On your Mac, click the Finder icon in the Dock to open a Finder window, then navigate to where you want to create the folder. Alternatively, click the desktop if you want to create the folder on the desktop. Choose File New Folder, or press Shift-Command-N. If the New Folder command is dimmed, you can’t create a folder in the current location. Is a developer of desktop and server virtualization software. Released on June 15, 2006, it was the first software product to bring mainstream virtualization to Macintosh computers utilizing the Apple–Intel architecture (earlier software products ran PC software in an emulated environment). Its name initially was 'Parallels Workstation for Mac OS X', which.

Oct 26, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

It might sound surprising, but a lot of Mac users undergo issues like this related to their Mac folder icons, dock, and desktop. For instance, the chances are that some folders can get disappeared from the desktop on Mac unexpectedly, or your Mac toolbar can get hidden as well. Don't worry – we are here to help you with every essential solution regarding Mac desktop and other related problems.

In this guide, we will discuss stepwise solutions related to numerous Mac desktop issues and even teach you how to get back lost Mac folders.

Why Does Everything on Desktop Disappear on Mac?

Before we discuss various Mac desktop issues, it is important to learn what could have caused them in the first place. When everything on my desktop disappeared on Mac, I tried to diagnose the problem and discovered the following reasons behind it:

• You could have accidentally deleted a file or icon from the desktop.
• The chances are that you might have disabled dock or taskbar.
• A third-party application could have changed your desktop settings.
• Mac settings would have been altered during an update or OS repair.
• There might be some change in the overall display or system settings on Mac.
• A clash between some other kernel and local OS process could have caused the issue.
• A broken firmware process or tamper with macOS can also cause the same.
• Sometimes, a virus or malware attack can also make your desktop icons or dock disappear.

Problem 1: Folders Disappeared From Desktop Mac

When it comes to everything disappearing from the desktop, the first problem must be the missing folders or hidden Mac folder icons. There would be a problem with system settings, or you might have accidentally deleted something as well. Don't worry – we have an easy solution for both of these issues.

1. Disable the iCloud Drive Sync

Many users have noticed that when the iCloud sync option is enabled on their Mac, it leads to the temporary unavailability of certain folders on the desktop. This is because while iCloud syncs the data, the relevant Mac folder icons become missing or hidden. If you want, you can wait for the sync to finish or disable it altogether.

1. Firstly, go to your Mac's System Preferences and open the iCloud application.
2. From here, disable the iCloud Drive option by unchecking it.
3. If you want, you can also go to its 'Options' to further customize things.

In the end, close the iCloud application on your Mac and go to the desktop to see if the icons are still missing or not on Mac.

2. Use a Missing Folder Recovery Tool

If you have accidentally deleted a folder from your Mac's desktop, then this would be an ideal solution for you. With Recoverit Mac Folder Recovery software's help, you can get back all kinds of deleted and lost content.

This includes the deleted folders on Mac as well. The tool is developed by Wondershare and is extremely easy to use. It can help you recover data lost due to a virus attack, formatted disk, accidental deletion, corrupt storage, and every other common scenario. The application features different scanning modes and is known for its high data recovery rate.

You can get the Mac desktop folder or any other content back using Recoverit by following these steps.

Step 1: Select the desktop disk.

Go to the official website of Wondershare Recoverit and install the recovery tool on your Mac. When you launch it, you can select a location to scan. In this case, we will be performing data recovery on Mac's internal hard drive (Macintosh HD) instead of any other connected source.

Step 2: Scan the desktop disk.

As soon as you click on the 'Start' button, Recoverit will take the needed steps for data extraction. If you want positive results, then try not to close the application in between.

Step 3: Preview and recover desktop folders.

When the data recovery process is completed, the application will display the results on the interface. You can go to any category of your choice from here and preview the retrieved content. Make the needed selection and click on the 'Recover' button to save your files to a secure location.

