Saved iMovie projects on my desktop get deleted upon closing the app?

Select the captured video in iMovies then the menu Shared to File. Complete requested info the the pop up window and then save the file to desktop. If you are not in full screen the new file appears on the desktop. But uponn closing iMovie the file is deleted from the desktop.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 27″, 13.5

Posted on Sep 6, 2023 4:24 PM

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3 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Sep 8, 2023 12:49 PM in response to dtdavis

Hello Dtdavis,


We'd like to provide a few steps that can assist you with getting iMovie working as expected:


"Restart your Mac

Choose Restart from the Apple menu .

Reset NVRAM

If you use an external device with iMovie like a camera, reset NVRAM:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Disconnect all external devices other than your keyboard and your mouse.
  3. Reset NVRAM.
  4. Open iMovie and attempt to reproduce your issue.
    • If iMovie works, reconnect devices one at a time until you can reproduce your issue. Restart your Mac after reconnecting a device if the device requires it. 
    • If iMovie still doesn't work, you might need to update your device's firmware or have the device serviced.


Update macOS and iMovie

Choose Apple menu  > App Store, then click Updates. If an iMovie update is available, click Update to download and install it.


Test with a new library and project

You can create a new library and test project to check if the issue is with your library, project, or iMovie app. First, create a new library:

  1. Quit iMovie.
  2. While you press and hold the Option key, click the iMovie app in the Dock or double-click the iMovie app in the Applications folder.
  3. In the Open Library window, click New to create a new library.
  4. Name the test library "Test iMovie Library," then save it to the Movies folder in your home folder.

Next, create the test project using a built-in trailer template, then export it as a QuickTime video file:

  1. In iMovie, click Projects to return to the Projects view.
  2. Choose File > New Trailer, click the Action trailer template, then click Create.
  3. Choose File > Share > File, click Next, name the file "Finish Line," then save the video file to the Desktop.

Next, import the QuickTime video file into a new project in the new library:

  1. Click projects to return to the Projects view. In the window, click OK.
  2. Choose File > New Movie.
  3. Choose File > Import Media, then click Desktop in the Import window sidebar. Select the "Finish Line.mov" file in the list, then click the Import Selected button.
  4. Select the clip in the browser, then press the E key to add the clip to the timeline.
  5. Try to recreate the issue you were having. For example, if iMovie quit when adding a transition, try to add a transition to the timeline.

If the new library and project work as expected, you've isolated the cause of your issue to the original library or project. Try to restore a previous version of the original library from a Time Machine or other backup.


Reset iMovie

Reset iMovie to default settings. Libraries won't be affected.


Reinstall iMovie

Delete iMovie, then redownload and reinstall it. Libraries won't be affected."


More info here: If iMovie isn't working on your Mac


Take care.





Sep 11, 2023 10:33 AM in response to dtdavis

Before sending the issue:

I did remove and download iMovie latest version from the App Store.

I have macOS is Ventura 13.5.1

I did restart iMovie more than once with a new project and the iMovie defaults were never change from their original settings. 

I got the same results with file download to desktop appearing then disappearing when closing iMovie.


I did get the file saved to desktop and was able to play the video with quick time by:

Using the command and option key to Rest iMovie.

Uploading the video from my camera to iMovie and from Media folder selecting Menu>File>Share>File.

I never reset NVRAM.


I also found that if there is more than one video clip in Media, the first and only clip will be saved to a file. With multiple clips in Media a “white” not a “yellow” selection box must be visible around each clip in order for them all to be saved to an external file.


Thank you for the information and quick response.

Sep 11, 2023 2:01 PM in response to dtdavis

Hello dtdavis,


We would complete the steps provided in the previous post, if you have not.


For example, you are running macOS 13.5.1, but 13.5.2 is available: What's new in the updates for macOS Ventura So, use the following to ensure it's up to date for the latest fixes: Update macOS on Mac


You can also review how to test this further with a new library and project, as mentioned above.


To learn more, do you use Desktop & Documents in iCloud? Do you have any issues saving other files to the desktop?


Let us know how these steps go.


Take care.

Saved iMovie projects on my desktop get deleted upon closing the app?

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