Show Library Folder on non-TM backup

In Mac OS 10.9/10 you go to your home folder and select View > Show View Options (cmd-j) and there should be a check box marked "Show Library Folder" this is the easiest way to alow yourself access to your library folder.
In the case of a non-TimeMachine backup of the (non-bootable) Home Folder, the Library Folder is not shown and the above technique is not applicable -- how can the Library Folder be revealed in this instance?

Open the AppleScript Editor in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder, paste the text below exactly as it's written into it, and run the script:
tell application "Finder" to quit
do shell script "chflags nohidden " & quoted form of POSIX path of (choose folder with invisibles)
delay 2
tell application "Finder" to run
(115904)

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Can't access library folder on Time Machine Backup

I'll try to explain this as clearly as possible...
1) I have wiped my hard drive and completed a clean install of Mavericks. I did this due to persistant problems with disc permissions that I could not eliminate.
2) I did not want to take a chance on introducing problems with migrating a profile from my Time Machine backup so instead of using Migration Assistant, I used Finder to browse the Time Machine backup I made prior to reformatting my drive to simply copy all my necessary data files back onto the drive in my newly created profile.
3) I've reinstalled the majority of programs I use and everything is looking good (no disk permission problems when I've checked using Disk Utility).
4) Mail is working just find with all my accounts having been restored using my Apple ID.
Here's the problem....
I forgot that some of my mail had been stored on my local hard drive. I beleive this mail should be in my user/library/mail folder of my time machine backup. However, I cannot access my User/Library folder in Time Machine. I've tried opening my current (new) User/Library folder in Finder and then selecting "Browse Other Backup Discs" from the Time Machine icon and, although this opens the Time Machine backups, I cannot do any time travel...in other words, although there are many stacks of folders shown in the backup, I cannot move into the past from the present.
Any suggestions on how I can get this Mail folder out of the Time Machine user/library? I know there is some stuff there that I'm going to have to get to.
Thanks!

It woked to get me into my current User/Library of my "new" profile but I cannot move back in time into the actual backups despite the timeline increments on the right side of the screen in Time Machine showing they're are backups for the past several months. I'm stuck on this moment so to speak.
Got to hit the sack...head is swimming. Thanks for the suggestions Barney. Let me know if you think of any others.

Show library folder in finder

how do i show the Library folder in Finder. where can i read about what the Library does and what it holds.

madnaar wrote:
... where can i read about what the Library does and what it holds.
The Library in your home directory is usually where your preferences are stored (mostly in Preferences). This is generally also where other additional data programs create are save Application Support). There's many other folders too for Documents, Movies, personal preference panels, widgets, screen savers, and so on.
Note that there is another Library folder in the boot directory with similar goals but that is for system wide data as opposed to the one in your home directory which is specific to your account only.
There's also a third Library I won't discuss that belongs to the OS.

~/Library folder in Time Machine backups

Dear readers,
I have run into a somewhat weird problem with the ~/Library folder in my Lion Time Machine Backups.
I have made the folder visible for my normal user through Terminal and I can see it sitting in my user just fine.
However, if I want to manually copy Mail and Mail Downloads from my Lion Time Machine backup I cannot seem to make the ~/Library folder visible in my TM Backup.
I have tried to directly link to the hidden folder, but this doesn't work either.
Anyone who has the solution to this one?
Help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you.

Thank you for your fast reply;
Does this also work in Backups that have not been linked to a fresh install yet, ergo: The Time Machine disk is seen by Lion as a normal external HDD.
Say for example I wish to manually place files back due to a corrupted user, I will still not be able to see the /Library folder in my Time machine backup...

Show Library Folder in Lion

How to I show the Library Folder for my accounts?

For each account, log into it, and run this command in the Terminal app:
chflags nohidden ~/Library
27" i7 iMac 10.6 , Mac OS X (10.7.1), G4 450 MP 1.5 GB RAM w/(10.5.8/10.4.11/9.2.2)

How to unhide Library folder on external drive?

OK, I've researched this online, but still can't get it to work. Some help pls. I backed up my internal hard drive to an external hard drive. Using Finder, I cannot see the Library folder on the external drive. I assume it is there, but hidden. I am trying to unhide it. The name of the external volume is PNY BACKUP, with a space between the Y and B. The external drive is not formatted to be bootable. My user name is thomas.
First attempt: I pointed Finder at the PNY BACKUP drive, then clicked on View > Show View Options. The Show Library Folder does not appear as an option. I assume this is because the drive is not formatted as bootable?
Second attempt: I opened Terminal and typed these two commands:
cd /Volumes/PNY\ BACKUP/Users/thomas
chflags nohidden /Library
I did not recieve any error messages in Terminal, so I assumed that the commands worked ok. Note that I used a backslash to tell Terminal to ignore the space after the Y in the volume name. If I omit the backslash, I get a "directory does not exist" error in Terminal. I closed Finder and unmounted the volume, then remounted it and opened Finder. But I still was not able to see the Library folder on the external drive. Any hints on what I am doing wrong? Thx