In this way, you can easily get your documents that were disappeared back on Mac. If the quick scan could not fulfill your requirements, you could do a deep scan as well. To do this, click on the 'All-around Recovery' and wait as Recoverit would extract data from your Mac's storage. While the deep scan would take more time than the quick scan, the results would also be far better.

How to Recover Desktop Files on Mac

Problem 2: Downloaded Folder on Mac's Dock Disappeared

If you are a regular Mac user, you must be familiar with the Downloads folder on Mac's dock. By default, the Downloads folder is available on the dock for us to access with a single click. Nevertheless, there are times when the Downloads folder gets disappeared from Mac's dock. You would have done it by mistake, or an overwriting of settings could have also caused the same issue. To fix this and get the Download folder back on the dock, follow these steps:

1. Drag the Downloads Folder from the Home Directory

This is the easiest and the fastest solution to get the Downloads folder back on Mac's dock. Firstly, we will go to the Home directory to access the folder, and later we will reposition it on the dock.

1. First, click on the 'Go' option on the menu and open the Home directory from here.
2. Once the Home directory is opened, you can access multiple folders from here. Find the 'Downloads' folder where all the downloaded data is stored.
3. Now, drag the Downloads folder and drop it to a relevant position on the dock. This will make the Downloads folder reappear on the dock.

2. Reset the Mac Dock

If the dock on your Mac is not working in an ideal manner, then you should consider resetting it as well. This will restore the dock to its default settings, which would automatically have the Downloads icon present. Here's how you can quickly reset the dock and even resolve issues as the Mac dock disappeared.

1. Click on the 'Go' option from the menu and visit the 'Utilities' folder.
2. Here, you can view all the utility tools on your Mac. Launch the Terminal app from here.
3. Now, enter the following commands on Terminal and press Enter: defaults delete com.apple.dock; killall Dock
4. Close Terminal and try to access the Downloads folder on the dock once again.

Problem 3: Mac Desktop Icons Disappeared

A lot of times, users complain that their Mac's desktop icons have been disappeared. Why did Mac desktop icons disappear? What can make the icons gone? Sometimes missing icons are due to disk permissions or a macOS fault. In most cases, the reason is simple. An application could have overwritten the desktop icon settings, making them hidden or go missing. Therefore, if you wish to get your Mac icons back, then follow these steps.

1. Click on the Finder on your desktop and go to its Preferences.
2. Once the Finder Preferences tab is opened, go to its General section.
3. Here, you can see an option to show various icons on Mac. Just make sure that the relevant options (like hard disk, connected drives, etc.) are enabled here.

Problem 4: Toolbar on Mac Disappeared

The toolbar is one of the most important features on Mac's desktop, which is often termed as the 'menu bar' by many. Apart from having the icons of the important apps, it also gives us access to numerous settings and tools. Also, it displays time, notifications and helps us manage our system. Though, there could be a change in your system's settings that might have made the Mac toolbar hidden. You can easily fix the Mac toolbar missing issue by following these solutions.

1. Use System Preferences to Show the Toolbar

Just like the dock, you can also get back the Mac toolbar hidden on your desktop via System Preferences.

1. Firstly, go to the Apple menu on the top left and visit System Preferences.
2. From here, visit the General preference panel settings to explore the available options.
3. Under the Appearance section, you can view an option for 'Automatically hide and show the menu bar.' Just disable this feature by unchecking the box to make the toolbar stay on Mac's desktop.

2. Exit the Full-Screen Mode

Mac comes with a full-screen feature that lets us have an uninterrupted and wider view of the screen. While the full-screen mode is good for watching videos, it makes the Mac toolbar hidden, making it harder for you to access its settings. Therefore, you can exit the full-screen mode to get the toolbar back.

To exit the full-screen mode, go to the menu bar location, and hover the cursor. Once you see it, go to the 'View' menu and click on 'Exit Full Screen.'

Additionally, you can also use the keyboard shortcuts to do the same as well. Just press the Command + Control + F keys at the same time to exit the full-screen mode and get back to the toolbar on your Mac.

