Applications and Documents folder not on dock in OS 10.6.3

Restoring Folders to the Dock

If you've lost your Applications or Documents or Downloads folder from the Dock, don't worry. The folders on the Dock are just aliases (shortcuts), pointing to the actual folders. They can be removed from the Dock simply by dragging them away from the Dock and letting go, where they will disappear in puff of smoke. Here's how to get them back.

1. Open Finder
2. For the Applications folder, click on "Macintosh HD" on the Finder sidebar
3. Drag the Applications folder from the right side of Finder to the right side of the Dock. (1st image)
4. For the Documents folder, click on your user name on the Finder sidebar
5. Drag the Downloads folder from the right side of Finder to the right side of the Dock. (2nd image)
6. To change the icons on the Dock, right-click on them and select "Display as: Folder"
7. To change the sort order of the items in the Dock folder, right-click and make your selection under "Sort by"

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It's perfectly normal for the Macintosh HD to appear on your Desktop, like any other connected drive. If you don't want them there, go to Finder > Preferences > General and uncheck what you don't want.

 

Re: Restoring folders to the dock

Thank you so very much!! I accidentally deleted my documents folder from the dock months ago and figured out how to replace it but could not figure out how to change the icon to the folder picture instead of "stacks", which was driving me batty. I always like learning something new about my Mac. Thanks a million!