Files on desktop?

[wayland1985]

I keep some of my most common files on my desktop.

I recently upgraded from a MBP to an iMac; I dragged my desktop files into an external drive for backup.

But, now when I use my new iMac, with the external drive attached, it says “File not found”.

Do files “stored” on the desktop only act as shortcuts? Does this mean my files are all lost?

 

[mikzn]

files on the desktop are not shortcuts, if you moved them to an external drive they should have copied there but should not be deleted on the desktop unless you trashed them after copying them to the other drive?

if your folders or files are "shortcuts" they should display an arrow in the bottom left corner of the icon?

hopefully you still have them on the back up drive

EDIT :
also might have something to do with the preferences < iCloud drive options setting? < "Desktop and Documents Folders"