Proprietary format hidden file
Also known as Desktop Services Store · DS_Store
13 statements · 8% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations
5 identifiers linking .DS_Store across the web's reference databases
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.DS_Store is a file generated by macOS that stores custom attributes of its containing folder, such as folder view options, icon positions, and other visual information. The name is an abbreviation of Desktop Services Store, reflecting its purpose. It is created and maintained by the Finder application in every folder, and has functions similar to the file desktop.ini in Microsoft Windows. Starting with a period . character, it is hidden in Finder and many Unix utilities. Its internal structure is proprietary, but has been reverse-engineered. Starting with macOS 10.12 16A238m, Finder does not display .DS_Store files, even if enabled by defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES in Terminal to show hidden system files.