Missing Desktop Icons (shortcuts)

[StarShot]

With Big Sur, some of my quick desktop links are missing. For example, a link to an Excel file and a link to a TextEdit are missing. I can access the Excel file by open Excel and I can also access my TextEdit files in the same manner.

I know there is a procedure to restoring the short cuts to my Desktop as it's happened before. I just don't remember how I did it. If anyone knows, I would sure appreciate it.

Thanks...

 

[joevt]

Items on the desktop are stored in the Desktop folder of your user folder.
~/Desktop

Check the other user folders at /Users or on any other macOS disks you have, e.g. /Volumes/Catalina/Users

I am thinking about aliases. If a "quick desktop link" is something else, then I may be wrong.

 

[Kat17man]

Items on the desktop are stored in the Desktop folder of your user folder.
~/Desktop

Check the other user folders at /Users or on any other macOS disks you have, e.g. /Volumes/Catalina/Users

I am thinking about aliases. If a "quick desktop link" is something else, then I may be wrong.

I think you're exactly right as I've seen that term elsewhere (aliases). The question now is how to make aliases appear on my Desktop.

 

[joevt]

I think you're exactly right as I've seen that term elsewhere (aliases). The question now is how to make aliases appear on my Desktop.

Are the items in the ~/Desktop folder? Press command-shift-G in the Finder and paste that into the "Go to the folder:" text box.

 

[sprague.rod]

Creating an Alias to a file, folder or app is simple a matter of finding it in a Finder window an right clicking it. You will see Make Alias as an option. You then drag the Alias to the Desktop.

 

[StarShot]

I guess I need a session with an Apple Genius when they open that option up in the future. I don't understand what a "alias" is in relation to macOS. All I now is several items have disappears from my desktop, but still exist in other locations. For example, the Excel spreadsheet is still available when I load Excel and go to recents. I'm guessing I accidentally hit some key combination that cleaned off my desktop.

 

[joevt]

Maybe the Finder is having problems drawing the desktop.
Open the Desktop in a new Finder Window. Does it contain anything?

 

[StarShot]

Maybe the Finder is having problems drawing the desktop.
Open the Desktop in a new Finder Window. Does it contain anything?

How do I do that (open a new finder window)?

 

[joevt]

How do I do that (open a new finder window)?

"Finder" is an app that comes with macOS.
Select "New Finder Window..." in the "File" menu of the "Finder" app.

Navigate to your user home folder and open "Desktop".

In the Finder "Go" menu, there's an item for the "Home" folder and another menu item for the "Desktop".

 

[Kat17man]

"Finder" is an app that comes with macOS.
Select "New Finder Window..." in the "File" menu of the "Finder" app.

Navigate to your user home folder and open "Desktop".

In the Finder "Go" menu, there's an item for the "Home" folder and another menu item for the "Desktop".

Yes, I've done that and under Desktop, I see all the items I formally had on the Desktop. However from there I don't see any path to replace the Desktop icons. I assume I hit some key combination that messed up my desktop. Thanks again for trying to help my restore my Desktop (if I ever get there)

 

[iStorm]

I'm guessing StarShot is also Kat17man? Not sure if we're trying to help one person or two...

Anyway, another thing to check is to see if stacks has been enabled, which could cause some files or aliases to appear to be missing. Right-click or control-click the desktop and make sure 'Use Stacks' is unchecked. If it is checked, files and aliases of similar types will be grouped or hidden under different icons called stacks. For example, all pictures and photos would be grouped under a stack called Images, Excel documents would be grouped under a stack called 'Spreadsheets'.

 

[joevt]

Yes, I've done that and under Desktop, I see all the items I formally had on the Desktop. However from there I don't see any path to replace the Desktop icons. I assume I hit some key combination that messed up my desktop. Thanks again for trying to help my restore my Desktop (if I ever get there)

What if you go into Finder preferences, General tab, under "Show these items on the desktop", deselect all the items, then select all of them again. Does the Finder desktop change as the items are changed.

I'm guessing StarShot is also Kat17man? Not sure if we're trying to help one person or two...

Anyway, another thing to check is to see if stacks has been enabled, which could cause some files or aliases to appear to be missing. Right-click or control-click the desktop and make sure 'Use Stacks' is unchecked. If it is checked, files and aliases of similar types will be grouped or hidden under different icons called stacks. For example, all pictures and photos would be grouped under a stack called Images, Excel documents would be grouped under a stack called 'Spreadsheets'.

Yeah, maybe the "Use Stacks" option.

 

[StarShot]

I'm guessing StarShot is also Kat17man? Not sure if we're trying to help one person or two...

Anyway, another thing to check is to see if stacks has been enabled, which could cause some files or aliases to appear to be missing. Right-click or control-click the desktop and make sure 'Use Stacks' is unchecked. If it is checked, files and aliases of similar types will be grouped or hidden under different icons called stacks. For example, all pictures and photos would be grouped under a stack called Images, Excel documents would be grouped under a stack called 'Spreadsheets'.

BINGO! "Use Stacks" was checked. I have no memory of "checking" that box. Must have been a random key stroke. THANKS!!!