Detect the files that describe the application preferences in your system. Select the detected items and open them for previewing the content. Access a set of editing options to modify the recognition of presference4s for different tools and components.
PrefEdit is intended to help you manage preference manifest files, which are commonly used to specify the behavior of applications. The tool works by detecting this type of files (PLIST) so that you can inspect the preferences related to the applications installed on your system. It supports opening and modifying both XML-based and binary property list files as well as converting data between these two formats. Additionally, the tool can read OpenStep files. Fortunately, it can even find property files protected by an application sandbox.
PrefEdit’s main window shows list of preference domains. Moreover, it is also allowed to search by entering values or internal names as well as dragging and dropping the icon of the desired app. Two main operations are supported from this window. One is deleting the PLIST file which would automatically erase any preferences set after the selected app’s installation. The other operation is opening the preference manifest file and edit any of the included settings. In this respect, you can change property names, entry types and values. It is great that it allows managing nested entries without limitations.
While you are editing its preferences, it is possible to launch the selected application to check the results of your intervention. Luckily, you do not need to worry about making the wrong changes because the tool supports undoing any modifications. Even in the case you have already saved the file, you can still restore an old version, thanks to the system’s support of file version control.
All in all, PrefEdit is an excellent choice for developers as well as advanced users who like to be in control of the preferences of the applications. Although the tool is quite easy to use, its interface could still be made more explicit in terms of you can do with it. I have to confess that the first time I almost missed the possibility of editing preference files due to the lack of appropriate clues, which may require the user to guess what to do next.
v4.3 [Oct 25, 2019]
Browse through the complete list of macOS preference domains, including the preference settings of programs protected by an application sandbox.
You can search for any setting in the database, either by value or by internal name of the preference.
PrefEdit can automatically determine the correct preference domain name for a given application.
You can change any entry in the preferences database or in a property list file. Property names, entry types and values can be edited freely. Entries can be removed or added. The program handles nested entries of any depth correctly.
Entries can be moved or copied within the same or different files, using copy/paste or drag-and-drop.
The application has full undo and redo capabilities with an unlimited number of steps.
The “Versions” feature of macOS can be used to restore old versions of a file you have edited with PrefEdit.
It is shown if certain settings are controlled by the client management (MCX) system of macOS which is used via directory services or Apple Profile Manager in professional networks.
Preference domain inspectors allow to view the exact relationship between entries in the live preferences database and their counterparts in the persistent preference files.
The preference search path used by each compliant macOS application can be visualized, showing the effects of overriding settings and reflecting the view on the settings as each application sees them.
You can copy an effective setting in the preference search path to a different scope, allowing to easily override a default value at a later search position.
PrefEdit detects automatically when applications change preference values at the same time the user is editing settings via PrefEdit.
Applications can be launched via PrefEdit, so the effects of changing a user default setting can be verified immediately.
It is possible to search for any entry in a property list file, either by value or property key of the entry.
PrefEdit can open and write XML-based, as well as binary property list files. Users can freely convert data between the two formats. It is additionally possible to read property list files in OpenStep format, used in macOS's predecessor NeXT OPENSTEP for Mach.
When using XML-based files, PrefEdit keeps track of the physical order of entries, differentiating between the shown and actual order. Entries can be sorted after both aspects.
