags nohidden with a space between command and nohidden. You can now unhide a file or a folder.

Q3. Where Are Hidden Files On Mac?

In the Finder, open your Macintosh HD folder. Press Command+Shift+Dot. You will now be able to see hidden files.

What Do You Think?
Responses

I often have to work with large zip archives that are really compressed installation kits, and I need to look inside, i.e. see the internal directory structure and files in the archive.


View Zip Contents Mac

On Windows I can do that using any of the classic zipping tools (Winzip of 7z) or even just let the Explorer sjhow the content of a zip file just as if it was another folder.


That is not possible on MacOS. All I can do is open it with the Archive utility (or the Unarchiver tool). Both will automatically fully extract the contents of the archive on disk (and the Archive utility even deletes the original zip archive).

View Contents Of Zip File Mac Os


One nice extension to the Finder would for it to work like Windows' explorer and automatically show the content of the archive.


Meanwhile does anyone have a good recommendation for a tool with functionality similar to that of WinZIP or 7zip to let me look inside an archive without fully extracting it to disk ? The Unarchiver tool doest not do that.


Zip Content Type

Albert

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

View Zip File Contents

Posted on Jul 21, 2012 10:07 AM