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Clear logs of all downloaded files from File Quarantine

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on macOS.

These changes use Mac system commands to update your settings.

This script uses Bash (Shell script) scripting language.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Implementation Details

  • Language: bash

  • Required Privileges: Administrative (sudo) access

  • Compatibility: macOS only

  • Reversibility: Some changes may be permanent

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Clean File Quarantine from downloaded files category. This category configures macOS using 2 scripts. The category includes 2 subscripts. Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Clear logs of all downloaded files from File Quarantine.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Reversible

This script is reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Terminal app

  2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes
db_file=~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices.QuarantineEventsV2
db_query='delete from LSQuarantineEvent'
if [ -f "$db_file" ]; then
    echo "Database exists at \"$db_file\""
    if ls -lO "$db_file" | grep --silent 'schg'; then
        sudo chflags noschg "$db_file"
        echo "Found and removed system immutable flag"
        has_system_immutable_flag=true
    fi
    if ls -lO "$db_file" | grep --silent 'uchg'; then
        sudo chflags nouchg "$db_file"
        echo "Found and removed user immutable flag"
        has_user_immutable_flag=true
    fi
    sqlite3 "$db_file" "$db_query"
    echo "Executed the query \"$db_query\""
    if [ "$has_system_immutable_flag" = true ] ; then
        sudo chflags schg "$db_file"
        echo "Added system immutable flag back"
    fi
    if [ "$has_user_immutable_flag" = true ] ; then
        sudo chflags uchg "$db_file"
        echo "Added user immutable flag back"
    fi
else
    echo "No action needed, database does not exist at \"$db_file\""
fi
  1. Paste the code into terminal.
  2. Press Enter to apply the code.

Some scripts requires restarting your computer to take affect.

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