NVappleGirl

Q: Somehow the documents and folders icons disappeared

From my hard drive, to me, it is helpful to view my files the third selection from the menu which is view with icons, and in a list, with however many lists I have.  One day, I noticed that I no longer have the icon folders anymore so I do not know which are folders and which aren't.  Also, when I select a document or an image, I no longer have the preview to the right of the document, the folder or the image.  This was extremely helpful to me.  I do not know what happened.  How can I get that feature back.  Please help!  Thanks

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011)

Posted on May 13, 2016 1:25 PM

Close

Q: Somehow the documents and folders icons disappeared

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root May 14, 2016 8:27 AM in response to NVappleGirl
    Level 9 (69,813 points)
    iTunes
    May 14, 2016 8:27 AM in response to NVappleGirl

    Might be a corrupt .plist.

     

    Do a backup, preferably 2 backups on 2 separate drives.

     

    Quit the application.

     

    In Finder hold down the option/alt key while selecting the Go menu item. Select Library. Then go to Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist. Move the .plist to your desktop.

     

    Restart the computer, open the application and test. If it works okay, delete the plist from the desktop.

     

    If the application is the same, return the .plist to where you got it from, overwriting the newer ones.

     

    If you want to make your user library permanently visible, run the below command in Applications/Utilities/Terminal.

     

    chflags nohidden ~/Library/

     

    You will need to do that after any updates.