Problem 5: Mac Dock Disappeared

As you know, the dock is the inbuilt feature of Mac that allows us to access all the vital apps and settings quickly. Ideally, you can customize your Mac's dock as per your needs. Sometimes, while customizing, users end up hiding the dock by mistake. Also, a sudden change in your OS can cause this problem. When my dock disappeared on my Mac, I followed these steps, and it quickly solved the problem.

1. Use System Preferences to Hide or Show the Dock

The easiest way to fix the Mac dock disappeared is by visiting the System Preferences on your Mac and changing the dock settings.

1. Firstly, go to the Apple logo on the top and click on the 'System Preferences' button.
2. From the System Preferences window, you can open the 'Dock' settings.
3. Here, you can see an option for 'Automatically hide and show the Dock.' Ensure that the feature is disabled (unchecked) so that the dock will stay visible all the time.

Folders For Mac Desktop

2. Use the Keyboard to Show or Hide the Dock

As you know, Mac has a setting to hide the dock automatically, and it will only be visible when we hover the mouse over it. If you still can't access the dock, follow this quick drill to fix the Mac dock disappeared issue.

1. Move the mouse arrow over the dock to view it or press the Option + D keys simultaneously.
2. Once the dock is visible, right-click it to get its context menu.
3. From here, click on the 'Turn Hiding Off' option, which will make the dock static and visible permanently.

After reading this post, you would resolve queries related to the toolbar on Mac disappeared, or Mac dock disappeared. From getting back the missing dock to desktop icons, we have listed solutions for every common issue. If the Mac folder icons are missing on the desktop, then consider using Recoverit Data Recovery to get them back. If you have accidentally deleted some files, you will retrieve them using this reliable data recovery tool. You can also download it for free on your Mac and use it when needed to recover missing files and folders without any trouble.

What's Wrong with Mac

Recover Your Mac

Fix Your Mac

Delete Your Mac

Learn Mac Hacks

Sep 28, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

The largest hard drive your Mac can handle runs into terabytes, but that doesn't mean you can't fill it up with files over-time. The simple truth of the matter is, there is never enough space for your Mac.

As technology grows, the size of the file also grows. For instance, with the introduction of 4K technology, a single movie can be as large as 32GB or more; 10 years ago, that movie would have been 700mb or less.

This all means you need to know how to delete files and folders on your Mac. Refer to the steps below to go about doing just that.

Part 1: How to Delete Files and Folders on Mac

Life is better when it's easy, wouldn't you say? Apple clearly understands this, which is why the American tech giant made their Mac so easy and convenient to use.

You might argue this is not always the case because certainly, the making of any Mac system is a complex process, but using it completely belies all that because you can achieve so much in so little time with just the click of a few buttons and push of a few keys. Deleting files and folders on your Mac is a breeze. You can easily get rid of gigabytes or even terabytes of data in mere seconds; at worst, minutes. Keep reading and you'll see how.

Solution 1: Trash

1. Navigate to where the files or folders to be deleted are. It doesn't matter if they're in your Mac's 'Downloads' folder or your desktop or anywhere else. The process is still the same, but don't open the folders or files.

2. Right-click on the files or folders which you want to delete from your Mac.

3. In the drop-down menu you see, click on 'Move to Trash.' And that's that. All done.

Solution 2: Keyboard Shortcut

1. Once more, highlight or select all the files and folders to be deleted.

2. Press these keys at once: 'Command' + 'Delete.' The files will go poof and disappear from the Mac. To confirm this, just listen out for the crunching noise your Mac makes when files are moved to the Trash.

Solution 3: Access 'Delete Immediately' from the Finder

1. Highlight the files and folders to be removed from your Mac.

2. Press the 'Option' key and leave your finger on it.

3. Move your cursor to your Mac's menu bar and click on 'File.'

4. In the drop-down menu which appears, select 'Delete Immediately…'

5. Click 'Delete' to confirm your selection in the next dialogue box to open up.

Part 2: How to Permanently Delete Files on Mac

Sometimes, don't you feel as if you want to delete all files and folders for good? Going to your Mac's Trash and emptying it manually is a waste of time and effort (or, maybe you're just lazy). And permanently deleting the files and folders saves you time too, because it's very quick and efficient.

