Remember the good old days–basically 4 months ago–when you could search for a specific preference file in spotlight? Since Leopard’s release, some users have been noticing that this rather simple functionality has strangely disappeared in Leopard. But has it really?
Try a little experiment: Open the “preferences” folder in your “user/library/” directory. Pick out a preference file–let’s try “com.apple.iChatAgent.plist.” Now, close the preferences window, and go up to the spotlight icon in the upper right hand corner of your desktop. Try searching for “ichatagent.” Oddly, the preference file in question will not show up.
So how can you find a specific preference file if this is true? Well, the good news is that it can be accomplished in a couple of different ways (one of which involves tailoring search criteria using the optional pull-downs), but here’s a quick and dirty solution:
Let’s stay with the “ichatagent” example: First, you’ll need to drill down to the “library” folder in your user directory. Now enter “ichatagent” in the search field in the upper right hand area of the window. You’ll notice that the window goes blank with no results. Fear not: simply select “Search: Library” instead of “this Mac” in the thin gray bar above the search results field.
Voila! There’s “com.apple.iChatAgent.plist,” right where it should be.
So, the next time you need to find a specific preference file, remember you’ll have to actually be in your “library” folder (or the “Preferences” folder itself) to find it. A little odd, but at least you know you can still find those files!
Note: As mentioned above, there is another viable method that can be used to find your pref files which involves using the search criteria pull-downs and then (optionally) saving the search for later use. Although I prefer the method here, it’s always matter of personal taste!
December 25th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Or much easier. From any location, just click the + button to add another search requirement, select “System files”, and then “include”. Too
December 26th, 2007 at 2:07 am
Whizz–thanks for that info! lol I personally prefer the above method to using the pulldown to go to “other” (”system files” is not initially selectable), and selecting your search item criteria. Yes, I know, I know, I’m splitting hairs… lol
While I like this method, everyone should do what’s quickest for them! I’ll add your nugget to the post.
December 26th, 2007 at 2:18 am
Maybe I’m missing something here, but it seems like having to know where a file is located (being in the prefs folder) to search for something seems like a weird way of going about things.
The questions here is why doesn’t Leopard find any file, anywhere if you have a portion of the name typed into search field? Previous versions of OS X did so.
December 26th, 2007 at 2:22 am
Guy: I understand where you’re coming from, that’s initially how I felt–but Leopard DOES find every file, don’t worry. And, whizzkid’s alternative method of using the search criteria shows you can indeed find just about any file from anywhere on your mac
However, I agree that the bigger question is why you just can’t do this without having to do ANYTHING, like we did in Panther! perhaps Apple feels that system files are too “dangerous” to find right off the bat for your average user? lol
December 26th, 2007 at 6:59 am
Ah! Is there any way to default the searches for File Names and not Content?
-Thx!
December 29th, 2007 at 3:54 am
@ rocksockm: you’re probably right there, but IMO that’s why we have guest accounts. as administrator i don’t want to be limited by default when i search under Leopard.
Suppose someone misses a file on his mac, and doesn’t know here he (accidentally) put it, how can you know for sure that file is gone? This feels like step backwards for Spotlight…..
December 29th, 2007 at 7:47 am
I am new to Mac and keep seeing references to to search for specific types of files. ie Kind: and puting “” around to find exact phrases etc. Is there a reference page with all of these things in one place?
Thanks
December 29th, 2007 at 7:51 am
I just answered part of my own question. Here is a helpful article with much of what I asked for :
http://www.mcelhearn.com/article.php?story=20071114093450231
Not a quick reference chart but it helps
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:09 am
I hate this “feature” in Leopard’s Spotlight. I just switched to using Google Desktop for Mac.
http://desktop.google.com/mac/
January 9th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I totally agree with the posters who prefer to have Search left as it was. If I am an Admin level account on the Mac, I don’t want to have to jump through hoops to search for things. The idea of having to specify the specific folder to search in kind of misses the point of search in the first place. I may be giving Google Desktop search a look as well. This is going backwards in my opinion. If Apple wants to have search perform this way under Standard accounts, fine, but not Admin accounts.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I agree wholeheartedly, Aj. That’s the point of the “trick” posted here: I posted it to “circumvent” the rather annoying issues that have come to light with the new version of Spotlight. Many people in Apple’s support forums have been asking “what happened to my preference files,” so this was one way of “band-aiding” that.
I wonder if some of the Spotlight complaints have made their way into the many fixes coming in 10.5.2?