The hard drive icons on your desktop are helpful for easy access to their contents. Some of these icons are the primary drive, secondary drive and the external drive. It would be a huge inconvenience if these icons disappear. There are several reasons why these Mac hard drive icons may disappear. This includes incorrect settings and corrupted files. There are things that you can try to bring back these icons. Furthermore, if you would like to change these icons, it is also possible.
- First things first, check if the Seagate external hard drive that is not showing up Mac is properly plugged in to the USB port. It is one of the most notable reasons when Mac fails to mount the drive. If you are using an older Mac ensure that the drive is receiving enough power supply.
- This video will help you fix missing hard drive icon issue in My Computer window.
10. Restart Your Computer
This is the most basic troubleshooting step that you should try on most computer problems. It is often overlooked, but sometimes it could effectively resolve the issue. Since this is easy to do and it will only take a few seconds. Why not give it a try? This resets the computer and should fix any temporary problems that it may experience, including missing Mac hard drive icons. To restart your computer properly, press Control + Command + Eject or Control + Command + Power button.
9. Change Your Computer Settings
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.
Another reason why your hard drive icons or any other icons on your computer are missing is because of your settings. It may be set to hide the icons. To enable the system to show these icons, select Preferences from Finder. On the toolbar, click on the icon for General. Under 'Show These Items On The Desktop', make sure that the option for Hard Disks is selected. If it is not, click on the said option to enable. If there are other icons missing aside from the hard drive, click on them to enable and show them on your desktop.
8. Drag HD Icon To Desktop
If you can't see your hard drive icon on your computer, another way on how to make it appear is by getting a copy of it and placing it on your desktop. This is an easy solution that might actually fix your concern. To do this, go to Finder once more and click Go on the toolbar. Choose Go To Folder, then enter '/volumes'. The HD icon should show up. Drag this to your desktop so you can have a copy again.
7. Show Hard Drive Using ScriptEditor
There is a certain script that you need to enter on the editor to make the missing hard drive icon show up again. Don't worry about the script since you just have to copy and paste it on the editor. It should appear exactly as the script below except for the 'NameofDisk'. Change it to the name that you wish to have for your hard drive. After copying and pasting the script below to the editor, click the Compile icon. This will check for any errors that you may have on the script. Once done checking for errors, click the Run icon.
tell application 'System Events'
set visible of disk 'NameofDisk' to true
end tell
tell application 'Finder' to quit
delay 1
tell application 'Finder' to launch
6. TechTool Pro 6
If the previous solutions did not fix the concern, it is possible that there might be a corrupted file or damage in your system. There are various programs that you can use to repair these damaged files so you can get your computer working fine again. This includes restoring missing icons like your hard drive icon. One of the programs that you can try is TechTool Pro 5. This software is available for $99.99. Aside from missing icons, it can also detect and fix other problems that you may have on your Mac. This can prevent costly repair if hiring a technician. Plus, this will keep your computer running smoothly. It has a user friendly interface making it easy to use. Even if you are a beginner, you will not have trouble learning how to use this program.
5. OnyX
tell application 'System Events'
set visible of disk 'NameofDisk' to true
end tell
tell application 'Finder' to quit
delay 1
tell application 'Finder' to launch
6. TechTool Pro 6
If the previous solutions did not fix the concern, it is possible that there might be a corrupted file or damage in your system. There are various programs that you can use to repair these damaged files so you can get your computer working fine again. This includes restoring missing icons like your hard drive icon. One of the programs that you can try is TechTool Pro 5. This software is available for $99.99. Aside from missing icons, it can also detect and fix other problems that you may have on your Mac. This can prevent costly repair if hiring a technician. Plus, this will keep your computer running smoothly. It has a user friendly interface making it easy to use. Even if you are a beginner, you will not have trouble learning how to use this program.
5. OnyX
This is a tool that you can use to maintain your system and keep it optimized. It can check your computer for any errors and corrupted files and give you the option to fix them. This includes missing icons on your desktop that may be caused by corrupted files. Aside from this, it also offers other features that you can use on your computer. Some of them are clearing browser cache, deleting applications and removing stored passwords.
4. UnHide
This is a free program that you can use for showing missing icons and files that were hidden due to a fake antispyware program. These malicious programs pretend that they are maintenance and repair applications. When you fall for their trap, your computer will be infected and you will start to see files and icons missing on your system. UnHide reverts the changes made by spyware. This means that if the icons were hidden because of this, you will be able to restore them through this application. Bedrock minecraft download mac. However, this is only applicable for internal drives. Since removable drives are not attacked by this rogue spyware, you may need to use another program for fixing the issue for missing removal drives. Install UnHide and open the program to start the process. A black window will appear which means that it is performing the scan and repair. Restart your computer once done.
