How to access hidden folders

  • Live Versions: All
  • Operating System: All

Live stores and writes important files in system folders which are usually hidden by default on your operating system. In case you need to access them (for example to reset Live) here's how to find them:

Mac

Live files are usually stored in three locations, the Application Support, Caches and Preferences folders contained within the user level Library on Mac (Macintosh HD/Users/[your username]/Library).

Depending on the operating system installed on your Mac, use the appropriate method from those listed below to find the Library folder:

macOS 15 Sequoia

  1. Open the Finder
  2. Navigate to your user’s home folder
  3. Click on View in the menu bar
  4. Select Show View Options
  5. In the panel that appears, check the box next to “Show Library Folder”

This new setting will make the Library folder permanently visible in your home folder, even after restarting your Mac. If you prefer not to make the Library folder permanently visible, you can still access it using either of these alternative methods:

  • In Finder, use the keyboard shortcut Command+Shift+G, then type ~/Library and press Return.
  • Open Finder, click on Go in the menu bar, select “Go to Folder,” type ~/Library, and click Go.

macOS 14 Sonoma and earlier

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Click "Go" on the menu bar.
  3. Press and hold the “option/alt” key.
  4. Click the "Library" shortcut which appears.
  5. Then navigate to the relevant folder (Application Support, Caches or Preferences)

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Windows

Live files are usually stored in two locations, the Roaming and Local folders contained within the AppData folder (Users\[your username]\AppData\)

To open the AppData folder on Windows 10, 8 & 7:

  1. Open File Explorer/Windows Explorer
  2. Type %AppData% into the address bar and hit enter
  3. Navigate to the required folder (Roaming or Local)

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To permanently display all hidden folders on Windows 10 & 8:

  1. Open File Explorer/Windows Explorer
  2. Click View then select Options
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  3. In the Folder Options window, choose View, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and then click OK
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To permanently display all hidden folders on Windows 7:

  1. Select the Start button, then select Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization.
  2. Select Folder Options, then select the View tab.
  3. Under Advanced settings, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and then select OK:

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