Cannot Access Desktop

Question

Cannot Access Desktop

I just did a clean re-installation of Catalina, and afterwards I restored my documents etc with Time Machine.

Since then I cannot access the desktop. I can see in Finder that I have files there, but they do not appear on the desktop, and I also cannot add any new file or folder to the desktop.

I have disabled the iCloud app from System Preferences > Apple ID, since I read that might be a reason, and I can see in the Disk Utility that I have both Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD - Data.

But, I cannot see Macintosh HD - Data in Finder, and I have a vague memory that I used to see both Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD - Data in Finder before I re-installed the mac.

Does anyone know what I can do to restore it all to it's former glory?

Thank you!

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 7, 2020 11:32 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

67,558 points

Sep 8, 2020 11:55 AM in response to KristianWaitz

It is not surprising that you can't drag that folder to the Desktop, because it already is there.

The matter of course remains of why they are not showing.

Do they appear if you start in Safe Mode?

Also, you might want to try deleting Finder preferences.

Press command-shift-G and type

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Finder.plist

drag the file to the trash, and relaunch the Finder. Any changes?

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

116,680 points

Sep 7, 2020 6:57 PM in response to KristianWaitz

But, I cannot see Macintosh HD - Data in Finder, and I have a vague memory that I used to see both Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD - Data in Finder

You are not supposed to see it in the Finder. In the Finder, they are merged into one location.

When you turned off Desktop & Documents in iCloud Drive, how did you transfer your files from the cloud back to your Mac? Did you select the option to keep local copies or not? Did you then transfer the files either from iCloud Drive or from the Archive folder?

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Answer 3

Sep 8, 2020 11:35 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thanks, I chose to keep a copy when I turned off Desktop & Documents. So In my Finder I can see all files and folders that should be on my Desktop and in my Documents, but I don't visually see them on the desktop, and I cannot drag anything onto the desktop, as you can see on the screen recording below.

https://youtu.be/WhETIJS9hNQ

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Answer 4

Sep 8, 2020 12:47 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Great, that was it. I couldn't drag any file from any location. But I deleted Finder.plist, restarted in Safe Mode, and then I could access the desktop as normal and the files and folder were there. I restarted again normally, and now all seems to be working fine again.

Thank you very much!!!

Kristian

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Cannot Access Desktop

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