You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

My desktop is locked

I am not able to drag any file onto my desktop. I can access and save files onto the desktop folder in Finder but not onto the visual desktop. When I try to drag a file onto my desktop a lock symbol appears. When I right click on my desktop to create a new folder, it comes up with an error, "The operation can't be completed (An unexpected error occurred, error code -8072)" . In my user folder in Finder, the desktop icon also has a lock symbol on its bottom right corner. You should be able to see this in the image I have uploaded.


Does anyone know how to unlock it?


Posted on Feb 11, 2022 3:48 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 11, 2022 5:24 AM

The black arrow indicates it is an alias, not sure if you have moved your desktop & download folder to some other location.


You should be able to change from the "Get Info" in Control-click or secondary click menu should help you to uncheck the locked item.

To lock or unlock a file/folder in the Finder, select the file, choose File > Get Info, then select or deselect the Locked tickbox.


Hope it helps.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 11, 2022 5:24 AM in response to kirstyralexander

The black arrow indicates it is an alias, not sure if you have moved your desktop & download folder to some other location.


You should be able to change from the "Get Info" in Control-click or secondary click menu should help you to uncheck the locked item.

To lock or unlock a file/folder in the Finder, select the file, choose File > Get Info, then select or deselect the Locked tickbox.


Hope it helps.

My desktop is locked

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.