Desktop and Documents folders have disappeared

Question

Level 1

7 points

Desktop and Documents folders have disappeared

I opened my Mac to see my entire desktop empty. If I try to access my desktop or documents files through finder, I get this message: "The operation can’t be completed because the original item for “Desktop” can’t be found." I have tried several fixes, including:

Removing and reading the two folders on the finder sidebar
Redownloading MacOS through recovery mode
Doing a first aid check on the utility list
Turning off the iCloud desktop and documents sync
Accessing my Mac through safe mode

My iCloud desktop and documents folders are also empty for some reason. The files don't exist in my user folder anymore, either. I don't know what to do. I am stupid, so I don't have a time machine backup either. All my files are in these two folders, so I dont want to do a full reset, but if that will fix the problem, I will do it as a last resort.

I'm on an M1 Mac with OS 13.4.1

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.4

Posted on Jul 8, 2023 5:01 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

bettercallsaul

Level 1

41 points

Oct 26, 2023 5:36 AM in response to s0mething04

This happens to me occasionally. Go to Apple menu, Force Quit, Finder. It will ask you if you want to relaunch - click OK. All folders/files restored to desktop every time.

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Answer 2

Dec 28, 2023 4:19 PM in response to bettercallsaul

hi, i followed your instructions and still couldnt get my desktop back. any other suggestions

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Answer 3

KCom007

Level 1

8 points

Apr 21, 2024 1:25 PM in response to neslihan135

My Macintosh HD, other folders & external drives just disappeared from the Desktop on my MacBook Pro M3 Max running Sonoma 14.4.1.

I was able to fix it by going to:

System Settings - Desktop & Dock - Desktop & Stage Manager - Show Items - On Desktop (turn ON... make sure this box is CHECKED).

When I checked the "On Desktop" box under Desktop & Stage Manager my Macintosh HD, folders, and external drives all immediately reappeared on my Desktop.

Hope this helps!

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Answer 4

ku4hx

Level 7

23,586 points

Jul 8, 2023 5:40 AM in response to s0mething04

Just a point of clarification, does "Redownloading MacOS through recovery mode" mean you reinstalled the OS? It's possible to download without reinstalling ... I do it all the time when creating bootable flash drives. But not via the recovery panel.