Try this command:
chflags nohidden /Volumes/PNY\ BACKUP/Users/thomas/Library
Here are some other examples of external drives:
Drive Name: Mac HD Clone
chflags nohidden /Volumes/Mac\ HD\ Clone/Users/diane/Library
Drive Name: 3TB Seagate Clone MTL
chflags nohidden /Volumes/3TB\ Seagate\ Clone\ MTL/Users/diane/Library
Drive Name: Mavericks
chflags nohidden /Volumes/Mavericks/Users/diane/Library

Missing Library Folder after 10.9.4 update

I recently competed the 10.9.4 Update on my MacBook Pro, and have since lost access to the Library Folder. It used to be located on my computer in the following.
/Users/{User Name}/Library/Application Support/{Application}/{File Name}
Has anyone had success in retrieving this folder? I am able to still save content to this folder, however it is not there for me to access the folder.

Thanks benwiggy. I have just installed Illustrator CS6 and am working my way through the lessons and have not been able to locate the Preferences file until now ... have spent ages on the internet trying to find the solution. Many people were suggesting doing the "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES" solution. I was a little nervous doing this so carried on looking. Eventually found your suggestion of "Go To Folder and type ~/Library" and it worked! MANY THANKS!
Btw I couldn't do it via the Show View Options and Show Library Folder - I wasn't able to see that option ....
Anyway, thanks.

I need to access one folder in user library folder from my time machine backup......but it won't show a library folder

I need to access one folder in user library folder from my time machine backup......but the backup disk won't show show a library folder.
Pressing option-go only directs me to the current library folder in my hard drive. I have opened up the saved disk image and need to copy one folder and put it into my current library. Trying to restore using time capsule won't let me into the user library either......
thanks in advance for any help
christos

The Saved Application State folder is where Lion stores all the information required for its resume feature to function as it does. As you are looking for a specific saved game folder it will not be in the Saved Application State folder. This folder was not present in Snow Leopard so wouldn't be present on your backup previous to the Lion install.
The game saves you're looking for will most likely be located in the Application Support or Preferences folder.
Hope this helps
J.C

Old version of FF died, downloaded new, would not launch, created new profile (did NOT show any old profiles, did NOT delete an old profile). Looked for old profile, none seem to exist. Nothing in library folder. Help. Need those bookmarks back!

managed to open the terminal app, and create a new profile. Went looking for older profile and ...nothing. there is NO firefox/mozilla folder in library/application support. I searched for "firefox" on the hd and didnt recognize anything that could/would be the profile folder. i did search my trash as well. help please :-(

You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:
*Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder
In Mac OS X v10.7, the $HOME/Library folder is a hidden folder.
Open Finder and use one of these:
* Go > Go To Folder (Shift-Command-G) and in the dialog type: ~/Library
* Open the "Go" menu and hold down the Option key to make the Library appear
You can also use this command in a Terminal window to remove the hidden flag.
* Mac HD > Applications > Utilities > Terminal
* chflags nohidden ~/Library
* http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/909/cpsid_90947.html Access hidden user library files

My library folder shows no files? Help!

Hi Guys,
Ever since updating to mavericks I am having real trouble with my library folder.
Have looked on various threads for solutions (including ticking the box in view options and holding option on the 'Go' panel).
Library is now showing on my hd but is blank and there are no files...
Help most appreciated!

for the fan: Try a SMC reset: Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
the WD drive:
WD drives have software that comes on the drive that is incompatible with Mavericks.
The WD software that comes with the drive, that they want you to install on your mac, is also incompatible with Mavericks.
Some WD drives have firmware in the drive enclosure that is also incompatible with Mavericks.
The software in 1 & 2 is unnecessary in the first place.
I would uninstall the WD software on your Mac if you installed it.
Take the drive back for a refund if you can.
You might be able to get the drive to mount on a PC and then erase it.
or maybe the drive has just failed mechanically. if it hasn't, you might be able to repair it with Techtool Pro 7 enough to get it to mount on your Mac. Sometimes TechTool can repair a drive when Disk Utility can't.
try a new USB cable.
If your drive is one of those with the incompatible firmware, you could check the WD site for a firmware update. If you trust WD (I wouldn't). Another option is to remove the drive from the enclosure and put it in another (non-WD) enclosure, which is not too difficult, if you know how to use a screwdriver. I found an enclosure for five bucks in the bargain bin at Office Max.
regarding the mystery empty Library folder: I'd do a backup and then reinstall Mavericks.

