'All my files' empty

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Level 1

8 points

'All my files' empty

So i just bought a new macbook air around 2 days ago, and the first thing i noticed was that when i open finder, the 'all my files' section was completely empty, i didn't give it much at first, since i haven't downloaded anything yet, though i did find it weird since i didn't have this problem/bug(?) on my old macbook pro.

Since then, i have downloaded Microsoft word and a few other small apps (since the last 2 days).

I have already searched this up, but none of the other solutions are working for me.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

MacBook Air, iOS 9.3.1, Brand new computer

Posted on Apr 14, 2016 3:49 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,308 points

Apr 14, 2016 4:49 AM in response to Etanic

Might be helpful to list the other solutions you tried so we don't repeat them.

All My Files is just a search. If it doesn't produce any results, my guess would be Spotlight index is corrupt or incomplete.

Spotlight: How to re-index folders or volumes - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Apr 14, 2016 8:25 AM in response to Etanic

The warranty entitles you to complimentary phone support for the first 90 days of ownership.

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Answer 3

Etanic Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2016 7:52 PM in response to Barney-15E

Thanks for the suggestion! I did this, and now items do pop up on 'This Mac', i don't know why all of them are pictures that i don't recognise, but that doesn't matter(?), but when i click on the 'all my files' search, it still doesn't show anything.

Now, i'm not exactly sure what is happening, but now 'all my files' show the screen shot above that i just took, but nothing else.

Shouldn't all my files show something like this?

(not my computer)

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Etanic

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Answer 4

Etanic Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2016 7:54 PM in response to Linc Davis

Is that still an option if i didn't buy it from an apple store? Cause i bought it at office works, or is it just for any apple product?

Thanks!

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Answer 5

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,308 points

Apr 14, 2016 7:56 PM in response to Etanic

Are you selecting All My Files from the Sidebar or Go menu?

You appear to be searching All My Files, not viewing it. It should look like the last screen shot.

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Answer 6

Rysz

Level 8

44,461 points

Apr 14, 2016 7:59 PM in response to Etanic

How did you transfer your files from the old computer to the new one?

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Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Apr 14, 2016 8:04 PM in response to Etanic

Is that still an option if i didn't buy it from an apple store?

Yes. It doesn't matter where you bought it.

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Answer 8

Etanic Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2016 11:28 PM in response to Barney-15E

I'm accessing it from the finder on the dock, another question, is the problem the search bar on the top?

Also, what should 'all my files' show? In terms of just pdfs, images, documents apps(?) etc...

Thanks!

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Answer 9

Etanic Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2016 11:32 PM in response to Rysz

I didn't transfer much i think, a few mp3 files, 3 folders, and some pictures by themselves.

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Answer 10

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,308 points

Apr 15, 2016 3:57 AM in response to Etanic

I don't think the search bar is the problem, just wondering why it shows. It should still search All My Files and generate a match.

It should show you every document inside your Home folder. For that reason, I find it completely useless.

If you don't have any documents in your Home folder, you are not going to see much of anything in the All My Files search folder.

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Answer 11

Apr 15, 2016 6:33 AM in response to Etanic

"All My Files" should not show applications, etc. It should show *your* own files, so it is quite natural that on a fresh installation it would be nearly empty.

I don't see anything wrong with how your mac is working, rather an error of perception on your part (no offense, just calling it as I see it).

Also, when you search and click the "This Mac" button you are no longer searching just your files, so a lot of things do come up.

(just as an example, ITLibArtwork.h (which is seen in your screenshot) is comes from the /Library in your mac, and is part of a framework used by iTunes, it is certainly not one of your documents; there are other similar files, plus audio files and a whole lot more).

FWIW, I find the "All My Files" thing to be of very little use. For a common user, there are simply too many files. A simple search with Command-F in your home folder allows for a directed approach to locating something, if you are not keen to organize things in a, well, organized manner). You can search for name, kind, content, date, etc.

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