Your macOS has such an option for your convenience. But make sure you really want the files permanently gone because once you input the commands and your macOS gets rid f them, they're well and truly gone for good.

So, heed this advice and always check the contents of the folders to be deleted. It's possible there could be something in there that's important.

Deleting files permanently using Finder was already discussed in Part 1, so the only options left now are via Keyboard Shortcut and Mac's Terminal. Proceed to the next step:

Solution 1: Keyboard Shortcut

1. Highlight or select all the files or folders you want to delete.

2. Press these keys simultaneously: 'Option' + 'Command' + 'Delete.'

3. A pop-up message will ask you if you wish to confirm. Click on 'Delete' and your files will be securely deleted.

Solution 2: Mac Terminal

1. Click on your 'Apple' menu > 'System Preferences' > 'Keyboard'.

2. Click on 'Shortcuts' atop the dialogue window and then 'Services' on the left-hand pane.

3. If 'New Terminal at Folder' under the 'Services' category is not ticked, make sure you tick it (it's located in the central part of the 'Keyboard' dialogue window).

4. Open your Mac's 'Finder'. Go to the folder with the files to be permanently deleted.

5. Right-click on the chosen folder (make sure you don't enter it, though). Click 'Services' found the below the drop-down menu which appears.

6. Another drop-down window will appear. Click on 'New Terminal at Folder.'

7. The Terminal window will open up. Type this command into it: rm -P PrivateFile.txt (In the example above, 'PrivateFile' is the name of the file to be deleted. When you wish to use Terminal to delete your file, type in the same command preceding 'PrivateFile' but replace it with the name of the file you want to delete).

Part 3: How to Delete Locked Files on Mac

This one will be a bit tricky, as you might suspect. It's perfectly understandable why you would want to lock your files, though. A personal computer is supposed to extremely secure and locking your files is one way to guarantee that.

But what happens when the locked files have exhausted their use and you want o get rid of them? You have three options to choose from. Each is as effective as the next, so the choice is yours.

Solution 1: Secure Empty Trash.

1. There is a difference between 'Trash' and 'Secure Empty Trash'. You should be aware of that. Drag the locked file or files into 'Trash' on your Mac's application dock.

2. Open the 'Trash' in Finder. Click on 'File'.

3. In the drop-down menu you see, click on 'Secure Empty Trash.' The locked file should now be deleted.

Solution 2: Altering File Permissions

1. Right-click on the locked file. In the drop-down menu, click on 'Get Info.'

2. You will see a checkbox with the word 'Locked' in front of it. If the checkbox is not greyed out, untick it and attempt to delete the file. If, on the other hand, it is greyed out, that's an indication that you lack the proper permission to be able to access or modify the file.

3. Press and leave your finger on the 'Option' key. Go to your 'Apple' menu and click on 'File'. In the drop-down menu, click on 'Show Inspector'.

4. In the next menu, you see, there is a triangle adjacent to 'Ownership and Permissions.' Click on the triangle to expand.

5. You now have better access and can view the file permissions. Changing them entails you press the 'Lock' icon. You will then be asked for your administrator password. Input it.

6. Click on 'You Can' > 'Read & Write'

7. The checkbox adjacent to 'Locked' will no longer be greyed out, meaning it is now accessible. Untick the checkbox and delete the files as you would normally. Presto! You're done. You can say good-bye to your locked files.

Solution 3: Terminal

1. Open up your 'Applications' > 'Utilities' > 'Terminal'.

2. Type this command in Terminal and press 'Enter/Return': sudo chflags nouchg [path to the file] (The 'path to file' in the command above is the path to the directory of the locked file).

