Set date modified of all .DS_Store files in a folder and all its subfolders via terminal?

Command Center

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23-10-2024

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Introduction

If you're a macOS user, you've likely encountered .DS_Store files. These hidden files are created by Finder to store custom attributes of a folder, such as icon placement and view settings. However, there are times when you may want to modify the date on these files, whether for organization or personal preference. In this article, we’ll discuss how to set the date modified for all .DS_Store files in a directory and its subdirectories using the terminal.

Problem Scenario

You want to change the modification date of all .DS_Store files found within a specific folder and its nested folders. This can be done easily by using the command line interface, specifically the Terminal application in macOS.

Original Code for the Problem

Here’s a sample command that you can use in the terminal to accomplish this:

find /path/to/your/folder -name '.DS_Store' -exec touch -mt 202310140000 {} \;

Replace /path/to/your/folder with the actual path to your target folder.

How It Works

Let’s break down the command:

1. find: This command searches for files in a directory hierarchy.
2. /path/to/your/folder: This is the directory where the search starts.
3. -name '.DS_Store': This option specifies that you are looking for files with the name .DS_Store.
4. -exec: This allows you to execute a command on each file that is found.
5. touch -mt 202310140000: The touch command is used here to change the timestamp. The -m option updates the modification time, while -t specifies the new time in [[CC]YY]MMDDhhmm[.SS] format.
6. {}: This is a placeholder for the found files.
7. ;: This signifies the end of the command.

Practical Example

Suppose you want to modify the .DS_Store files in the Documents/MyProject folder to reflect a last modification date of October 14, 2023, at 12:00 AM. You would use the following command:

find ~/Documents/MyProject -name '.DS_Store' -exec touch -mt 202310140000 {} \;

This command will search through the MyProject folder and any of its subfolders, modifying all .DS_Store files found within.

Additional Considerations

• Hidden Files: Remember that .DS_Store files are hidden by default. If you want to see them in Finder, you can press Command + Shift + . (dot).
• Permissions: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to modify these files. If you face any issues, you might need to use sudo before the find command (this will require your administrator password).

Conclusion

Changing the modification date of .DS_Store files can be beneficial for organizational purposes. Using the terminal for this task offers a quick and efficient method to handle multiple files at once, especially if they are located in different subdirectories.

Useful Resources

• Apple Developer Documentation on Finder
• Unix find Command Manual
• Understanding touch Command

By following the above steps, you can manage your .DS_Store files more effectively, helping to keep your macOS file organization clean and tidy. Happy coding!