3. DiskWarrior
Other users who were experiencing the same issue have reported about running DiskWarrior on their computer and it brought back their missing icons. This program helps recover files and restore your system. This is a powerful utility that can get missing files and icons even from a badly damaged hard drive.
2. Download New Hard Drive Icon
Once you fixed the problem of missing icons, you have the option to change them. There are several designs of hard drive icons available online. Use your web browser to look for sites that offer them so you can save and use the icons on your computer. One of the best sites that you can go to is IconArchive. The icons are downloadable in varying sizes and formats.
1. Change the Hard Drive Icon
After downloading the icons that you wish to use, you can now change the icons for your hard drive. Go to your downloads folder and click the icon that you downloaded. Press Command + C and this will copy the icon to the computer's clipboard. Go to the desktop then right click on the icon that you wish to change. Click Get Info. Click the thumbnail of the hard drive icon and press Command + V. This will paste the icon that you copied.
Next time you experience missing Mac hard drive icons you don't have to panic as you already know what to do. Furthermore, you may customize and change them into other icons that you want.
There are times when your Mac desktop files or icons disappear all of a sudden. Sometimes, you may find everything on my desktop disappeared on Mac. This page guides you to turn the icons back on, restore icons missing on Mac immediately. Learn how to restore missing desktop files and icons on Mac with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac and other manual methods on your own.
When the desktop files and drive icons disappear on your Mac, stay calm. Accordingly, due to macOS or Mac OS X update, personal settings, and careless operations, you may find Mac desktop files and icons not sowing.
Mac Hard Drive Icon Missing Iphone
Follow through the two parts below to display your disappeared Mac desktop icons and restore the lost files with ease:
Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
---|---|
Phrase 1. Display Missing iCons | Method 1. Use Finder..Full steps Method 2. Use Time Machine Backup..Full steps |
Phrase 2. Get Missing Files | Method 1. Use Mac Desktop File Recovery Software..Full steps Method 2. Use iCloud Backup..Full steps Method 3. Use Time Machine Backup..Full steps Method 4. Use Stacks..Full steps Method 5. Use Trash..Full steps |
Everything on My Mac Desktop Disappeared, Help
Don't worry if you are having a similar case as listed here, you can continue reading and find the right solution to make your Mac desktop icon showing and restore all missing files on your own.
Case 1 - Everything on my desktop disappeared on Mac computer, need help!
'Hello, after saving a .xls file on my desktop, all my desktop files and folders disappeared! Impossible to find them, also my bin was empty too, nothing to find or delete. Also, I didn't do any back up in the past to restore. What's worse, some drive icons are also missing! Those files and folders are really important as they are work-related. What should I try? Please, urgent help is needed. Thanks!'
Case 2 - Mac desktop files not showing, seemed lost, after macOS update.
'Does someone know how to bring the lost desktop files back after macOS update? My desktop files not showing after macOS update, how do I do? Do I still have a chance to restore them?'
Mac os x 10 5 2 download free. Why Did Everything on My Desktop Disappear on Mac?
At times you might notice that files and icons from your Mac desktop are missing or they have just disappeared. Here are the normal reasons:
- #1. macOS or Mac OS X update causes Mac desktop icons and items lost
- #2. Default settings of Finder that makes no icons and items appear on Mac desktop
- #3. Set files to hide on Mac
- #4. The false operation that delete items on Mac
It is really shocking especially for those who have stored important files, folders, and icons on the Mac desktop. However, before you assume that they are permanently gone from your Mac desktop, refer the following points to see if you can restore disappeared files and icons from the desktop.
Part 1. Show and Retrieve Missing Mac Icons
It is easy to find missing Windows icons. But when it comes to Mac, most people become confused. It's the Finder that controls the display of Mac desktop and all of its icons, including drive icons of storage devices.
Usually, when you install macOS or upgrade Mac OS X, it renders the desktop without the drive icons by default. Sometimes, misoperations cause desktop icons missing from the desktop.
Luckily, you can show the disappeared Mac desktop icons by using either of the following methods.
Method 1. Show Missing Mac iCons using Finder
By changing the Finder's default settings, you can effectively make the desktop display the missing icons again.
Step 1. Click on the desktop or open a Finder window.
Step 2. From the menu bar, select 'Finder Preferences'.
Check how much space on mac. Step 3. In the Finder Preferences window that opens, click the 'General tab'.
You'll see a list of devices that can have their associated icon displayed on your desktop.
Step 4. Place a checkmark next to the items you wish to display on the desktop.
After this, close the Finder Preferences window. The selected items will display on the desktop again.
Method 2. Retrieve Disappeared Mac Desktop iCons from Times Machine Backup
Pre-condition: You have created a Time Machine backup of your Mac desktop before the icons and files missed.
When you lost desktop settings, you can also try to bring them back by running Time Machine backup recovery. It will bring you back to the date before Mac desktop icons disappearing.
