MaherSaif / hide-finder-trash-dock-icons

On the macOS dock, remove Finder and Trash icons.

Hide Finder and Trash Dock Icons

For Mac OS X Mavericks (10.9) I use the Path Finder app instead of the default OS X Finder, and I never use the Trash icon on the Dock either, so I wrote this AppleScript to hide those icons and leave only what I use.

Overview of Script

• turns off Dock indicator lights (little dots next to icon)
• restarts Dock
• hides Finder and Trash icons
• turns on indicator lights (so there is not a floating dot where the Finder icon was)

Installation

First you need to add the "Remove from Dock" option to Finder and Trash.

• Helpful instructions at:

https://discussions.apple.com/message/23591488#23591488

• More detailed:

http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/30415/how-can-i-remove-the-finder-icon-from-my-dock

Basically (to quote softwater and donedamned):

1. Make a backup of the file: /System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/Resources/DockMenus.plist

(copy file and rename this new file to "DockMenus.backup.plist")

2. In DockMenus.plist, search for:

a. "finder-running"

b. and "trash" in the plist file and add at the end of both (right before the "</array>") in both the following:

<dict>
                              <key>command</key>
                              <integer>1004</integer>
                              <key>name</key>
                              <string>REMOVE_FROM_DOCK</string>
</dict>

You can do it with a text editor like the powerful and free Sublime Text.

(Note: OS X seems wonky here with Section 3. Random inconsistencies, it seems. Systematically keep trying different ways if it doesn't work, is all I can suggest.)

3. To make it run at log in:

a. Rename script without the ".txt" extension. Open script in AppleScript Editor.

b. File > Export > File Format > Application > Save

Alternatively for a & b: Download .app from Github repo

c. Run app. Accept that it's not allowed Assistive Access yet.

d. System Preferences > Security & Privacy > (Privacy tab) > (click lock) > (uncheck then check box for script app) > (click lock)

e. System Preferences > Users and Groups > Login Items > (plus symbol: +) > (add file)

You'll need to allow access in Administrative Assistance.

Uninstallation

If you want to undo the entire procedure:

1. Delete the file called 'DockMenus.plist' and then rename 'DockMenus.backup.plist' to 'DockMenus.plist'.

2. In Terminal run "killall Dock".

Message Me

If you have any issues, message me at: [e-mail]

Thanks To

• softwater
• donedamned
• Alexandr Mazanov