Recover Folder Disappeared from Desktop on Mac and Windows
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Users like to place their frequently-used folders or files on the desktop so that they can get quick access to those files whenever they need them. But they don't know that this habit dramatically increases the danger of data loss caused by accidental deletion, system crash, or sudden power failure. As a result, the demand for recovering folders disappeared from the desktop arise. In this article, we will show you various ways to recover desktop files disappeared on Mac and Windows computers.
How find downloads on your Mac in the dock Those icons at the bottom of your screen – the ones that give quick access to programs – comprise the dock, and in that dock is a quick link to your. The download folder on Mac can often contain important files. We have all deleted quite a lot of folders in a bid to get back some precious space on our Macs, and the in-built utility for disk cleanup is a handy tool in such cases.
Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
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Top 6 Ways to Recover Folder Disappeared from Desktop on Mac |
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Top 3 Ways to Recover Folder Disappeared from Desktop on Windows 10/8/7 |
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Part 1. Top 6 Ways to Recover Folder Disappeared from Desktop on Mac
If you are a Mac user, you can get 4 effective ways to restore Mac desktop files. Among them, the most effective way is to recover missing Mac files with EaseUS Mac data recovery software. If you don't want to use data recovery software, you can try other ways below.
Tip 1. Recover Folder Disappeared from Desktop with Software
The most effective way to get back disappeared desktop files is by using the professional Mac data recovery software. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac can perfectly support all versions of Mac operating systems (macOS 10.15 ~ 10.9). It can restore deleted files, and data from formatted and inaccessible hard drive partition with simple steps.
Follow these steps to recover desktop files on a Mac device:
Step 1. Select the disk location (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device) where you lost data and files. Click the 'Scan' button.
Step 2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results on the left pane.
Step 3. In the scan results, select the file(s) and click the 'Recover Now' button to have them back.
Tip 2. Restore Missing files on Mac via Trash
If you accidentally deleted Mac desktop files, you can retrieve them from Trash easily. Follow these steps to get back deleted desktop files on Mac.
Step 1. Open the Trash Bin icon on your desktop, and you can see all the deleted files there.
Step 2. Find the files you want to recover, drag them to the desktop. Or right-click on them and select the 'put back' option to recover deleted files on Mac from the Trash. The files will return to their original location.
Tip 3. Get Back Deleted Files on Mac with Terminal
The terminal command can only recover deleted files from Trash on Mac. If you drag your Mac files to Trash, you can get them back with Terminal.
Step 1. Go to 'Finder > Applications > Utilities' and double-click 'Terminal'.
Step 2. Type command cd .Trash and press the 'Return' key on your Mac
Step 3. Input 'mv xxx./' and hit 'Return'. (xxx means the name of the deleted file)
Step 4. Type 'Quit' in the Terminal to exit the Terminal window.
Tip 4. Use Finder to Find Missing Mac Desktop Files
First, relaunch the Finder by clicking the Apple logo at the left top corner > Force Quit > Finder > Relaunch. If this doesn't work, you can try troubleshooting with the Finder.
Step 1. Open 'Finder', select your folder/file, then right-click on it and select 'Get Info'.
Step 2. In the info panel, click on 'folder/file preview' in the top left corner. And hit backspace ( ← ) on your keyboard when the preview is highlighted.
Step 3. Login as administrator to authorize your action when asked.
Tip 5. Turn Off iCloud Drive to Restore Missing Desktop Files
You can sync the local desktop and document folder to iCloud Drive on Mac. The desktop and documents folders will be moved to the iCloud section of your Finder sidebar. If you find the folder disappeared from Mac desktop, you can turn off iCloud to recover the lost documents folder.
Step 1. Go to 'Apple menu' > 'System Preferences' > 'iCloud'.
Step 2. Click 'Options'.
Step 3. Uncheck 'Desktop & Documents Folders' and click 'Done'.
