To get to this file, simply right-click the program in the Finder and choose 'Show Package Contents,' followed by opening the 'Contents' folder in the window that appears. This file is a small settings file within the application itself, which holds information such as the program's current version, minimum OS requirements, and the type of application, among many other details. Luckily, there is a way to do so.īy default any packaged application bundle (files that end with '.app' as the suffix) in OS X will be represented in the Dock when opened, but developers have the option of preventing this by including a small bit of information in the program's information property list. In this and similar cases, it would be beneficial to have the program run, but not be represented in the Dock. The ist file is located within the Contents folder in the application package, and can be opened with TextWrangler or any text editor. The program does try to hide when the VPN is connected, but the Dock icon will remain as long as the program is open, and may be a bit of a clutter.

For instance, if you are required to use Cisco's An圜onnect VPN software, then you may find that it runs as a menu extra but also has a Dock icon. This is the case with other programs that are intended to run as background helpers, or as menu extras, but sometimes this is not the case. For example, Dropbox is managed solely in the menu bar, so having a Dock icon will add no benefit and will only clutter the Dock. The OS X Dock offers a quick and convenient way to launch programs and manage ones that are currently open however, there are times when a program you are using doesn't have any purpose in being presented in the Dock.

How to hide mac dock icons