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How to Delete Duplicate Dot Files Created by OneDrive on Mac
Question details
The user needs to remove duplicate metadata files prefixed with a dot (e.g., .DSC_0023.jpg) that appear alongside original images in OneDrive.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Uploading photo collections to OneDrive from a Mac or an external exFAT drive.
- Observed behavior
- Hidden macOS metadata and thumbnail files starting with a period are synced to the cloud as visible duplicates of the original image files.
Verify that your original image files (the ones without the dot prefix) are present in OneDrive and open correctly before deleting any duplicated items.
Unhide and Delete Metadata Files Directly on Mac
Use a macOS keyboard shortcut to reveal hidden metadata files in your local OneDrive folder and delete them.
macOS often creates hidden files starting with a period to store metadata and thumbnails, especially when handling files on exFAT or FAT32 external drives. Unhiding these files locally allows you to remove them quickly before or after they sync to OneDrive.
Launch Finder and navigate to the specific OneDrive folder containing your photo collections.
Press Command + Shift + Period (.) on your keyboard. This will instantly make all hidden files, including those starting with a dot, visible in the folder.
Select the unwanted metadata files (e.g., .DSC_0023.jpg) and move them to the Trash. Once deleted, press Command + Shift + Period (.) again to re-hide system files.
Remove Duplicate Dot Files via OneDrive Web
Delete the unwanted files directly from the cloud interface if they have already been synced and you do not want to manage hidden files on your Mac.
Manage Your Files and Documents Effortlessly with WPS Office
If you are reorganizing your cloud files and looking for a better way to handle your daily documents, WPS Office is an excellent choice. It provides a lightweight, all-in-one environment for your Mac that seamlessly replaces heavy office software while maintaining perfect format compatibility.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open and edit: Launch WPS Office and directly open any Office document formats stored on your Mac or cloud drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac create files starting with a dot in OneDrive?
When macOS interacts with non-native file systems like exFAT (commonly used on external drives), it creates hidden 'AppleDouble' files starting with a period. These files store resource forks, custom icons, and metadata that the file system cannot handle natively. OneDrive simply syncs these files as regular data.
Will deleting these duplicate dot files harm my original photos?
No. The dot-prefixed files contain only system metadata and thumbnail caches. Your original image files (without the dot prefix) contain the actual photo data and will remain completely unaffected.
How can I stop macOS from creating these files on my external drives?
While you cannot completely disable macOS from creating these files on exFAT or FAT32 drives, you can clean them up using the 'dot_clean' command in the macOS Terminal, or rely on third-party Mac utilities to strip metadata before moving the folders to your OneDrive sync directory.
