Hundreds of app preferences are hidden away in ~/Library/Preferences and elsewhere. What do they contain, how do they work, and how can they crash an app before it’s even running fully?
settings
XProtect, XProtect Remediator, XProtect Behaviour Service, kernel extension excludes, incompatible apps, and some historical remnants, including a database that’s downloaded then vanishes.
Essential details of each of the three types of XProtect data files, how they’re updated, how to update them, and more. Covers new XProtect in macOS 15.x.
Should you try changing NVRAM settings in an Apple silicon Mac? As they’re almost certain to have no beneficial effect, and could require lengthy procedures to reset them, it’s best not to try.
A brief reference to excluding items from being backed up, from Spotlight indexing their contents, and for them to be copied up to iCloud Drive.
Swift source code to accompany the matching article on SwiftUI on macOS: Settings, defaults and About.
How to add a tabbed Settings window with different controls, for settings saved by UserDefaults, and extend the app’s About window.
Each of the main security services in macOS, like XProtect, relies on data commonly stored in separate files […]
Introduction to property lists, used in many places as well as the mainstay of preference files. How to change them safely without risk of conflicts.
Why changing a property list in Preferences may not change that setting, and how you may not be able to throw the file away.
The Eclectic Light Company 