How to prevent .DS_Store file creation over network connections

Note: This will affect the user’s interactions with SMB/CIFS, AFP, NFS, and WebDAV servers.

  1. Open Terminal
  2. Execute this command
    defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores true
  3. Either restart the computer or log out and back in to the user account

If you want to prevent .DS_Store file creation for other users on the same computer, log in to each user account and perform the steps above—or distribute a copy of the newly modified com.apple.desktopservices.plist file to the ~/Library/Preferences folder of other user accounts.

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