Apple - Permanently enable to show hidden/system files when searching in Finder
To see hidden files
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
Then re-launch the Finder.
Per the tutorial,
- CMD-F to bring up the Finder search window.
- Make sure "This Mac" is selected.
- Click "Kind", choose "Other...", and double-click the "System Files" entry.
Update: if you click the "In Menu" checkbox to the right of the "System Files" entry, "System Files" will also be added as an option in the "Kind" dropdown list. - Click the "aren't included" dropdown, and select "are included".
This time, though,
- click the "Save" button at the right, just under the "Search" box.
- Change the default name to something descriptive, but short, like
SearchAll.savedSearch
. - Make sure "Add to Sidebar" is checked.
- Click "Save".
Now, when you want to search all the files:
- Click on the "SearchAll" sidebar item.
- Enter your desired search term (such as Helvetica, as in the tutorial).
- Click "Name matches", if that's what you want, or press Enter.
Voilà! Now you can easily search even those hidden/system files!