Downloaded files don't appear on desktop

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kika2000 Author

Level 1

13 points

Downloaded files don't appear on desktop

I just started experiencing an odd problem and when I went searching, I found the topic in the archives, unanswered - so I thought I would try again.
For the last few days, everything I download to the desktop - doesn't appear on my desktop. When I search in my downloads folder, I find all of the files, but they don't physically show up unless I relaunch the finder - which is frustrating and annoying.
Does anyone know what causes this? The posts relating to this problem go back quite a way, so it can't be an update issue and I haven't changed any settings or loaded any new software recently.
Any thoughts?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jan 2, 2009 9:25 PM

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Answer 1

kika2000 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 2, 2009 10:07 PM in response to baltwo

Sorry, I guess I wasn't being clear. I am definitely downloading to the desktop (mostly through Firefox but occasionally using Safari). When I do a search (cmd F), the files are 'found' on the desktop and I can drag them from the search window - they just aren't visible where the computer says they are unless I relaunch the finder at which point the icons for them appear.

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Answer 2

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Jan 2, 2009 9:29 PM in response to kika2000

If you're using Safari as your browser, you set the download location via Safari->Preferences->General->Save downloaded files to:

As for the Finder being slow to update, just be patient, or close and reopen the download selected folder, or empty Safari's cache.

If you're not using Safari, then check that browser's settings or Safari's which might be the one that sets it for you, even if you don't use it.

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Answer 3

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Jan 2, 2009 11:13 PM in response to kika2000

Thanks for clarifying. Are you saying that there's a folder named downloads on your Desktop that you're not seeing getting filled with the downloads or is the Desktop your downloads folder? In any case, you're describing a Finder hangup that's been around for quite awhile, but yours is extremely rare in that only relaunching the Finder gets it to update properly. Create a new admin user account, log into it, set up your browser to download to the Desktop, download some things, and see if the problem persists. Report back.

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Answer 4

kika2000 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 4, 2009 6:03 AM in response to baltwo

Fixed the old-fashioned way. Re-booted a couple of times and haven't been able to replicate the issue since then. Went back and opened up some of the same pdfs that I originally saw the issue with and they now appear as normal on my desktop when I download them.
Don't know what the problem was, and I don't know why re-booting the first 20 times didn't solve it, but right now, it's fixed. I'll report back if there is a recurrence.

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Answer 5

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Jan 4, 2009 11:45 AM in response to kika2000

Okey, dokey.

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