How can I delete a file from an invisible Library folder on a backup

Somehow, when installing RealPlayer I managed to get something called RealNetwork (a Folder full of files) installed in my User Library. It was 395.62 GB so must have been some sort of malware. I was able to find it and delete it from my hard drive. BUT I had backed up my hard drive to a non-bootable backup the day before so that file is still in the invisible Library folder on that drive, taking up almost 400 GB there, too.
Does anyone know how to delete it from the backup drive since I can't boot that drive?
I'm using Mavericks 10.9 on a MacBookPro with a 2T Seagate backup drive.

Here's what I just did. I went to the Go menu and pressed Recent Folders, and in the command box typed a path that should have taken me to the backup drive user library folder, and it did. So thank you. I managed to figure out from what you said, something to do, though I still struggle with the techno-babble. It seems the folder that was 395.62 GB that should have been backed up to this drive is not that size on the backup, but only 28.88 GB. I deleted it anyway.
So, now I'm back to figuring out what just ate up so much of my backup drive so suddenly, and in about the same amount as removed from my internal drive. I still suspect I'll find that folder somewhere.

HELP! Copied the iPhoto Library folder to backup, but files are smaller

Help! To get more space on my laptop, I copied some photos to a backup hard drive, following the instructions in iPhoto help: "Copy the iPhoto Library folder on your hard disk to another disk." I then deleted many of the photos from my laptop.
Now I'm looking at the photo files on the backup hard drive, and noticing that they are much smaller in size than the originals, for example 45 KB versus 1.1 MB. I tried a test photo by copying a photo from the hard drive back into iPhoto on my laptop, then opened the photo next to the original. Much smaller resolution!
Then I go to the laptop's iPhoto Library Folder (where all the photos are supposed to reside) and find this particular photo, and sure enough, it shows that the file size is indeed much smaller (45 KB) than the photo information shows when I have the photo open in iPhoto (1.1 MB).
So what's going on? Have I lost the detailed information on all of the backed-up photos, or does iPhoto get more information from somewhere? Am I really backing up everything when I follow the iPhoto Help instructions and just copy the iPhoto Library Folder?

Welcome to the Apple Discussions. It sounds as if you copied the Data folder only which contains the thumbnail files. If you don't have a backup or the entire library or the original files I'm afraid you're out of luck. You could try recovering them from the HD (if you haven't used it much since deleting the image files) with SubrosaSoft FileSalvage. It will let your run it in demo mode to see what files, if any, can be recovered before you have to purchase it.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
Note: There's now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

Apple loops for garageband pack doesn't show the folder content (loops, files...) in ableton live suite 8 library browser, but I can see all the loops in the folder from finder. how can i fix this? help please.

apple loops for garageband pack doesn't show the folder content (loops, files...) in ableton live suite 8 library browser, but I can see all the loops in the folder from finder. how can i fix this? help please.

Thanks Barney, I tried that but all that comes up in Spotlight are the log files that show the file paths! I don't know how Steam works. Are all the files held by Steam on their server perhaps?

How to show the Library folder in an external hard drive

Hi there,
I am trying to restore the Skype Chat History to my new computer.
My old hard drive crashed and had to be replaced. Unfortunately my back-up Time Machine file was corrupted due to fact that this is a VERY EASY thing to happen and hence I DO NOT recommend that anyone uses Time Machine through a wirelessly connected hard drive, such as a Time Capsule - a very bad design flaw!
Luckily I am able to access some of the files on the old hard driave that was removed from my laptop. However I can not find a Skype folder or the Application support folder under my user name. Because it is an external drive, I can not use the techniques that have been suggested in other posts (such as using Terminal to permanently show the Library folder or using the Option key).
Can you please help me!?

Open a Finder window and choose the external drive with the user folder in the Finder sidebar. Then, make sure you see your user folder in the Finder window, because you will need it.
Now, open Terminal (in /Applications/Utilities) and type:
chflags nohidden
After typing that, press the Space key and drag your user folder from the Finder window to your Terminal window, and after dragging it, now type after the dragged folder (without space):
/Library
In Terminal you should see:
chflags nohidden (yourdraggeduserfolder)/Library
Finally, press the Enter key and the Library folder will show up

I lost an xcel doc. Tried to find the Library folder in Users not there when use Finder. But when trying to upload a photo, iphoto found the library folder I can see my doc in Office 2011 Autorecov, but can't access it! How do I get User to show Library

I lost an xcel doc a couple of days ago. Tried to find the Library folder in Users but not there when I use Finder (even when I do shift-command-G). But when trying to upload a photo in iphoto I found the library folder in Users. I can see my doc in Office 2011 Autorecovery, but can't access it! How do I get User to show Library then I can get to my long lost document?

The auto recovery dat should be in the Microsoft User Data folder in your documents folder, not in the Library. However, I Haven't had to look recently.

Show Library Folder on non-TM backup

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