Files and folders are disappearing with Monterey 12.3.1

Question

Files and folders are disappearing with Monterey 12.3.1

My files and folders are disappearing from my MBP 2021 and from external drives as I work with them with Monterey 12.3.1. I have recovered copies of a very important folder SIX times because of this. Spotlight search finds the folder correctly, but I have to open it from Spotlight and restore the folder contents each time. I've tried working from the desktop and then directly from external drives, but it makes no difference. They just disappear. I'm starting to hate my new computer. I've used Macs since 1985. Seriously. This is a big problem. I'm wasting tons of time and am very frustrated. Any help would be appreciated.

MacBook, OS X 10.10

Posted on Apr 24, 2022 2:01 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

ArmMan1016

Community Specialist

Apr 25, 2022 10:34 AM in response to Dammit-Calvin

Hi Dammit-Calvin,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. Do you have iCloud Drive enabled on the MacBook Pro? If so, is Desktop & Documents also turned on? This could be the culprit behind this trouble you're having. Click here for the steps to check into this:

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive

Let us know the outcome, and we can go from there if needed.

Have a great day!

Reply

Answer 2

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Apr 25, 2022 12:55 PM in response to Dammit-Calvin

Hello Dammit-Calvin,

To help resolve this issue, boot into safe mode to see if the same thing happens. Safe mode can clear caches and bypass software that can cause conflicts: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

How to use safe mode

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:

Apple silicon

1. Shut down your Mac.

2. Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.

3. Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”

4. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.

Intel processor

1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift keyas your Mac starts up.

2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac.

3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window.

Depending on the results you get, follow the additional steps from the article providied.

You can also test to see if this issue occurs in a new Administrator account. This will let you know if the issue is within the whole Mac or just your user profile: Set up users, guests and groups on Mac - Apple Support

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities, and have a great day!

Reply

Answer 3

Jmanna13

Community Specialist

Apr 26, 2022 6:09 AM in response to Dammit-Calvin

Thanks for the information, Dammit-Calvin.

From here, we'd recommend reaching out to Apple Support: Contact Apple Support

Regards.

Reply

Answer 4

Apr 25, 2022 11:58 AM in response to ArmMan1016

Thanks, ArmMan, for your quick reply. I have used iCloud Drive off and on, but I often need to have access to some files without an internet connection. I realize iCloud Drive duplicates files (one in the cloud, the other local), but at times - and I've never figured out the reason - files aren't accessible offline. If I could know that my files would always be available locally, I would use it again. It would be great if the regular iCloud would allow me to store my files and folders, but it's restrictive in its back-up options. Can you explain to me why Monterey eats my folders before my very eyes? Even when I'm working on an external drive exclusively? Thanks again for your help.

Reply

Answer 5

Apr 25, 2022 2:14 PM in response to SnickZ.

Hello, SnickZ. Thanks for your quick reply. I have no "power button" on my MacBook Pro 14" 2021. To turn it on, I open the MacBook, watch the progress bar under the Apple and arrive at the log in screen. I've tried to "continue to press and hold" the log-in (touch) button, but it ignores that (probably because it's not a power button, but I don't know). I've tried holding the left Shift-key during the progress bar progression as directed in the "Help" menu, but it ignores that as well. This is getting odd. I admit to my not being tech-savvy. But this needs to be resolved. It's beyond inconvenient, and I don't want to see this new Mac in the backyard in a heap. What's up with Apple these days? It's becoming impossible for me to do any kind of work, and I'm trying to work on a time sensitive project, in that this time belongs to my life. Thank you for any further help or advice you may share.

Reply

Files and folders are disappearing with Monterey 12.3.1

Similar questions