The operation can't be completed because the original item for "Desktop" can't be found.

Both my "Desktop" and "Documents" folders in Finder no longer work, I can't access either. When I click on them I get the message in the subject line. (This may be related to turning off some things from iCloud backup to save space?)


If I go to Finder and delete Desktop and Documents from the sidebar, then go to "Finder --> Settings" and click "Desktop" to re-add it to the sidebar, the check mark doesn't stay and it gets cleared. However, I do now see "Desktop" added back into the Sidebar. But when I click it, I get the same error message.


If I click "Desktop" again to add it to the sidebar, the checkmark stays this time, but now I have "Desktop" in the Sidebar twice. Clicking either of them shows the same error message.


If I go to System Settings and click my ID then iCloud, then select "iCloud Drive," I see the "Desktop and Documents Folders" is not active, it's not selected. When I try to select it, I seems to work for a second, then remains gray and unselected, still inactive. How can I get my Desktop and Documents folders to be active again??


My iMac is 3.6 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9 and macOS is Ventura 13.4.


Another odd thing is, if I click on my user name in the Sidebar, I don't see "Desktop" or "Documents" in that folder. Instead I see "Documents - Cameron’s iMac (2)" and "Desktop - Cameron’s iMac (2)." I can click into those folders, but the icons I expect to see are missing. If I add something to the "Desktop - Cameron’s iMac (2)" folder, I don't see it on the actual Desktop.

iMac 27″

Posted on Jun 4, 2023 9:41 AM

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Posted on Jun 22, 2023 6:28 AM

In case it is helpful, I had this exact issue this morning, seeming to be related to iCloud. *And* I had just done a reinstall of Mac OS so had no backups to draw from on Time Machine. Here is how I just solved it. Show hidden files on Finder (command + shift + .) and navigate to Users > [username]. There will be hidden aliases of "Desktop" and "Documents." Delete them to repopulate the regular Desktop and Documents folders, et voila.


Mac is so intrusive with pushing iCloud integration on us. I use Dropbox and have no need to have my Desktop synced. I actually don't store anything on my Desktop, I just require it as a waystation for moving things in and out of Dropbox folders (and as a destination for downloads).

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The operation can't be completed because the original item for "Desktop" can't be found.

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