Unable to access Documents folder

Question

Unable to access Documents folder

I've ordered a new M1 iMac to arrive in June.

In the meantime, I'm cleaning up my late 2013 iMac running Catalina 10.15.7.

I looked at About this Mac -> Storage and saw that I had 203 gb in my Documents folder, much of which I suspect are unneeded video files from FCPX. The Large Files option showed many files a few days ago and now only shows files from yesterday.

When I try and go into my Documents folder from Finder, it shows nothing, which is strange, as I haven't changed any permissions. Other programs are also having problems accessing items that are stored in the Documents folder. I tried to turn my permissions on and off, signed off as my main user, and rebooted the machine. Still a blank Documents folder, but from the screenshot below, there is still a lot in the folder and I need to access it in general.

Any suggestions as to how to get access to the Documents folder again?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 29, 2021 7:45 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Old Toad

Level 10

215,754 points

May 31, 2021 3:39 PM in response to MikeBeltracchi

Try the following: boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to nearly twice as long as a normal boot as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

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Answer 2

May 31, 2021 4:17 PM in response to MikeBeltracchi

Are you storing your Desktop and Documents to iCloud? I noticed it reads "Documents - Local" at the top of your finder window. That would suggest that you have been using iCloud to store you documents using iCloud. It would also explain why you're not seeing any files in the folder. FCPX and MP4 files usually are stored by default into "Movies" folder.

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,300 points

May 31, 2021 4:33 PM in response to MikeBeltracchi

"Documents" in the list is not your Documents folder. It is all of the Documents Spotlight found in your home directory.

See toastosxDC's post. I think that is why you see an empty folder.

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Answer 4

Lissy_12

Community Specialist

May 30, 2021 10:03 AM in response to MikeBeltracchi

Hi MikeBeltracchi,

We understand you have a question about the items in Documents folder. As noted in the resource below "Documents: Contains files in your home folder that aren’t included in other categories, such as Pages documents and PDFs. It also includes videos and photos that are not managed by your photo library (for example, an image that a friend shares with you using AirDrop).":

See used and available storage space on your Mac

Also, Find and delete files on your Mac

Hope this helps!

Have a great day.

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