Lost Desktop shortcuts on Catalina

I lost desktop shortcut images on my Catalina OS Mac DESKTOP - not a MacBook. The screen is now blank except for the sidebar and top menu bar. It has something to do with having clicked a choice in Finder about storing stuff on iCloud, I think, but I need to have everything showing on the local desktop. I can see the items in a folder (I assume it's a folder) labeled "Desktop - Owner's iMac." I haven't been able to relaunch Finder to see if that solves the problem. Any suggestions? Thanks.

MacBook

Posted on Feb 8, 2024 1:12 PM

Top-ranking reply

D.I. Johnson

Level 8

41,003 points

Posted on Feb 8, 2024 1:23 PM

You enabled syncing of those items in iCloud.

If you open a new Finder window you'll find your files and folders by clicking iCloud Drive in the side bar.

Any other devices that are signed with your Apple ID can also access those files and folders. That's the beauty of iCloud.

To undo this, you'll want to go to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive and uncheck the box for Desktop & Documents Folders.

For additional info and guidance, please see:

Set up iCloud Drive - Apple Support

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Lost Desktop shortcuts on Catalina

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