Tip 6. Disable Desk Stacks on macOS to Find Missing Mac Folder
Another way to show disappeared desktop files on Mac is to disable Desk Stacks. Here are the steps to make it.
Step 1. Go to 'View' on the top of your desktop and choose 'Use Stacks'.
Step 2. Select 'Group Stacks By' and check the way your files were organized.
Step 3. Find your missing folders and place them at the destination.
Part 2. Top 3 Ways to Recover Folder Disappeared from Desktop on Windows 10/8/7
If you are a Windows operating system user, you can get back disappeared desktop files by using Windows 10 data recovery software, CMD, or previous version.
1. Recover Missing Desktop Files on Windows with Software
If you are a Windows user, you can also use the Windows version disk data recovery software - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. This tool is famous for its high recovery rate and ultimate data recovery features. You can use it to recover deleted files from emptied recycle bin, formatted disk/partition, corrupted internal/external hard drive, lost partition, and more.
Now, download this top-ranking data recovery tool to recover folders disappeared from the desktop on a Windows computer within three steps.
Step 1. Run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, select location to scan lost folder.
Under the Specify a location section, click 'Browse' on Select Folder to choose the location where you lost the folder and click 'OK' to scan the lost folder.
Step 2. Find and preview found files in the lost folder.
You can find the lost folder with the 'Search' feature to quickly find the lost folder by searching the folder name. Then open the found folder and double-click to preview lost files.
Step 3. Recover and save the lost folder with files.
Last, select the folder and files and click 'Recover', browse to choose a new & secure spot on your PC and click 'OK' to save it.
You can sync the local desktop and document folder to iCloud Drive on Mac. The desktop and documents folders will be moved to the iCloud section of your Finder sidebar. If you find the folder disappeared from Mac desktop, you can turn off iCloud to recover the lost documents folder.
Step 1. Go to 'Apple menu' > 'System Preferences' > 'iCloud'.
Step 2. Click 'Options'.
Step 3. Uncheck 'Desktop & Documents Folders' and click 'Done'.
Tip 6. Disable Desk Stacks on macOS to Find Missing Mac Folder
Another way to show disappeared desktop files on Mac is to disable Desk Stacks. Here are the steps to make it.
Step 1. Go to 'View' on the top of your desktop and choose 'Use Stacks'.
Step 2. Select 'Group Stacks By' and check the way your files were organized.
Step 3. Find your missing folders and place them at the destination.
Part 2. Top 3 Ways to Recover Folder Disappeared from Desktop on Windows 10/8/7
If you are a Windows operating system user, you can get back disappeared desktop files by using Windows 10 data recovery software, CMD, or previous version.
1. Recover Missing Desktop Files on Windows with Software
If you are a Windows user, you can also use the Windows version disk data recovery software - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. This tool is famous for its high recovery rate and ultimate data recovery features. You can use it to recover deleted files from emptied recycle bin, formatted disk/partition, corrupted internal/external hard drive, lost partition, and more.
Now, download this top-ranking data recovery tool to recover folders disappeared from the desktop on a Windows computer within three steps.
Step 1. Run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, select location to scan lost folder.
Under the Specify a location section, click 'Browse' on Select Folder to choose the location where you lost the folder and click 'OK' to scan the lost folder.
Step 2. Find and preview found files in the lost folder.
You can find the lost folder with the 'Search' feature to quickly find the lost folder by searching the folder name. Then open the found folder and double-click to preview lost files.
Step 3. Recover and save the lost folder with files.
Last, select the folder and files and click 'Recover', browse to choose a new & secure spot on your PC and click 'OK' to save it.
2. Restore Lost Desktop Files from the Previous Version
If you want to try a manual solution to show files disappeared from the desktop on Windows 10/8/7, you can follow these steps.
Step 1. Create a new folder on the desktop and name it with the same name as the disappeared folder.
Step 2. Right-click the folder and click 'Properties' > Previous Versions'. And then Windows will search for and list the previous versions of the deleted or lost files or folders.
