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Have you ever wished that your frequently used folders were easily accessible on your Mac Desktop? By default, macOS does not feature a built-in option to add a folder to the desktop. However, there are several methods that can be utilized to add a folder to Mac Desktop. In this article, we will share with you various approaches, their pros and cons, and answer some frequently asked questions.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Adding a Folder to Mac Desktop
Adding a folder directly to the desktop is not an option available by default in Mac OS. This means that in order to add a folder to Mac Desktop, one has to resort to some workarounds.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you start adding folders to your desktop, make sure that you have cleared up some space on the desktop. You can drag and drop icons or files that you no longer require into the trash bin to make some space. Also, make sure that the folder you want to add to the desktop is not too large in size. If the folder contains too many files and is very large, it can slow down your system performance.
Method 1: Via Drag and Drop
This is one of the simplest methods to add a folder to Mac Desktop. Here are the steps:
1. Open Finder and locate the folder you want to add to the desktop.
2. Click and hold on the folder, drag it to the desktop and release it.
3. The folder will now be added to your Mac Desktop.
Pros:
– This is a very simple method to add a folder to your desktop.
– It is easy to remember and can be used for one or many folders.
Cons:
– Newly added folders will be added to the very end of all the folders on your Desktop.
Method 2: Using Terminal Commands
The Terminal is a built-in application on every Mac which allows you to input commands to the system. You can use Terminal commands to create a symbolic link to the folder that you want to add to your desktop. Here are the steps:
1. Open Terminal by clicking on the magnifying glass icon on the top right corner of the screen, typing ‘terminal,’ and then selecting the Terminal application.
2. Type the following command in Terminal:
ln -s path/to/folder ~/Desktop/folder_name
Replace ‘path/to/folder’ with the path of the folder that you want to add to your desktop.
Replace ‘folder_name’ with the actual name of the folder.
3. Hit Enter.
4. The folder should now be visible on your Mac Desktop.
Pros:
– This method can be used to create symbolic links, which helps remove clutter from your desktop.
– It is a simple method once the Terminal commands are known.
Cons:
– It is a more complex method, hence more error-prone to use.
– If you make an error in Terminal or input the wrong commands, it can lead to system failures.
Method 3: Via Automator
Automator is a Mac app that lets you automate tasks. You can use Automator to create a quick action to add a folder to Mac Desktop. Here are the steps:
1. Open Automator from your Applications folder.
2. Click on ‘New Document,’ and select ‘Quick Action.’
3. In the ‘Actions Search’ bar, type ‘Get Selected Finder Items’ and add it to the workflow.
4. In the same bar, search for ‘New Finder Window.’ Add this to the workflow.
5. Hit the ‘Run’ command in the top right corner of the screen.
6. Select the folder or folders that you want to add to your desktop and right-click them.
7. Navigate to the quick action you created and select the ‘Add to Desktop’ option.
8. The selected folder(s) will now be added to your Mac Desktop.
Pros:
– It is a very easy and straightforward method.
– Automator allows you to create customized actions, so you can create a quick action to suit your requirements.
Cons:
– It involves multiple steps.
– Creating a new quick action may require some technical knowledge.
Why Can’t I Add a Folder to Mac Desktop?
There may be a number of reasons why you are unable to add a folder to Mac Desktop. Here are some possible reasons and fixes:
1. The folder is locked: Make sure that the folder is not locked. If it is, unlock it by right-clicking the folder and selecting ‘Get Info.’ Click the lock icon and input your password to unlock the folder.
2. You do not have permission: Ensure that you have permissions to access the folder. Right-click the folder and select ‘Get Info.’ Look under ‘Sharing and Permissions’ and ensure you have ‘Read and Write’ permission.
3. The folder is too large: If the folder is too large, your Mac may be unable to handle the size. Try moving some files to a new folder and then adding that to your desktop.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to help you manage your folders and files on your Mac Desktop:
1. Use custom folder icons to make folders more recognizable. You can use images or create custom icons to make them look more appealing.
2. Group files into folders for quick access. Categorizing your files can save you time when it comes to accessing them.
3. Keep your Desktop clean by deleting unnecessary files and folders. This helps improve your system performance.
5 FAQs about Adding a Folder to Mac Desktop
Q1: How do I add multiple folders to the desktop at once?
A: You can use Method 1 (via drag and drop) to add multiple folders to your Mac Desktop. Click and hold on multiple folders, drag them to the desktop, and release them.
Q2: Can I add a folder to my desktop from the iCloud Drive?
A: Yes, you can. Open Finder, select iCloud Drive, open the folder you want to add, and then drag it to your desktop.
Q3: Can I add subfolders to a folder added to my desktop via a symlink?
A: Yes, you can. Simply create a subfolder inside the original folder, and the symlink will update to show the new additions.
Q4: Can I remove a folder from my desktop without deleting it?
A: Yes, you can. Select the folder and press ‘Command’ and ‘Delete’ on your keyboard. The folder will be removed from your desktop, but it will remain in its original location.
Q5: How can I rename a folder on my Mac Desktop?
A: Select the folder, right-click and select ‘Get Info,’ and click on the name of the folder. You can now edit the name.
In Conclusion
Adding a folder to Mac Desktop can be useful when you need easy access to frequently used folders. The methods described above are easy to follow, and you can choose the one that works best for you. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can keep your Desktop clean and organized, making your workflow more efficient. Hopefully, this article has helped you add a folder to your Mac Desktop with ease.{"@context":"https://schema.org”,"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":" How do I add multiple folders to the desktop at once?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" You can use Method 1 (via drag and drop) to add multiple folders to your Mac Desktop. Click and hold on multiple folders, drag them to the desktop, and release them."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" Can I add a folder to my desktop from the iCloud Drive?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Yes, you can. Open Finder, select iCloud Drive, open the folder you want to add, and then drag it to your desktop."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" Can I add subfolders to a folder added to my desktop via a symlink?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Yes, you can. Simply create a subfolder inside the original folder, and the symlink will update to show the new additions."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" Can I remove a folder from my desktop without deleting it?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Yes, you can. Select the folder and press ‘Command’ and ‘Delete’ on your keyboard. The folder will be removed from your desktop, but it will remain in its original location."}},{"@type":"Question","name":" How can I rename a folder on my Mac Desktop?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Select the folder, right-click and select ‘Get Info,’ and click on the name of the folder. You can now edit the name."}}]}
