How to Extract and Edit Individual Files Within a .pkg Installer for Macintosh

For Macintosh users, application installers often come in the form of a .pkg file. Unlike other installation processes, .pkg installers generally do not give you the option to install only certain components of a program or collection of files, while neglecting the installation of others. Moreover, access to a particular file within an installer is sometimes necessary in order to edit its raw data. Fortunately, there is a simple method of extracting or altering only the desired files from such installation packages using nothing more than the Macintosh Finder.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer running the Macintosh Operating System (version 10.0 or above)
• A .pkg installer file

1. Be sure that the Macintosh's Finder is active on the desktop.

2. Navigate to the .pkg installer from which you need to extract individual files.

3. If you use a standard mouse designed for Macs, hold down the Control key on your keyboard while single-clicking the .pkg file. If you happen to have a mouse with two buttons, right-click the .pkg file.

4. Select Show Package Contents in the top portion of the menu from the pop-up menu that appears. A new Finder window will appear with a Contents folder. The Contents folder contains all of the component parts of the .pkg installer.

5. Navigate to the file that you need to extract or alter and open it using your preferred resource fork or hex editor.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to make a copy of the .pkg, as any mistake made in editing its contents may result in a damaged file.