Questions tagged [desktop]
The visual representation of a computer's contents when no open programs or windows are visisble. Often home to program shortcuts, datafiles, and lists of mounted drives etc.
0
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0answers
6 views
Desktop Screen saver cannot be changed
When I go into the Settings and have the option to pick a new screensaver, it will not actually save my preference. When I change the screensaver I can see it is changed in the mini-preview, but it ...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
Why did some screen shots randomly appear on my desktop?
I have many screenshots inside of folders on my desktop. Just now when I got onto my MacBook Pro, I found that many of these screenshots were outside of their folders (some were duplicates).
I ran ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Show “Activity Monitor” in every “Desktop”
I find much joy in monitoring my Apple computer's fan roll through monitoring CPU use.
However, I don't know how to make multiple "Activity Monitor" windows, each for one of my "Desktop"s.
I ...
2
votes
1answer
24 views
macOS: Navigating between desktops using keyboard shortcuts
I've just moved to Mac from Linux. There I used to have a fixed number of desktops running full-screen apps. I've managed to configure it on Mac, but yet can not find the way to assign shortcuts to ...
3
votes
0answers
28 views
What could cause iCloud Drive to refuse to sync Desktop & Documents?
After a sort of manual system restore in which I copied my ~/Library/ from my now-dead 2017 MacBook Pro's BackBlaze to a 2019 MacBook Pro, pretty much all my software has nicely restored its settings, ...
1
vote
0answers
21 views
How to force preview to open window in current desktop
I am facing a super stupid problem which is completely killing my productivity.
I have my laptop attached to an external monitor. Desktop 1 is on the laptop and desktop 2 is on the external screen.
...
1
vote
0answers
24 views
Mirror a specific desktop
I have a MacBook and I’m using the latest High Sierra with 2 displays total, my MacBook and the projector. But I only want one (or specific) desktop(s) to be mirrored to the projector an external ...
0
votes
2answers
29 views
Do you need the username and password to remotely manage all admins via ARD?
Or do you only need the username and password of one admin? I share a computer and we are both admins, but I am worried that the other admin could access my files via Apple Remote Desktop. Is that the ...
1
vote
1answer
194 views
Can the document desktop stacks be split for a specific file extension?
I have documents I would like to have stacked
on my desktop.
Specifically, to group all files with a particular extension all together using Mojave's new Stacks feature.
Is there a way to register ...
1
vote
0answers
14 views
How to mirror files on all desktops when running in extended desktop mode
I want to mirror files/shortcuts on all desktops/screens when running in extended desktop mode. I don't want to manually copy them and I also don't want to mirror my displays.
Is there any way to do ...
1
vote
4answers
72 views
Desktop shows only background image – how to return to default behavior?
I have an iMac running macOS High Sierra. Recently I setup my system so that my Desktop does not show the connected drives and doesn't show anything on my Desktop.
My desktop is completely clean. I ...
1
vote
1answer
144 views
Unique wallpaper for desktop and lock screen
I recently got a macbook pro 2018 and was trying to change the wallpapers. I would like to be able to set a different wallpaper for my desktop and lockscreen. Googling around, I managed to change my ...
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votes
1answer
14 views
Change / correct desktop to display mapping
I have a Mac Book laptop with Mojave. I use two desks (in different location) each having two Dell monitors that I connect via display port to the laptop.
It works well, however when I switch ...
3
votes
0answers
55 views
Apple Books app and multiple desktops: How to stop app window to show on all desktops?
I am running macOS Mojave 10.14.4 with Books.app version 1.18.
I use multiple desktops. When I open the Books app on one desktop, and then switch to another desktop, the Books app window shows on ...
1
vote
0answers
39 views
No previews for Desktop files on Mojave [duplicate]
Here is what it looks like (two regular png images which previews were working fine before I upgraded to Mojave). Third one is a folder with custom picture and it was like that on High Sierra too. ...
0
votes
2answers
36 views
How can I stop my mac from switching desktops when I receive a phone call
When my phone rings the phone call shows up on my mac, which is great except that it also switches my display from the full-screen application to the main desktop screen.
Since the FaceTime popup is ...
1
vote
1answer
21 views
Why does everything on my Desktop show up on all my desktops?
I have multiple desktops defined, which I use for different projects. How come everything I save to my Desktop when I'm working in, say, Desktop 1 shows up on all my desktops?
