Jun102012

How can I find lost files on a MAC after upgrading the operating system?

Surendra Ghanta asks:

I just did an update on my MAC from Snow Leopard to Lion. I later remembered that I kept some of my important files in ~/Library/Application Support/Address Book/ folder for which I don’t have a backup. Is there a way I can recover my files?


Browser: Chrome 19
System: Mac
Tagged: , ,

Comments for this Question are closed.

If you are looking for help, please ask a new question here.

We will be happy to help you!

3 Answers -

0 votes

Mulder

June 10, 2012

There shouldn’t be any files in that directory except ones that are put there by legitimate applications. If you’ve been using that directory to put things in, you are playing with fire.

Installing Lion would not destroy anything already in that directory, so there’s no reason to search for them; just go to it and look for them. Aside from that, everybody knows you should have a complete, bootable backup before you upgrade anything.

0 votes

Mike

June 10, 2012

As Mulder said this directory folders should only contain files from the specific application.
In fact the entire Application Support folder should only contain files placed there by the respective application.

Anyway, one change from SL to Lion is that the Library folder received the hidden flag to prevent inexperienced users from ‘deleting’ it (yes, that stuff happens).

Open a Finder window, in the menu bar click “Go > Go to Folder…” and type “~/Library” into the box. This will take you into the Library folder with all it’s sub-levels.