Step 3. Choose the latest one and click 'Restore' > 'OK' to recover the disappeared folder from the desktop.
3. Show Hidden or Disappeared Files Using CMD
Your desktop files may get missing from your Windows PC if they are hidden. But you can let them show up with the command prompt. Here are the steps:
Step 1. Press Windows + X keys and select Command Prompt (CMD) as an Administrator.
Or you can click the Windows icon, select 'Search' and type the command prompt. Right-click on it and select to open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Step 2. Determine the drive or storage device where the files are hidden and you want to recover.
Step 3. Type attrib -h -r -s /s /d G:*.* and hit 'Enter'. (If it's drive D, then replace G: with the drive letter for your device).
Conclusion
This article shows 9 methods to recover lost desktop files. Among them, the most effective way is to recover disappeared desktop files with EaseUS data recovery software. It provides you both Windows and Mac versions. You can bring back lost files easily.
FAQs to Desktop Files Disappeared on Mac
You have learned these effective ways to show missing files from the Mac desktop. If you have related questions, you can read these questions and answers to know more.
Where did all my desktop files go Mac?
If your desktop files have disappeared from Mac and you have saved those files & folders on iCloud Drive, they will be moved to the iCloud section of your Finder Sidebar.
Why did everything on my desktop disappear 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.
How do I restore my desktop files?
To restore desktop files on Mac:
- Tip 1. Recover Folder Disappeared from Desktop with Software
- Tip 2. Restore Missing files on Mac via Trash
- Tip 3. Get Back Deleted Files on Mac with Terminal
- Tip 4. Use Finder to Find Missing Mac Desktop Files
- Tip 5. Turn Off iCloud Drive to Restore Missing Desktop Files
- Tip 6. Disable Desk Stacks on macOS to Find Missing Mac Folder
To restore desktop files on Windows:
- 1. Recover Missing Desktop Files on Windows with Software
- 2. Restore Lost Desktop Files from the Previous Version
- 3. Show Hidden or Disappeared Files Using CMD
You will find below the steps to Restore Missing Downloads Folder on Mac, in case you have accidentally removed it or the Downloads Folder is missing from the Dock on your Mac for some other reason.
Restore Missing Downloads Folder on Mac
By default, the Downloads Folder should be available in the Dock on your Mac. However, sometimes the Downloads Folder can get accidentally deleted or go missing from the Dock on your Mac for some other reason.
As you will agree, having the Downloads Folder readily available in the Dock on Mac makes it really convenient to access Files, Photos and Songs that you download from the internet.
Hence, we are providing below the steps to Restore Missing Downloads Folder on Mac.
- Related: How to Show and Hide the Dock on Mac
Steps to Restore Missing Downloads Folder on Mac
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Follow the steps below to Restore Missing Downloads Folders on Mac, in case you had accidentally or intentionally removed this useful Folder from the Dock on your Mac.
1. Click on the Finder icon located in the extreme left corner of the Dock on your Mac.
2. Once the Finder Window is open, click on the Go option located in the top menu bar of your Mac and then click on the Home Option in the drop-down menu that appears. Easy video editor mac.
3. In the Home Directory, Locate the Downloads Folder and drag it towards the Dock on your Mac.
Do not release the Downloads Folder, continue dragging it towards the right of the Dock and drop it to the left of the Trash Can icon, located in the extreme right corner of the Dock on your Mac (See image below)
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This will bring the Downloads Folder back to its Default position in the Dock, making it easy for you to access downloaded content on your Mac.
Remove Downloads Folder From the Dock on Mac
In case you do not like the idea of having Downloads folder in the Dock, you can easily remove this folder from the Dock.
1. Right-click on the Downloads Folder in the dock to bring up the options menu.
2. Once the options menu appears, hover your mouse over Options and then click on Remove From Dock Option in the contextual menu that appears (See image below)
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The Downloads Folder will be immediately removed from the Dock and placed in the Home Directory of your user account on Mac.