Name: Houdini
Rating: 3.85 (40 reviews)

Free

Absolutely Free

Houdini overview

Houdini is a simply designed app to let you take full advantage of Mac OS X's "hidden folder" and "hidden file" ability. It allows you to create, access, move, reveal or delete hidden folders and files.

Features

Full mastery of hidden files in OS X
The ability to toggle the visibility of hidden files with the "Toggle File Visibility" button
The ability to browse hidden files with the "Browse Hidden Files" button
Use keyboard shortcuts to toggle hidden files
Create new hidden folders and drag files into them via Houdini
Open hidden files through Houdini
Create hidden text files with Houdini
Explore system files and the music on iPods using Houdini
Reveal your hidden files and see them again

What’s new in version 1.0

Updated on Jan 18 2011

Version 1.0:

Note: Although Finder indicates that this is version 1.0, the developer states that this is version 3.0.2.

OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard now supported

Information

License

Free

Size

731 KB

Developer’s website

https://sites.google.com/site/elementninety3/houdini

Downloads

366012

App requirements

Intel 32
PPC 32
Mac OS X 10.4 or later

0.0

(0 Reviews of )

There are no reviews yet

idlewild

Aug 30 2011

1.0

Version: 1.0

I'm getting a crash when I run Houdini 1.0; any idea when you'll have this compatible with Lion? This software is really useful, thanks for creating it!

SickTeddyBear

Jul 8 2011

FYI, this app is a universal Intel/PPC binary.

smedinar

Mar 23 2011

4.0

I loved this app because everytime i want to open some flash memory and i delete a file it goes to a .Trashes file (which is hidden) but the deleted file stays there so i can't permanently delete it because of the 'hidden' issue only in a PC... which I hate (to depend on a PC) The problem in my case was that I could see the hidden file but i couldn't delete it, hope you can help me with this problem. Ty!! :))

Beige

Jan 18 2011

you might want to change the name of this software. Houdini is a well known 3D program and it's at version 11 (sidefx.com). If this gets popular, you'll probably be getting a letter from some lawyers.

cmotdibbler

I was just looking for an app like this for my new MBP. I wanted to make an easy-to-find (yet hidden) file with my contact info in case the machine gets stolen and the thief takes it in for reformatting. Hardly foolproof and there are many other sophisticated methods but thieves are not always so bright. This app made it easy to create a hidden folder.

Ausfahrt

Jul 20 2010

3.0.1

Version: 3.0.1

On 10.6.4, iMac, Toggle File Visibility returns an error every time: AppleScript Error: The domain/default pair of (com.apple.Finder, AppleShowAllFiles) does not exist (1) Also, when I try to reveal any folder, it says "An error occurred: The file you selected is already visible", when clearly from finder it is not. Tested on usr and iPod_Control. Basically, I haven't seen anything that this program can do correctly. Am I doing something wrong? It wouldn't have five stars if it doesn't work at all.

Grlgeek

Jul 19 2010

5.0

This app saved me time and a reboot. I kept getting a "A copy of Firefox is already open" messages after a hang and force quit, though the application didn't show up in the list of what was running. A Google search told me which hidden profile file was creating the problem, but I didn't really want to switch hidden file view on for the entire machine from the terminal. Houdini let me find and delete the file and get my browser back up and running without rebooting the machine. Thank you, thank you, thank you! (The machine is running Snow Leopard, and the download provided here worked just fine.)

DCT

Jun 10 2010

Great app. My antivirus software found a virus in a hidden virtual memory directory and was unable to quarantine the file. I was about to go into Terminal to find the culprit when I thought, there must be "an app for that" and I found this little jewel, and FREE at that. Problem solved, and my antivirus software and system security is happy again. Thank you to the developer!

Maclover1-1

Jan 4 2010

I wonder if people who do not back up actually brush their teeth ?!

Xenophile

Oct 7 2009

PPC version?

Slrman

Sep 29 2009

"Like any true Mac user, I had failed to back up my files" This is NOT like a true Mac user. I think anyone that isn't smart enough to back up their files isn't smart enough to write any program I want on my system. So anyone that thinks about it will give this program a wide berth.

Papster

Jun 3 2009

3.0

Version: 3.0

Unfortunately Houdini will not open on my Mac running OS 10.4.11. Unzipping Houdini download produces a faded folder icon: trying to open it triggers a message that it is not supported on my system. Can anyone explain what the problem might be, and how I might get round it? Thanks.

Kiratra-Promsaka-Na-Sakolnakorn

May 26 2009

I accidentally delete a file that I had hidden using Houdini. How do i get it back? Pls help

Elegraphy

May 13 2009

Anytime we're going to see UB version soon?

RogerKatz

Apr 29 2009

MacUpdate download problems I am unable to download this program via this page. I only get a download that takes me back to this same page. Despite the fact that I have successfully downloaded many, many, dozens of programs via MacUpdate, I have had this problem at the following specific MacUpdate pages: ID 27604 (ie., iTubeX Ultimate) ID 29994 (ie., iClip Lyrics) ID 30886 (ie., Pod to Mac) ID 26729 (ie., Houdini)

Maxdelta

Mar 14 2009

2.1

Version: 2.1

Hudini worked beautifully for me. I was using time machine on my sisters computer when it came up with an error message saying some file like .30056cdi(blah blah) had some priviledge problem. Using hudini I was able to uncover this file, delete it and get time machine working again... The problem I have now is that all the normally hidden files are now no longer hidden and I don't want my sister deleting something that she shouldn't. When time machine finishes I am hoping to find away of re hidding them,,

Wkdixon

Feb 20 2009

I just used Houdini 2.1 on my Mac Pro 10.5.6 It showed me the hidden files but whenever I try to delete one a new file takes its place. I now have a DS Store file on my Desktop that I can't remove. Plus, all of my folders have reverted to "View As Icon"! Am I doing something wrong or is this a bug? Thanks WKDixon

Mndel

Jan 9 2009

I just used 2.1 on my G4 10.4.11 - it allowed me to salvage 6 gigs of hidden files no other app I found could get at. Its 'move' feature was the trick.Thanks much!

Tbtalbott

Oct 13 2008

In Leopard 10.5.5 I'm getting the following error when I click the icon for Toggle File Visibility: AppleScript Error The variable zerothchoice is not defined. (-2753) Thanks, -Tom

Quasimodo

Bug: When I click the Toggle File Visibility button, I get an AppleScript Error: "The variable zerothchoice is not defined. (-2753)". Annoyance: When I click the Hide file button and select a file to hide, it does indeed disappear, with an alert that I will be able to view the file only through the Houdini application. What the alert does not say is that the file is renamed with an leading period, a piece of information that is crucial to finding the file again. This app could really use a Help file or at least some documentation.