For example, if you want to delete a doc file that's located in the Microsoft Word folder within your Applications folder, this will be the command you type in Terminal:

Alternatively, you can drag and dump the locked file in your Mac's Terminal window to automatically input the file path.

3. If the command up there doesn't get the job done, there's another that definitely will. Think of it as a brute force attack because it 'force deletes' the file. Type this command in Terminal and press 'Enter/Return': sudo rm -r [path to the file]

Part 4: How to Recover Deleted Files on Mac

Do you consider yourself the most cautious individual on the planet? You could be, but as cautious and careful as you are, a day will still come when you delete files that are important to you. And you'll only realize your blunder the moment you empty your Trash.

The reason isn't always clear why attempts are often made to recover files that were intentionally deleted. Yes, the deed could have been done by way of an accident; or maybe you simply forgot the just-deleted files contained important documents.

Whatever your excuse, Recoverit Data Recovery will pull you out of hot water. This powerful software not only recovers all deleted files and folders, but it does so with little stress placed on your system's memory and with the utmost speed.

You don't need any complicated instructions or a manual on how to use Recoverit. Just follow the three simple steps below.

Step 1: Choose a Location

Start your Recoverit and select a drive under the 'Hard Disk Drives' category for scanning. Choose the drive where the files and folders were deleted from. Click 'Start.'

Step 2: Scan the Location

The scan should start and be done in no time. A window will pop up and show you a preview of the files and folders you deleted from your Mac.

As you can imagine, they will be much in number, but Recoverit foresaw that. The software gives you a choice of utilizing filters to narrow down and hasten the search.

'File Type' or 'File Path' are two of the options available for you to play around with. You can also stop or pause the search midway, and that's a feature that can come in quite handy when you're engaged with other activities.

Step 3: Preview & Recover Deleted Files

A window will pop up. In it will be a preview of the deleted files and folders. Click 'Recover'. Your files and folders will be recovered and kept safely on your Mac.

A word of caution: Neither keep nor save the recovered files in the same hard drive the search was run on. You can save it in any other drive without worries about anything going wrong.

Recoverit Mac Data Recovery is great data recovery software not just in name. It's a tried and true data recovery software for your Mac that never fails to achieve the results you want.

Part 5: Tips for Deleting Files and Folder on Mac

It's possible you may have come across some of these tips or not, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be reminded of them now, does it? A few, simple tips can go a long way in making life easier, and the same applies to delete files and folders on your Mac.

• You can easily delete files or folders but pressing 'Command' + 'Z' undoes the action and takes your files back to their directories. But this only works if you press the keys immediately after deleting the files/folders.
• Open up your Trash and check the contents before emptying it. You never know whether you'll see a file or folder that could still be of some use to you.

• The 'Option' + 'Command' + 'Delete' keys only work when you're on Finder. If you're running another app and you press the keys, you'll just receive a warning notification, so take note of that.
• You can disable the feature that asks you for a 'yes' confirmation each time you want to empty Trash to make the action faster. Go to your Finder menu and open up 'Preferences', then select 'Advanced' and untick the box which displays a warning each time Trash is to be emptied.
• You're better of deleting a few large files than tirelessly going through endless small-sized folders. It will save you time and effort.

Desktop Folders Disappeared

Closing Words

Deleting files on your Mac is probably going to be an everyday action. It's safe to assume you use your Mac every day, and you'll likely be downloading or copying new files all the time, however small in size they may be.

If you allow these files and folders to keep taking up space in your Mac, you'll eventually have to delete some of them, but you won't know which because there are so many in number; sifting through them will be another time-consuming process too.

To avoid all this, delete files you don't need as often as possible. And if you err and delete something important, you only need to run Recoverit and let it resolve the problem. Simple, stress-free, and efficient: Those are the words underlying Recoverit's design.

What's Wrong with Mac

Folders For Mac Desktop Windows 10

Recover Your Mac

Fix Your Mac

Delete Your Mac

Learn Mac Hacks