MacOS 11.4 Big Sur has issues with alias files on the home desktop when starting up

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Level 1

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MacOS 11.4 Big Sur has issues with alias files on the home desktop when starting up

No one seems to care about Aliases and though I've seen several reports, there has been no advice of use to me, yet.

For no apparent reason (since my use of Big Sur release versions, many (if not all) my desktop mounted alias files become "disconnected" from their original files, sometimes they cannot be restored. However if the alias refers to an original on a NAS Storage device they usually can be reconnected.

Where an alias becomes disconnected from it's original in Big Sur, the icon also changes - from a folder icon to a file icon (see pic example). Note the appearance of the alias.

If OTOH, the alias(es) refer to a local or even the startup drive file location itself they usually cannot be reconnected (in Get Info) on the alias the "Select New Original" there is grayed out! Have had this issue in one form or another with the same set of files (originals haven't moved) ever since Big Sur. When that disconnected alias is on a local source, it often cannot be reconnected through the Finder anyway and Get Info shows it, thusly. remaking the alias in place without moving the original restores the alias, until a future restart again corrupt them. Rinse and repeat.

Any ideas on why this occurs and how to report it? Have you duplicated my issue??

Parallels, OS X 10.11

Posted on Jun 17, 2021 3:38 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,144 points

Jun 17, 2021 4:51 PM in response to Henry-In-FL

Are you using Desktop & Documents in iCloud Drive? I wonder if it has a problem with the files being moved on and off the local drive. I don't use aliases enough to have noticed a problem like that.

You can either create a free developer account and use the bug reporter there (no idea; never used it), or send Feedback to Apple:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html

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Answer 2

Henry-In-FL Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 18, 2021 4:40 AM in response to Barney-15E

Already did report that (via Apple Feedback). Interesting that you would mention the original resource of the alias being on iCloud. I haven't tried an alias reference there. I have used local and NAS to make aliases with the results similar but with different aspects of each type or resource. Were you able to duplicate my issue or did you attempt it at all?

I'm still trying to figure out if the changing icon is supposed to be a feature gone wrong or an effect that happens for no good reason (pure Bug). So far I have determined the effect started fully/repeatably in Big Sur. It may have started creeping in late versions of Catalina, though.

Original resource variations for an alias and what happens when things go wrong with the alias:

Startup drive resource file. Alias will eventually change (after a restart or a shutdown startup) its icon style (from folder->file icon). At that time, further investigation shows a possible disconnect from the original resource (original can't be located message). Looking at Get Info on the 'BROKEN" alias yields a grayed out "Select New Original". Alias cannot be fixed in Finder. Only further workaround is recreate it. Other aliases in the same location are in a likewise condition.
Attached other local drive. Similar symptoms to the above #1
NAS file resource. The alias changed its appearance but original CAN be located! Not only that, but the file icon CAN be changed back to the original style and performance by calling the original and selecting Get Info on the Alias. A clue?
You mentioned this variant of file location so feel free to proceed if you like. Please test a iCloud reference file to see if it occurs there*

Make sense???

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MacOS 11.4 Big Sur has issues with alias files on the home desktop when starting up

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