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Desktop disappears from Favourites sidebar in Finder on iMac 21.5" (2017) running 11.5.1 Mac OS

I have an account for myself and one for my wife setup on our iMac. Under my account I am finding that periodically the Desktop folder that is normally under Favourites in the Finder sidebar disappears from there. I can manually add it back, but it will then disappear at some time in the future.


The Desktop folder remains in the Favourites sidebar on my wife's account.


I've seen this topic raised over and over and I've not found any actual explanation and/or solution yet.


Does anyone know why this happens and if there is a way to prevent it?

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Aug 8, 2021 10:39 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 20, 2021 9:49 AM

Luis Sequeira1 wrote:

How exactly are you adding the Desktop to the sidebar?
Are you doing in Finder->Preferences->Sidebar? Or manually dragging the Desktop icon to the Sidebar?

@Old Toad - when the Desktop disappeared before I was dragging the icon to the Sidebar. I didn't realise there's a setting in Preferences, thanks for that tip. I've now enabled Desktop in the Preferences.


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8 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 20, 2021 9:49 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Luis Sequeira1 wrote:

How exactly are you adding the Desktop to the sidebar?
Are you doing in Finder->Preferences->Sidebar? Or manually dragging the Desktop icon to the Sidebar?

@Old Toad - when the Desktop disappeared before I was dragging the icon to the Sidebar. I didn't realise there's a setting in Preferences, thanks for that tip. I've now enabled Desktop in the Preferences.


Aug 10, 2021 3:35 AM in response to Jeff_W.

Jeff_W. wrote:

Hello ksaro1,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!
If we understand your post correctly, the Desktop folder disappears from Favorites in the Finder sidebar. We'd like to help!

Open System Preferences > click on Apple ID > Ensure the box for iCloud Drive is checked.
Click on Options across from iCloud Drive > check the box of Desktop and Documents folder and click on Done .
Quit System Preferences and test to see if the folder now remains.

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive

Let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Take care!

@Jeff_W - I'm not wanting to add my Desktop and Documents to iCloud, so this option isn't suitable for me. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Aug 9, 2021 10:37 AM in response to ksaro1

Boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support and make sure the Desktop is listing in the Finder's sidebar Favorites section. Reboot normally and check again.


NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes 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


Aug 9, 2021 8:46 AM in response to ksaro1

Hello ksaro1,


Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

If we understand your post correctly, the Desktop folder disappears from Favorites in the Finder sidebar. We'd like to help!


Open System Preferences > click on Apple ID > Ensure the box for iCloud Drive is checked.

Click on Options across from iCloud Drive > check the box of Desktop and Documents folder and click on Done .

Quit System Preferences and test to see if the folder now remains.


Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive


Let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!

Aug 10, 2021 3:36 AM in response to Old Toad

Old Toad wrote:

Boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support and make sure the Desktop is listing in the Finder's sidebar Favorites section. Reboot normally and check again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes 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

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/d1a27fdf-e6b1-4b20-b2e2-63b6cb1ff625

@Old Toad - My Desktop is currently showing in my sidebar, even over reboots. Once it disappears again, I'll try to boot in Safe mode and see if it shows there. If it does. what is that telling me?

Sep 20, 2021 7:26 AM in response to Old Toad

Old Toad wrote:

Boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support and make sure the Desktop is listing in the Finder's sidebar Favorites section. Reboot normally and check again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes 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

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/d1a27fdf-e6b1-4b20-b2e2-63b6cb1ff625

@Old Toad - I just had another crash of my iMac. When it rebooted the Desktop was missing from my Favourites in Finder. I then shutdown and restarted the iMac in Safe mode and the Desktop was still missing from Favourites in the Finder window. So, even in Safe Mode the Desktop is missing.

Desktop disappears from Favourites sidebar in Finder on iMac 21.5" (2017) running 11.5.1 Mac OS

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