Let's see how to retrieve the disappeared Mac desktop icons:
Step 1.Connect the external Time Machine backup disk to Mac. Enter 'Time Machine' from the Time Machine menu.
Step 2. Use the timeline or up and down arrow browse and select the backup point.
Step 3.Press 'Space' bar to preview and see whether it's the one you want.
Step 4.;Click 'Restore' to restore the selected file.
After this, you can view and check items like icons saved on your Mac desktop again, including the missing files.
Part 2. Recover Missing Desktop Files/Folders on Mac
There are several ways that can help to find the missing files from the Mac desktop. Check out the workable methods and follow to restore desktop files on Mac now.
Note that the former method is presented, the more effective it will be.
Quick Fix. Check If the Desktop Files Are Hidden
Mac has a built-in application called Terminal. Using this application, you can search, delete, or modify files and folders. You can also use it to check if desktop files are hidden or missing.
Here are the steps:
Step 1. Go to Mac terminal on Mac.
Step 2. Type defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true and press Return.
Step 3. Type killall Finder and hit Return.
This will close Mac Terminal and shows those hidden files on your Mac desktop. If this technique doesn't work, recover files from the empty Mac desktop with Mac desktop files recovery software.
Method 1. Restore Mac Desktop Files/Folders Using Mac Desktop File Recovery Software
Applies to: All levels of Mac users to restore missing Mac desktop files and folders.
Work on: Latest macOS 10.15.5 (Catalina)/10.15.4 and even older Mac OS X, like 10.9.
When your saved items lost on Mac desktop, professional Mac data recovery software - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac can scan the hard drive to scan and find disappeared files from Mac Desktop. It can smoothly restore disappeared files from Mac desktop without any difficulties.
Many users have used this application to recover 200+ files, Keynotes, Pages documents, AbiWord files, MS Office files, archive files, PDF documents from Mac desktop. Download this effective desktop file recovery software and get the desktop files back.
Moreover, if you only need to recover a few files less than 2GB, you may try the free version of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. It works exactly the same as the pro version.
Steps to Restore Missing/Lost Mac Desktop Files
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.
After this, you can save the found files back to your Mac desktop and use them again.
Method 2. Restore Lost Mac Desktop Files via iCloud Backup
Applies to: iCloud users who have set up iCloud to Sync Mac files, restore missing Mac desktop files from iCloud backup.
Works on: All Mac computers with iCloud backup.
If you have synced Mac files to your iCloud, you can immediately bring the lost or missing desktop files like documents back via your iCloud account.
Here are the steps:
Step 1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your account and password.
Hard Disk Icons
Step 2. Click iCloud Settings and scroll to the bottom, click 'Restore Files' under the Advanced section.
Step 3. Tick the boxes of your lost files on Mac, and click 'Restore'.
Method 3. Restore Not Showing Mac Files via Time Machine Backup
Applies to: Restore lost Mac files via Time Machine backup.
Works on: All Mac computers.
Being similar to iCloud backup recovery, if you have created a backup of your Mac files to a Time Machine backup disk, you can also immediately bring them back on your Mac desktop.
For a detailed guide, you can revert to Method 2 in Part 1 for help.
Method 4. Use Stacks to Find Missing Desktop Files on Mac
Applies to: Re-organize and make Mac desktop files show up.
Works on: macOS Catalina, Mojave, etc.
If you are using the latest macOS on your computer, such as macOS Catalina, Mojave, you can use Stacks on your computer to automatically organize your desktop files by file type.
When you lose or missing files on the Mac desktop, try Stacks. It may surprise you.
Step 1. On Mac desktop, right-click an empty space to bring up the Context Menu.
Step 2. Uncheck 'Use Stacks'.
Step 3. Repeat Step 1 again, and check 'Use Stacks' this time.
After this, you may find the missing files back on your desktop again.
Method 5. Restore Missing Mac Desktop Files from Trash
Applies to: All levels of Mac users to bring deleted files saved on Mac desktop from Trash.
Works on: All macOS and Mac OS X platforms.
When you lost files on Mac desktop, you may mistakenly drag them into the Trash bin. Then you can try to find them in the Trash.
Here are the steps:
Step 1. Open Trash Bin on Mac desktop, find the files that you lost.
Step 2. Drag the files you want to recover back to the desktop.
Or you can right-click on the file and select 'Put Back'.
Mac Hard Drive Icon Missing Desktop
Conclusion
On this page, we explained why do the desktop icons and saved items disappeared on Mac, and also covered several practical methods to help you find and restore the missing icons on Mac desktop.
To make everything work fine on your Mac, you need first display Mac icons using methods in Part 1. Then you can apply file recovery tips such as to let EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac help and retrieve Mac desktop files.
After finishing all the operations, your jobs are done. You can use your Mac icons and files again.