What is the usr folder?
- How To Find Library Folder On Mac
- How To Find Library Folder Mac
- How To Find Area
- How To Find Volume
Apple operating systems are constructed using a Linux file system hierarchy, which means that traditional UNIX system directories hide certain files and directories. Unlike Applications or Documents or Downloads, some files and folders are hidden by default by the Mac operating system (macOS).
2020-4-6 How to view a Mac's /Library folder. There are three ways to easily view your hidden /Library/ folder. In macOS Sierra Apple added a Finder keyboard shortcut that. 2020-4-2 With the release of Mac OS X Lion way back in 2011, Apple removed easy access to the user’s Library folder. Although arguably well-intentioned, this change was frustrating for longtime Mac.
MacOS hides these for good reason. When buildings are constructed, wiring and plumbing is hidden behind walls. As a general rule, exposing anything that could have a serious negative impact on a building if it was accidentally damaged or tampered with is considered a good idea. The same is true of usr and var and other folders and directories.
Usr used to mean “everything user related”, but over time this has evolved into “user usable programs and data.” What this means is, the usr contains shareable, read-only data, and often contains the largest share of behind-the-scenes data on any operating system. Within the usr is user-land programs and data is contained, such as user binaries, their documentation, libraries, header files, and other read-only programs and associated data.
Generally speaking, because these folders and directories are behind the scenes, most users - even Mac power users - don't need to know about them or gain access. Similar to plumbing and wiring, it is enough to know they're running smoothly and only to gain access if you know what you’re doing, or let an Apple trained expert take a look using diagnostic software to see if there are any problems within the usr files and directories.
Another way to make sure everything is working smoothly under the hood is to download a Mac performance improvement app, such as CleanMyMac X. It can take a quick look at what is taking up too much space on your hard drive, with its Space Lens feature. Once CleanMyMac X has analysed your files and directories, including those that are hidden from view, you can delete what it recommends and regain the space you need for your Mac to run smoothly and quickly.
With the Space Lens tool, you can also access the usr folder and see how much space it takes on your Mac and what files it includes. First, you have download and install CleanMyMac X and then follow such steps:
- Launch the app.
- Go to the Space Lens tab.
- Click Scan.
- Find usr folder in the list.
- Double click to review the files.
However, if you prefer the manual way of looking behind-the-scenes, here is how you can access the usr folder on a Mac.
How to access the usr folder: The manual way
If you want to access the usr folder, there are a couple of ways you can do that.
1. Navigate to the usr through the Finder
- Open Finder.
- Press Command+Shift+G to open the dialogue box.
- Enter what you want to search for, e.g. /usr or /usr/discreet.
- Now you should have temporary access, and this means that you should be able to drag the folder into the Finder favourites bar for easier access in the future.
Another way to gain access is through Terminal.
2. Finding usr in Terminal
- Launch Terminal; which you can find in /Applications/Utilities
- Enter this command in Terminal:
chflags nohidden ~/usr - (If nothing shows up under that name, try /Library as an alternative)
- Click Return. Make sure the command is executed.
- Quit Terminal. The usr folder should be visible in the Finder.
- If you ever want to restore this to how it was before enter the following command in Terminal:
chflags hidden ~/usr - Click Return again and it should be back to how it was.
Only attempt this method if you are comfortable using Terminal. Remember, using Terminal can make significant changes to your macOS systems and files, so only make changes this way if you consider yourself a Mac power users. This method should temporarily uncover the usr folder.
Accessing the usr folder is often only necessary if you are looking for ways to improve the performance or speed of your Mac. Thankfully, there is an easier way. Downloading CleanMyMac X can solve a lot of problems, quickly and safely, without any risk of causing accidental damage. It comes with a useful Space Lens feature, since one reason a Mac doesn't perform as well as it once did is a result of files taking up too much space, or duplicate files, folders or apps. And identifying what is causing space issues is the job that CleanMyMac X does so well. See for yourself!
Just like the Windows operating system, the MacOS operating system has a hidden Library folder full of settings you shouldn’t really touch. Deleting some or all of these settings will at best force you to reinstall certain apps, and at worst, cause the whole system to collapse and require a complete reinstall.
But there may be times when accessing the Library folder is necessary. For example, many apps put backups in the Library folder and you may want to back up the backup. Or you might be customising your Mac, which will need access to certain library folders.
Here is how to get there and not cause your Mac to collapse in a cloud of dust in the process.
What Is The Library Folder On MacOS?
The library folder is the area of your MacOS computer where app settings are stored. When you install a program, a folder is created in the Library for all of the essential settings. This can be anything from plugins, preference files and log files.
It’s hidden because basically some people are just plain clumsy and quite often don’t know what they are deleting. It’s only when it’s too late when they realise that something they just deleted should have been kept.
So you could say that Apple is protecting you against your own worst impulses!
How To Find The Hidden Library Folder On MacOS
There are two ways to get to the hidden Library folder if you are confident enough of not triggering a nuclear apocalypse. But the second way is only really feasible when you know where to look.
First Method (The Easiest)
Go to Finder and drop down the “Go” menu. You’ll see that the Library folder is not listed.
How To Find Library Folder On Mac
To make the Library folder appear, press the “Alt” key (also known as the Option key) at the bottom left of your keyboard. The Library folder will now appear.
Click on the Library folder option to be taken straight to the folder.
The problem though with this method is that this is very temporary. As soon as you take your finger off the alt key, the Library folder will disappear again.
Second Method (Not Difficult)
Once you know the path to the folder (by following the previous method), you can then use the path to go directly to the Library folder.
How To Find Library Folder Mac
At the top of the Library folder, you will see the exact path (location) of the folder on your computer.
I have covered over my username in the screenshot, but the path is :
With that in mind, go back to Finder’s Go menu and at the bottom, you’ll see this option :
Choosing “Go to Folder” will bring up a box where you can type the path to the Library folder. Hitting the “enter” key will then take you straight there.
Even better, until you input the path to a different folder, the path to the Library will remain in the “Go to Folder” box.
When it is gone, dropping down the menu arrow on the right hand side will show you a list of previous folders you went to, and the Library one will be there too.
Conclusion
How To Find Area
There used to be a way to keep the Library folder showing permanently. But as of High Sierra, the Terminal command no longer seems to work.
How To Find Volume
However, keeping the folder permanently visible isn’t a good idea since you might delete a system-critical file. Besides, as you have just seen, it is not difficult at all to go to the folder when you need it.