“Since downloading the 10.12.6 version of Sierra the Documents folder has gone missing from my finder. I keep Word and Excel in there as well as some downloads, and can still find what I want by going into each individual thing but want the Documents back where they were, how can I do this?”
Deakin from Mac Help Forums
Many Mac users keep important or commonly used files in Documents or Desktop folder. By default, users can find shortcuts to AirDrop, All My Files, Applications, Desktop, Documents, and Downloads in the sidebar of Finder window on Mac computer. But many people cannot find the Documents folder in the sidebar of Finder windows. Why did the Documents folder disappear from Finder sidebar and how to get back missing Documents folder on Mac? Read on this article to get the answers.
How to Get Back Missing Documents Folder on macOS 10.13/macOS 10.12
Method 1: Check iCloud Section in Finder Sidebar
macOS Sierra and the latest macOS High Sierra allows you to put Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud Drive so you can access them from all of your devices with iCloud drive. If you have stored Desktop and Documents folder with iCloud Drive, the Desktop and Documents folders are no longer under Favorites section. Instead, they’ll be moved to the iCloud section of your Finder sidebar.
To stop Desktop and Documents folder synchronizing with iCloud Drive, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Click the Apple icon at the top left corner of your screen, choose System Preference > iCloud.
Step 2. Click Options next to iCloud Drive and uncheck Desktop & Documents Folders.
Step 3. Click Done to save changes.
Method 2: Check Finder Menu to Restore Missing Documents Folder
If you didn’t turn on Desktop and Documents in iCloud Drive, the most likely reason that lead to Documents folder missing from Finder sidebar should be mistaken deletion. If you accidentally removed Documents folder from Finder sidebar, you can get back missing Documents folder on Mac with the steps below.
Step 1. Open Finder and click “Finder” option from the menu bar at top left corner of your screen.
Step 2. Click Preference from Finder menu.
Step 3. Choose Sidebar tab and select “Documents”.
Tip: If you want to quickly access your Documents folder from the Dock, add Documents folder to Dock with these steps: open Finder > right-click the Documents icon in the sidebar > choose Add to Dock.
How to Recover Missing Documents on Mac
Your Documents folder can be easily restored if it is just hidden. However, if you mistakenly delete files in Documents folder, it will be difficult for you to recover deleted files on Mac. Luckily, there are some third-party Mac data recovery tools make it possible for you to recover deleted or lost files on Mac. Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery, one reliable software that helps recover lost or deleted files, emails, photos, videos, and other files on macOS High Sierra, macOS Sierra, OS X El and others.
Here’s how to recover deleted or lost files on Mac using Mac data recovery tool.
Step 1. Download and install Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery on you computer and launch the program.
Step 2. From the main screen, select the type of file you want to recover, and then click the Next button.
How to Recover Files from Mac
Step 3. Select the location where you lost your files and click Scan.
How to Recover Deleted Files on Mac OS
Step 4. When scanning finished, select the items you want to recover and click the Recover button.
How to Recover Missing Files on Mac
Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery allows you to get back your lost or deleted files on Mac before they are overwritten. If you want recover important files on Mac, give Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery a try now >
