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Level 1

8 points

Thousands of folders appearing on desktop

Thousands of folders are appearing on my desktop with random names. I selected them all and the first time there was 1055 folders created. I placed them all into one folder that I created and left it on my desktop while I finished my work and then I checked back an hour later and 400 more folders were created again. I tried putting them into the folder again but it was asking me if I wanted to replace a folder already in the folder I created. The same folders keep popping up on my desktop and this continued to happen three or four more times and I kept moving them into folders I created to get rid of the clutter until I could get it fixed. I did a malwarebytes scan and it detected nothing so Im not sure what the problem is and if I should bring it into the store.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 20, 2020 9:08 PM

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Top-ranking reply

Level 8

35,332 points

Posted on Sep 20, 2020 10:12 PM

For the sake of troubleshooting, you could see if this

goes away after start up into Safe mode; and then later

restart normally ~ that turns off Safe mode. Read article.

Also you could start into macOS recovery to run the

Disk Utility> Repair on main partition (Mac HD) system

is installed. (given there's like 5 partitions in Catalina?!)

This would need be started into internet recovery; or from

the Recovery partition in storage drive, that's for this only.

There are several different means to start up from recovery

some destined for greater things; erase & install, etc. Others

not so much. Here's one that's versatile:

• How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

Because you're running Catalina 10.15.6, this one is limited in boot

choices; just be careful where you let it play. Like a kitty on leash.

These aim generally same; but 'very first article' above is universal.

• Reinstall macOS - Apple Support (catalina)

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/reinstall-macos-mchlp1599/10.15/mac/10.15

Disk Utility is a selection within a macOS Utilities menu. Or, follow

selection, as devoted to repair tasks; generally & with specifics. This

can be useful to repair or fix a disk, correct corruption, & reformat.

• Repair a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/repair-a-storage-device-dskutl1040/mac

Details are important; and since I'm a novice (in newest macOS)

I'll leave this to your discovery and perusal. ~ You should have a

few quality backups, that could run your mac from external clone.

And workable Time Machine on dedicated external drive.

Good luck & happy trails! ⛵️🌞

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Top-ranking reply

Level 8

35,332 points

Sep 20, 2020 10:12 PM in response to edynne

For the sake of troubleshooting, you could see if this

goes away after start up into Safe mode; and then later

restart normally ~ that turns off Safe mode. Read article.

Also you could start into macOS recovery to run the

Disk Utility> Repair on main partition (Mac HD) system

is installed. (given there's like 5 partitions in Catalina?!)

This would need be started into internet recovery; or from

the Recovery partition in storage drive, that's for this only.

There are several different means to start up from recovery

some destined for greater things; erase & install, etc. Others

not so much. Here's one that's versatile:

• How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

Because you're running Catalina 10.15.6, this one is limited in boot

choices; just be careful where you let it play. Like a kitty on leash.

These aim generally same; but 'very first article' above is universal.

• Reinstall macOS - Apple Support (catalina)

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/reinstall-macos-mchlp1599/10.15/mac/10.15

Disk Utility is a selection within a macOS Utilities menu. Or, follow

selection, as devoted to repair tasks; generally & with specifics. This

can be useful to repair or fix a disk, correct corruption, & reformat.

• Repair a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/repair-a-storage-device-dskutl1040/mac

Details are important; and since I'm a novice (in newest macOS)

I'll leave this to your discovery and perusal. ~ You should have a

few quality backups, that could run your mac from external clone.

And workable Time Machine on dedicated external drive.

Good luck & happy trails! ⛵️🌞

Reply

Thousands of folders appearing on desktop

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