OS X 10.9.3 bug hides '/Users' folder, easy fix available via Terminal
Some who upgraded to OS X 10.9.3 this week have found that the update mistakenly hides the system's "/Users" folder at the top level of their hard drive. But the bug can be addressed with a quick and easy fix.
OS X 10.9.3 hit the Mac App Store on Thursday, and after updating to the latest version of Mavericks, some users discovered the new bug. The "/Users" folder remains active on the person's hard drive, but for some reason it is hidden on some machines.
A fix for the problem was highlighted on Friday by The Loop, in which users simply need to type in a single command in Terminal via OS X. Just open Spotlight search in the top right corner,, type in "Terminal" and open the application, then enter the following command:
OS X 10.9.3 hit the Mac App Store on Thursday, and after updating to the latest version of Mavericks, some users discovered the new bug. The "/Users" folder remains active on the person's hard drive, but for some reason it is hidden on some machines.
A fix for the problem was highlighted on Friday by The Loop, in which users simply need to type in a single command in Terminal via OS X. Just open Spotlight search in the top right corner,, type in "Terminal" and open the application, then enter the following command:
For those uncomfortable with terminal, a more complicated and less permanent method is also available:sudo chflags nohidden /Users
- Open a Finder window and select the "Go" menu, then choose "Go to Folder"
- Once the dialog appears, type "/Users" (without quotes) and click the "Go" button
- Control-click on the "/Users" folder and select "Make Alias"
Comments
If you are going to copy stories, at least get the whole story. The "fix" is temporary and will revert when you restart. See Mac Rumors for more details.
Is it a bug or was it intentional?
Aha, I thought it was odd that I couldn't see it. Hopefully a proper fix will arrive soon.
The fix isn't temporary because they instruct you to create an alias of your User folder which will not be hidden.
Yesterday I would have said this was intentional, like with /Library, but knowing that's it not affecting all those updating to 10.9.3 I'd say it has to be a bug at some level.
That’s hardly an actual fix. It’s a workaround for something that shouldn’t be happening at all.
It's a bug... It only happens when you upgrade to the latest version of iTunes and have "Find My Mac" enabled. Has nothing to do with the OS upgrade, which is why some people aren't affected.
Totally wrong. The fix isn't permanent, and the alias fix doesn't work. If anyone had bothered to try it, they would know it doesn't work.
When you go to /Users, a window opens showing the CONTENTS of the Users folder, not the folder itself. When control-click the icon for Users at the top of the Window, you don't get the option to make an alias.
This is also true if you add Users to the Sidebar or the Dock; you don't get an option to make an alias with either of those.
BUT...you can hold down the COMMAND and OPTION keys, and while keeping them held down, drag the Users icon from the top of the window to your Desktop, and an alias will be made there.
Of course, if you then try to move that alias to the root level of your hard drive, you'll get the error message "[t]he item 'Users' can't be replaced because it's invisible."
It sure would be nice if Macrumors and The Loop would check these things before posting them.
It doesn't fix Apple's bug but it fixes the problem for anyone needing to access to their /Users folder items from within Finder at the root of their directory. The only visible different is a tiny little black arrow in the bottom left corner of the icon denoting it's an alias. This isn't /UsersGate and it's not a reason people should avoid updating.
It's a bug... It only happens when you upgrade to the latest version of iTunes and have "Back to my Mac" enabled. Has nothing to do with the OS upgrade, which is why some people aren't affected.
I don't have Back to My Mac enabled, and it happened to me.
I don't have Back to My Mac enabled, and it happened to me.
Oops... Sorry, my bad...
It's actually, "Find My Mac"
Holy shit!
1) Yes, it has been tested and does work.
2) Here's a fucking picture of the option to make an alias.
3) Here's a fucking picture of the alias after it was created and it accessing the contents of the folder.
4) Here's a fucking picture of the /Users folder in the sidebar and it accessing the contents of the folder.
5) It sounds like you're trying to create an alias with the exact same name as your Folder while residing in the same folder as the hidden item.
6) If you're going to go through so much stupid shit just to have an alias that also is named, exactly, Users then why not just take the 2 minutes to make the simple script that will unhide the /Users folder every time your machine boots up?
Oh, in that case.
Now you’ve done it. We’ll see it on CNN tonight and they’ll pronounce the slash.