New Mac - How to NOT see other user's files on desktop

[smalex1986@]

First mac in a while. I just set it up so that I'm an admin and my wife's user account is a standard user. I noticed that anytime she adds a file on her desktop it appears on my desktop as well. Is there a way to set it up so that the two accounts are completely independent (i.e. whatever files/folders appear on her desktop will NOT appear on my desktop and vice verca so she won't see my files on her desktop).

I prefer a very clean desktop look whereas she has a bunch of files/folders - so we want to keep separate experiences.

 

[Taz Mangus]

By any chance are you and your wife sharing the same Apple ID?

Open System Preferences->Apple ID->iCloud, for iCloud Drive, click on Options... button. Is Desktop & Documents Folders checked off?

If you are sharing the same Apple ID and that option is checked, both you and your wife will see the same files on your Desktop.

 

[smalex1986@]

Yes we are using the same apple id since that is what our apple music is tied to.

Is there a way to use the the same apple id but not see each others files?

If not, is there a way to switch the apple ID on her account?

 

[Taz Mangus]

Open System Preferences->Apple ID->iCloud, for iCloud Drive, click on Options... button. Uncheck Desktop & Documents Folders in your account or your wife’s account.

 

[smalex1986@]

Ah, I misunderstood. Thanks - that worked perfectly.

 

[Taz Mangus]

You may not to consider setting up separate Apps IDs for you and your wife, that you and your wife can take advantage of using iCloud to backup your wife's without getting them mixed together. My wife and I have separate Apple IDs and we have a third common Apple ID which we use for sharing music and contacts.