defaultswrite reference

Mac OS defaultswrite commands for GUI improvements, perform in the terminal (Choose only what you need)

TimeMachine

defaults write com.apple.TimeMachine DoNotOfferNewDisksForBackup -bool true
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.backupd-auto StartInterval -int 86400

Disable Annoying Pop up Alerts

defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices LSQuarantine -bool false
defaults write com.apple.CrashReporter DialogType none

Disable Auto Save, Versions in built-in apps

defaults write -g ApplePersistence -bool no
defaults write -app textedit AutosavingDelay -int 0
defaults write -app 'preview' ApplePersistence -bool no

Finder Tweaks

Desktop Settings

defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool false
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowExternalHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowMountedServersOnDesktop -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowRemovableMediaOnDesktop -bool true

Sidebar icon size

defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSTableViewDefaultSizeMode -int 2

Browser Settings

defaults write com.apple.finder QuitMenuItem -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowPathbar -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder _FXSortFoldersFirst -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder FXDefaultSearchScope -string "SCcf"
defaults write com.apple.finder NewWindowTarget -string "PfDe"
defaults write com.apple.finder NewWindowTargetPath -string "file://${HOME}/Desktop/"

Animations

defaults write com.apple.finder DisableAllAnimations -bool true

Behaviour

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder OpenWindowForNewRemovableDisk -bool true

Alerts

defaults write com.apple.finder WarnOnEmptyTrash -bool false
defaults write com.apple.finder FXEnableExtensionChangeWarning -bool false

Dock Size

defaults write com.apple.dock tilesize -int 2
defaults write com.apple.dock tilesize -int 36

Dock Behaviour

defaults write com.apple.dock pinning -string end
defaults write com.apple.dock mouse-over-hilite-stack -bool true
defaults write com.apple.dock mineffect -string "scale"
defaults write com.apple.dock minimize-to-application -bool true
defaults write com.apple.dock enable-spring-load-actions-on-all-items -bool true
defaults write com.apple.dock show-process-indicators -bool true
defaults write com.apple.dock static-only -bool true
defaults write com.apple.dock launchanim -bool false
defaults write com.apple.dock expose-animation-duration -float 0.1
defaults write com.apple.dock expose-group-by-app -bool false
defaults write com.apple.dock dashboard-in-overlay -bool true
defaults write com.apple.dock mru-spaces -bool false
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 0
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool true
defaults write com.apple.dock showhidden -bool true
defaults write com.apple.dock show-recents -bool false

Save Dialog Options

defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool true
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode2 -bool true
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToCloud -bool false

Print Options

defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint -bool true
defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint2 -bool true
defaults write com.apple.print.PrintingPrefs "Quit When Finished" -bool true

Show all filename extensions

defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleShowAllExtensions -bool true

.DS_Store

defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool true
defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteUSBStores -bool true

Spring loading for directories

defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.springing.enabled -bool true
defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.springing.delay -float 0

Disk Image Behaviour

defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify -bool true
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify-locked -bool true
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify-remote -bool true
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages auto-open-ro-root -bool false
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages auto-open-rw-root -bool false

Do not reopen previous content window on next launch

defaults write com.apple.systempreferences NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows -bool false
defaults write com.apple.QuickTimePlayer NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows -int 0
defaults write com.apple.Preview NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows -int 0

Disable automatic termination of inactive apps

defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDisableAutomaticTermination -bool true
defaults write com.apple.iChat NSDisableAutomaticTermination -bool yes

Disable Application state on Restart or Boot

defaults write com.apple.loginwindow TALLogoutSavesState -bool false
defaults write com.apple.loginwindow LoginwindowLaunchesRelaunchApps -bool false

Dashboard

defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -bool true

GUI Animations, Improvements

defaults write -g com.apple.swipescrolldirection -bool false
defaults write -g AppleShowScrollBars -string "Always"
defaults write -g AppleEnableMenuBarTransparency -bool false
defaults write -g QLPanelAnimationDuration -float 0
defaults write -g NSWindowResizeTime -float 0.001
defaults write -g NSScrollAnimationEnabled -bool false
defaults write -g NSAutomaticWindowAnimationsEnabled -bool false
defaults write -g AppleInterfaceStyle -string "Dark"
defaults write com.apple.Siri StatusMenuVisible -bool false

Better Security

defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 1
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 0
sudo defaults write /var/db/locationd/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.locationd.plist LocationServicesEnabled -bool NO

Enable AirDrop over Ethernet and on unsupported Macs

defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser BrowseAllInterfaces -bool true

Disable the built-in captive portal (use your browser instead)

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.captive.control Active -bool false

Increase sound quality for Bluetooth

defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Apple Bitpool Min (editable)" -int 40

Enable full keyboard access for all controls

defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleKeyboardUIMode -int 3

Sound Settings

defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.sound.beep.feedback -int 0
defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.sound.uiaudio.enabled -int 0
defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.sound.beep.volume -float 0.0

Screen Sharing

defaults write com.apple.ScreenSharing controlObserveQuality 2 (1=black and white, 2=grey scale, 3=8 bit color, 4=16 bit color, 5=full color)
defaults write com.apple.ScreenSharing 'NSToolbar Configuration ControlToolbar' -dict-add 'TB Item Identifiers' '(Scale,Control,Share,Curtain,Capture,FullScreen,GetClipboard,SendClipboard,Quality)'

Disk Space Alerts (use with Caution)

defaults write com.apple.diskspaced checkAllVolumes 0
defaults write com.apple.diskspaced debugLog 1
defaults write com.apple.diskspaced warningInterval 3600
defaults write com.apple.diskspaced freeSpaceWarningLevel 1
defaults write com.apple.diskspaced minFreeSpace 5

Resolve Slow Shutdowns (use with Caution)

sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.coreservices.appleevents ExitTimeOut -int 1
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.securityd ExitTimeOut -int 1
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder ExitTimeOut -int 1
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.diskarbitrationd ExitTimeOut -int 1
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.coreservices.appleid.authentication ExitTimeOut -int 1

dirtymouse / defaultswrite