Cannot view/create files on desktop

[PCfatigue]

Hey all,

This is my first Mac, a new air m1, and for the life of me, I cannot understand how to put a file or folder on my desktop. I tried right clicking on the desktop, but no menu appears. I have saved them to my desktop but they do not appear there, only in Finder. What am I missing here? I am sorry if this has been asked a thousand times before, but I must not be able to word my problem well enough to come up with any solutions by searching for the answer. therefore I thank you for any help!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Hey all,

This is my first Mac, a new air m1, and for the life of me, I cannot understand how to put a file or folder on my desktop. I tried right clicking on the desktop, but no menu appears. I have saved them to my desktop but they do not appear there, only in Finder. What am I missing here? I am sorry if this has been asked a thousand times before, but I must not be able to word my problem well enough to come up with any solutions by searching for the answer. therefore I thank you for any help!

In finder on the left hand side one of the areas to save things is your desktop. Can you see that?

 

[PCfatigue]

In finder on the left hand side one of the areas to save things is your desktop. Can you see that?

Yes, and I have several files saved on desktop. They, the icons, are not viewable on the desktop only in Finder.

 

[Richard8655]

Right clicking anywhere on your desktop should immediately bring up a menu with creating a new folder as one option. If that's not happening, are you sure your mouse is sensing right clicks properly?

Also, for folders not visible on the Desktop, in System Preferences in iCloud (click on Apple ID), see if under the iCloud Drive options that Desktop Folders are checked there or not. Try unchecking.

 

[DeltaMac]

I wonder if you have those files moved to a different screen/space? Those files would not appear on your default desktop, until you remove any other spaces -- and would explain why those files exist in your Desktop folder (the Finder), but don't appear on the screen. That can happen if you have created other spaces/screens, which you could have done without realizing it.

 

[PCfatigue]

Right clicking anywhere on your desktop should immediately bring up a menu with creating a new folder as one option. If that's not happening, are you sure your mouse is sensing right clicks properly?

Also, for folders not visible on the Desktop, in System Preferences in iCloud (click on Apple ID), see if under the iCloud Drive options that Desktop Folders are checked there or not. Try unchecking.

No menu with the mouse or trackpad when right clicking, Icloud docs and desktop is unchecked.

 

[PCfatigue]

I wonder if you have those files moved to a different screen/space? Those files would not appear on your default desktop, until you remove any other spaces -- and would explain why those files exist in your Desktop folder (the Finder), but don't appear on the screen. That can happen if you have created other spaces/screens, which you could have done without realizing it.

No other spaces, have hardly used this laptop,, but I suspect is has something to do with iCloud.

 

[DeltaMac]

But, you said those files ARE in your user/Desktop folder... (?)
Can you try dragging the "hidden" files out of that folder - to your actual desktop?

 

[Richard8655]

No menu with the mouse or trackpad when right clicking, Icloud docs and desktop is unchecked.

Maybe try logging out and back into iCloud. I also suspect something to do with iCloud. Also, take a look at these suggestions:

Desktop Icons are Missing or Disappeared on Mac • macReports

Several users have said that they experience a macOS problem where the desktop icons are missing and not showing up. It further appears that everything on

macreports.com

 

[PCfatigue]

But, you said those files ARE in your user/Desktop folder... (?)
Can you try dragging the "hidden" files out of that folder - to your actual desktop?

I open finder, go to home and in the desktop folder I have files. The files are not hidden and I cannot drag files to the desktop, not can I right click and do anything on the desktop. My Drive does not appear on the desktop either

 

[PCfatigue]

Maybe try logging out and back into iCloud. I also suspect something to do with iCloud. Also, take a look at these suggestions:

Desktop Icons are Missing or Disappeared on Mac • macReports

Several users have said that they experience a macOS problem where the desktop icons are missing and not showing up. It further appears that everything on

macreports.com

Thank you so much! I have been trying to figure this out for several days, not all day long mind you, and have been through many many YouTube videos and web sights with no answer and all I had to do was go to the terminal and enter "defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop true; killall Finder" from the link you sent. I still do not know how this happened, I can even get the right menu back. Crazy man!

 

[Richard8655]

In Finder Preferences/General, make sure all boxes are checked to shows drives and everything else on the Desktop.

 

[PCfatigue]

In Finder Preferences/General, make sure all boxes are checked to shows drives and everything else on the Desktop.

That was one of first things I did. I believe this was all iCloud related. When I setup the laptop out of the box. I should have never accept the default settings.

 

[Richard8655]

I agree, probably iCloud related. Ultimately, if possible considering pandemic restrictions, can always take it to an Apple Store Genius Bar where they should be able to correct this (no charge). I had to visit them a few years ago with something I couldn't solve on my Mac Mini.