Step-by-step guide
- Open Macintosh HD or the folder where you want to display the hidden files in the Finder.
- Hold down the Command, Shift and Period keys: cmd + shift + [.]
- The hidden files and folders on your Mac will then appear partially transparent.
- You can hide the files again using the same keyboard shortcut.
Restore Deleted Files on a Mac from the Trash (Not Emptied Yet)
- Open the Trash Bin by clicking on its icon.
- Locate the lost or deleted files that you wish to restore.
- Right-click on the selected file or folder.
- Choose Put Back to restore deleted files on Mac to its original location.
Select one or more items you want to restore (these can include folders or your entire disk), then click Restore. Restored items return to their original location. For example, if an item was in the Documents folder, it's returned to the Documents folder.
It might be because you have chosen to keep your Desktop and Documents files on iCloud and that's why your files disappear from the desktop. If this is the case, then all you need to do is to check your iCloud settings in "System Preferences">"iCloud">"iCloud Drive" options.
go to Finder Preferences / Sidebar, and check the tickbox "Documents". Or check your username (the little house), then select it in the Finder's side bar to access the defaults folder of your account (Desktop, Documents, Music, Pictures, a.s.o)
To restore these icons, follow these steps:
- Right-click the desktop and click Properties.
- Click the Desktop tab.
- Click Customize desktop.
- Click the General tab, and then click the icons that you want to place on the desktop.
- Click OK.
In some cases, files and folders can disappear if the drive index gets corrupted. In order to fix this, it's advised that you check your hard drive. To do that, follow these steps: Open This PC and locate your hard drive.
To restore files from a Time Machine backup on another Mac, navigate to the /Applications/Utilities folder and open the Migration Assistant application. Connect the Time Machine backup drive and use Migration Assistant to migrate the backed up files from your previous Mac to your new Mac.
Click on the “Finder” menu on the top and select “Preferences … “ 2. When the panel opens, make sure you are in the General tab. Under the “Show these items on the desktop” section, you will find the items that are visible on your Mac's desktop.
You can search all subfolders if you start the search in the parent folder and select that folder 'name'. Again, the search looks across your mac hard drive(s) until you truncate the results by choosing the parent folder 'name'.
As you add,
change, or delete files on your Mac that meet the criteria, the list of files in the Smart Folder is updated automatically.
Create a Smart Folder
- In the Finder on your Mac, choose File > New Smart Folder.
- Specify the criteria.
- Click Save, then enter a name and location for your Smart Folder.
Move items into folders
- On your Mac, click the Finder icon in the Dock to open a Finder window.
- Do any of the following: Put an item in a folder: Drag it to the folder. Put several items in a folder: Select the items, then drag one of the items to the folder. All selected items move to the folder.
If you can't move or copy a file or folder, you might need to change its permissions settings. You might also need to change permissions settings for the disk, server, or folder where you want to move the item. On your Mac, select the item, then choose File > Get Info, or press Command-I.
4 Answers
- Click on an empty space on the desktop.
- Press Cmd + J or use the mouse to go to the Finder's View > Show View Options menu.
- In the Sort by: dropdown in the dialog, choose either None or Snap to Grid.
- You'll be able to drop files anywhere on your desktop and they'll stay there.
Show the path to a file or folder: On your Mac, click the Finder icon in the Dock to open a Finder window, then choose View > Show Path Bar. The location and nested folders that contain your file or folder are displayed near the bottom of the Finder window.
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- Right click the Finder in the Dock.
- Select New Smart Folder.
- Press the plus button.
- Select kind.
- Select Last Modified/Opened or whatever you want.
- Select 'This Mac'
- Save your smart folder. When saving, make sure 'Add to Sidebar' is checked. Name your smart folder and you're good to go!
Add Recent Folders to Finder sidebarOpen Finder, and select your home folder from the sidebar. On the menu bar, go to File>New Smart Folder. This will open the New Smart Folder window with your home folder pre-selected as the location to search. Click the little plus button at the top right.
Open Finder on Mac, Now, From top Mac menu > Finder > Preferences. Click on Sidebar Tab > Uncheck Recents option. That's it. Recent will be gone.
Clearing the list of recent items is easy: Go to the Apple menu and select Recent Items.
Move the pointer down to the bottom of the list and click Clear Menu.
You can also remove recent files from Apple apps like Text Edit and Pages.
- Click the File menu.
- Choose “Open recent.”
- Select Clear Menu.
On your Mac, open the document, then choose File > Revert To > Browse All Versions. Click tick marks along the timeline to browse versions. Display the version you want, then do one of the following: Restore your document to this version: Click Restore.