Unseen file .MatlabDriveTag is seen

Normally, the file ".MatlabDriveTag" is unseen in windows explorer. However, in some circumstances, the file can be seen. For example, in the zip file if I compress whole folder into one file, or in git bash. It is annoying sometime because this file does exist in every folder and subfolders and cannot be easily deleted. I don't know why this file exists, and can I disable it?

[Walter Roberson]

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/502847-why-do-i-see-error-closing-document-package-no-content-type-was-found-for-part-matlabdrivetag-w#answer_412919

[Ryan]

Thanks. I think it is different to my concern.

[Walter Roberson]

Notice the part

"MATLAB Drive automatically adds a '.MATLABDriveTag' file in any folder that is created on drive as this helps to track and sync files to the cloud."

which answers the question about why they exist.

Answer 1

[Pratyush Roy]

Hi Ryan,

The MATLABDriveTag files allow us to track offline folder moves meaning we can reconstruct folder operations that occurred when MATLAB Drive sync wasn't running.

OneDrive also has hidden files (UUID filename) located at the root folder, and dropbox has cache files stored at the root so there is precedent for these sorts of hidden files.

The MATLAB Drive tag files are hidden and for the most part not user visible (on Windows users have to uncheck "hide system protected files" in their explorer options to view).

These of course can become visible to users running git workflows. The files are harmless, and can be simply added to the .gitignore file.

However this issue has been brought to the concerned people and they might consider it for a future release.

Hope this helps!

[Ryan]

Thanks. It is very clear now.