Finding Empty Files and Folders
Strictly vs. Essentially Empty
File Buddy can search for items that are either "strictly empty" or "essentially empty". |
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A file is considered to be strictly empty if the data fork is empty and it has no resource fork. A folder is strictly empty if it contains no files or folders of any kind. |
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A file is considered essentially empty if its data fork is empty and its resource fork only contains resources added by the Finder, such as a custom icon. A folder is essentially empty if any files it contains are essentially empty or are used by the operating system or Finder to maintain information about the folder, and any folders inside it only contain essentially empty items. |
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Use the Report: menu to specify whether a scan should look for strictly empty or essentially empty items. |
Specifying What to Scan
Use the Scan: pop-up menu to configure the scan to search for files, folders, or both. |
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Note: Certain system folders (such as the Trash, Temporary Items, etc.) are excluded from a scan for empty files and folders. |
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Expect to find some empty items in the Preferences, Extensions, and other system folders. If you still have the applications to which they belong, they can be ignored. |
Viewing the Results
The items found during a scan for empty items are sent to a variation of the file list window. The window is identical to a standard file list window with the exception of a single addition button located just above the list on the left side of the window. |
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The menu displayed when this button is clicked contains one item. Use it to flag the currently selected items in the list to not be reported in future scans. |
Related Topic
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