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Category Archive: xattr

Documentation of extended attributes (xattrs) in macOS.

xattr: com.apple.metadata:kMDItemDescription, arbitrary information about a file

Sometimes used by creators to give a description of the file in plain text.

December 22, 2017 xattr

xattr: com.apple.metadata:kMDItemCreator, records the app which created a file

Gives the normal Finder name of the app which created or edited a file. Doesn’t give its path or signature, though.

December 22, 2017 xattr

xattr: com.apple.metadata:kMDItemDownloadedDate, the download datestamp

Contains a binary date-timestamp for a downloaded file. Valuable for establishing the origins of files.

December 21, 2017 xattr

xattr: com.apple.metadata:kMDItemWhereFroms, origin of downloaded file

Records the original URL from which a file was downloaded. Valuable for establishing the origins of files.

December 21, 2017 xattr

xattr: com.apple.metadata:kMDItemCopyright, records copyright info

Contains arbitrary copyright information which remains ‘sticky’ and is not stripped when most metadata are removed from files.

December 20, 2017 xattr

Finder Info: how Sierra and High Sierra remember Classic Mac OS

The Desktop and Finder illusions rely on files having a type and creator, and an icon association. These were kept in the Desktop Database, and are now the responsibility of Launch Services.

December 20, 2017 Macs, Technology, xattr

xattr: com.apple.LaunchServices.OpenWith, sets a custom app to open a file

Used to override the global mapping for any given file type, this reflects the Finder’s individual setting for a document.

December 20, 2017 xattr

xattr: com.apple.FinderInfo, information for the Finder

Contains the legacy file type and creator information dating back to Classic Mac OS, plus 24 bytes of undocumented flags. Very common.

December 19, 2017 xattr

There’s something wrong with that file: could it be a xattr issue?

T T Read More

There’s something wrong with that file, which seems to keep crashing an app. When you can’t put your finger on what’s wrong, it’s likely to be a xattr problem.

December 13, 2017 Macs, Technology, xattr

xattr: com.apple.metadata:com_apple_backup_excludeItem, exclude from backups

Xattr flag to prevent the file or folder (and its contents) from being backed up by Time Machine. Used in Photos Libraries and elsewhere.

December 13, 2017 xattr

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