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Desktop can't be opened because the original item can't be found.

Hi everyone. I am now getting the message Desktop can't be opened because the original item can't be found. Please help! I can't save things to my desktop or choose a file from my desktop. This happened when i updated to Big Sur.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Mar 9, 2021 2:45 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 9, 2021 3:15 PM

1 - log into another vanilla admin user account, Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac and see if the problem persists. (This tells us if the problem is limited to your user account or is system wide).


2 - boot into Safe Mode by booting with the Shift key held down and check there to see if the problem persists.  Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 9, 2021 3:15 PM in response to dasugarcane

1 - log into another vanilla admin user account, Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac and see if the problem persists. (This tells us if the problem is limited to your user account or is system wide).


2 - boot into Safe Mode by booting with the Shift key held down and check there to see if the problem persists.  Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


Desktop can't be opened because the original item can't be found.

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