Desktop files gone after Sequoia update.

Unfortunately this doesn't work on my end.

I don't use iCloud file sync since several OS versions.

I have parallels (just updated) but I did not understand where to find " file/folder properties in Parallels - Windows 11 - File Explorer (removed Read Only and Hidden attributes). "

I tried to isolate the virtual machine but the problem persists.

Many thanks for your help,

G

Thanks everyone. Definitely a Parallels related issue for me. When I run Parallels Windows 11 VM, the files all get hidden, but if I log off and leave the laptop overnight, they usually return in the morning. Along with the also annoying appearance of the Desktop folder. But that also goes away after a couple of days. Someone needs to lose their programming licence for letting these get through.

Recent Parallels update didn't fix but wondering if Parallels know about the issue. Still all over the place with me (15.0.1). Was fine this morning when I logged in and then they all disappeared. Not sure what I was doing so can't tie it down.

I also have done this and my desktop re-appeared, However, when I re-started my Mac Book, the desktop disappeared again. I have checked all teh start up settings and this should not happen. Any ideas?

Don't think it's only a Parallels thing. I have a Mah Jong game which hid all the files as soon as I opened it, although it only happened once, and happens at other random times. Think there might be some other or additional cause.

What a pain, I do not use Parallels but I have the same problem. I did not set this up like this. Now I am being told by AI that I have to use my Time Machine to recover my data from iCloud and go into recovery mode to put the documents and desktop folders back on my Mac. I am using the latest OS (Sequoia 15.2) on a Mac mini M4.

This happened after upgrading to Sequoia. I'll have to check my Mac mini M2 to see if the same thing has happened to it after installing Sequoia.

I have spent a number of hours working on various Apple issues during the last few days. It's beginning to feel like Microsoft days again. What's going on Apple?

I think I will disconnect my external data drives before I try this procedure as a precaution. I'll also check the last backup date. I'm losing time to get things actually done on these computers. Curses!

I'll reply to my own post above. When I checked my iCloud settings I see that iCloud Drive is turned on and Desktop Documents and Folders are turned on as well. Since I have a copy of these two items on a flash drive, I'm going to see what happens if I keep iCloud Drive synced for my Contacts and Calendar and so forth but uncheck Desktop and Documents Folders. I have 5 Macs and I have consolidated the Document and Download folders onto an external SSD. I don't see the value in synching all 5 computers in this way. What would happen I wonder if they all were trying this at the same time? As far as the desktop folders are concerned. I may have to download the data to a flash drive from iCloud first and then keep the data there until I have this mess worked out.

What if my other Apple Silicon machines are set up this way after the Sequoia upgrade? We'll see. More wasted time.

Adding to my comments above. When you click on "Learn More" underneath "Desktop and Folders" in iCloud settings, it gives a reasonable explanation of the feature. So it does accommodate multiple Macs and all other devices that you have. Essentially, files that you direct to your Documents or Desktop folders will still be saved but instead of being stored on your Mac, they will be on your iCloud account.

You have the ability to download them. For me, it solves the problem of storing and multiple screenshots and cleaning up my desktops. Also, since I store many user manuals in my documents folders and many financial spreadsheets and personal music and text files etc., it could be quite handy having access to to them from my laptop wherever I may be and also from my iPhone.

Here's what else the "Learn More" says - "When you turn off Desktop & Documents Folders, your files stay in iCloud Drive and a new Desktop and Documents folder is created on your Mac in the home folder. You can move files from iCloud Drive to your Mac as you need them, or select all of your files and drag them to the place you want to keep them.

If you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud, a new Desktop and Documents folder is created in your home folder. You also have the option to keep a local copy of your files that are in iCloud Drive. If you keep a local copy of your files in iCloud Drive, they're copied to a folder called iCloud Drive (Archive) in your home folder. You can move any files that were in your iCloud Desktop and Documents to your new local Desktop and Documents.”

So if the feature is working as described I can use it. I can remove files from either place and store them on a Flash Drive and that way, delete them from iCloud as well. Perhaps this will help me rather than hinder me. There's hope.

NOTE: I do not use Parallels but this worked for me...

Settings --> Desktop & Dock

Under "Desktop & Stage Manager" I saw that "Show Items" was unchecked.

Once checked my Desktop items displayed correctly.

Check in /Users/yourname/Library/Mobile Documents/com-appie~CloudDocs for them

Thanks worked for me too. Still rather ridiculous for the update to do that but the work around worked thankfully.

Mine is not related to iCloud drive.

Only one teensy problem with this solution. We end up seeing files like thumbs.db and desktop.ini which need to be hidden again.

This worked! Thanks