Collection of some handy 'defaults write' commands


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Here is my current stash including the occasional interjection of other handy one-liners, feel free to add any that you use on a regular basis:

# Display OSX Serial Number (first need to 'su' as root)

more /etc/systemserialnumbers/xsvr

# Enable or disable Dashboard

defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean YES; killall Dock

defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean NO; killall Dock

# Stop Disk Image verification

defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify TRUE

# Create a soft link named 'Applications' in the present working directory that points to /Applications

ln -s /Applications Applications

(more detailed instructions on soft links are at this page)

# Enable Time Machine Writes on Network Volumes:

defaults write com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 1

# Stop asking for Time Machine usage on removable drives

defaults write com.apple.TimeMachine DoNotOfferNewDisksForBackup -bool YES

# Disable Writing of .DS_Store files on Network Volumes:

defaults write com.apple.comdesktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores true

# Show the path bar at the top of Finder windows

defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool YES

# Add a 'recent things' stack to the Dock

defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = { "list-type" = 1; }; "tile-type" = "recents-tile"; }'; killall Dock

# Remove 3D Dock

defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean YES; killall Dock

# Restore 3D Dock

defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean NO; killall Dock

# Enable automatic play during import in iTunes 8

defaults write com.apple.iTunes play-songs-while-importing -bool TRUE

# Disable the Genre column in the iTunes 8 Browser

defaults write com.apple.iTunes show-genre-when-browsing -bool FALSE

# Disable iTunes store arrow links in iTunes 8

defaults write com.apple.iTunes show-store-arrow-links -bool FALSE

# Disable Data Detectors in Mail

defaults write com.apple.mail DisableDataDetectors YES

# Force Safari to open all links in a new tab

defaults write com.apple.Safari TargetedClicksCreateTabs -bool true

# Enable Address Book Debug Mode

defaults write com.apple.addressbook ABShowDebugMenu -bool YES

# Enable Safari web inspector

defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitDeveloperExtras -bool true

# Change default screenshot save location

defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures; killall SystemUIServer

# Change default screenshot format to JPEG

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpeg

# Show Pie Chart Progress in Safari

defaults write com.apple.Safari DebugUsePieProgressIndicator [boolean]

# Change Login Background

defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow DesktopPicture [path]

# Disable iTunes Genius sidebar

defaults write com.apple.iTunes disableGeniusSidebar [boolean]

# Enable Verbose Mode on boot

sudo nvram boot-args="-v"

# Disable Verbose Mode on boot

sudo nvram boot-args=

# Auto-accept Video Chat invitations:

defaults write com.apple.ichat AutoAcceptVCInvitations 1

# Restart the OSX setup assistant

rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

# Opera installations compliments of CS3:

/Applications/Adobe Bridge CS3/Bridge CS3.app/Contents/MacOS/Opera.app

/Applications/Adobe Device Central CS3/Device Central.app/Contents/MacOS/Required/Opera.app

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