Maybe I don't properly ...
0
votes
0answers
178 views
icloud documents and desktop is empty on mac os high sierra won’t sync with what is online
I had to install new hard drive could not transfer files from old drive. Started new hard drive as a new Mac. Signed in Enabled iCloud Drive, and checked iCloud Drive desktop and documents option but ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
How do I use terminal to change the desktop wallpaper folder and enable “change picture every minute” plus “random order”
I have wallpaper folders called Day and Night, and I am working on a script that will toggle dark mode and change the wallpaper folder accordingly. However, I can't figure out how to programatically ...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
Active desktop on secondary monitor is lost after wakes up
I am using a Macbook Pro with a second monitor (connected through VGA via Thunderbolt adapter).
Whenever I wakes up my Mac from sleep mode, the second monitor is showing « Desktop 1 », no matter what ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
How to operate an iPad from a Mac or Windows PC?
I have a setup in office where on a desk is a fixed iPad on a stand. On the same desk, I have a Windows PC or iMac.
Customer is looking at iPad. I am the desktop user and I want to control the iPad ...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
Use iCloud files sync: only sync files on desktop
is there a way to only sync files which are on my desktop?
I don't want to sync my whole ~/Documents/ directory because it's very big.
2
votes
1answer
144 views
How can I manually switch to the next Desktop wallpaper in Mojave?
I have attempted to use this AppleScript to to cause the Desktop wallpaper to change to the next image in the folder of images that has been selected in System Preferences. It does not work for me in ...
4
votes
3answers
480 views
How can I Hide Desktop Icons on Mojave?
The following commands used to work to hide the desktop items. In Mojave, it just refreshes the dock and everything remains. Is there another way to do this?
defaults write com.apple.finder ...
2
votes
0answers
190 views
Split screen divider stuck on Desktop, not actually dividing any windows, distracting - how to remove?
How can the split screen divider be removed, please?
When not using a Desktop workspace/area, I can see the vertical divider over the Desktop, but this isn't serving any purpose and is therefore ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Is there a way to apply custom shaders to macOS screen?
I know macOS has a feature to invert the screen using Control+Option+Command+8.
I was wondering if there is any way, like a macOS feature, an application, or even some API to apply other effects to ...
1
vote
0answers
10 views
A vertical line on the right hand side of the window after changing desktops
When I navigate from left desktop window to right desktop window, a vertical line start appearing on the right hand side of the desktop. It only happens when navigating from left to right and if there ...
0
votes
1answer
85 views
How to open a folder in Finder by a single mouse click? (using Icon view)
Is there a setting, key combination or similar to open a folder/subfolder in Finder with a single mouse click ? I need a general solution which works on any folder in effort to minimize needless ...
3
votes
2answers
35 views
Drag and Drop email to Desktop
When I drag and drop an email to the Desktop it always moves to the top right (or the first free space near the top right). I want it to stay where I dropped it.
When I drag and drop a file from a ...
0
votes
2answers
221 views
I'd like cmd-tab to always take me to the most recent window of the application. Currently it doesn't. Can this be fixed?
Situation.
This is a Macbook laptop. No external monitors.
I have two "desktops." I have Chrome open in both desktops. And terminal.app open in just Desktop 1.
I'm in Chrome on desktop 1. I cmd-tab ...
1
vote
0answers
16 views
Does macOS render desktops other than the current one?
I'm curious if there's a performance/battery effect of using multiple desktops with full screen apps. On Windows (as far as I know) an application that is in true full screen prevents the desktop from ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
How can I go to the previous desktop in Mission Control using a hot key?
Say, I have 10 desktops. I'm on the desktop 2. I switch to the deskotp 7 using the F3 key and touchpad. Is there a standard hot key for switching back to the deskotp 2? And then back to the deskotp 7. ...
1
vote
1answer
69 views
How to switch from from the active application on monitor 1 to the active application on monitor 2 via keyboard
TL;DR: I am typing notes into a full-screen notepad on monitor 1. I want to switch to typing into the visible, full-screen application shown on monitor 2 without using the mouse.
(I know I could just ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
How to name a deskop in mission control?
I have multiple desktops. I want to be able to name them. Is it possible out of the box?
Or at least does MacOS have API for that? I'd create an application.
0
votes
1answer
378 views
Applescript to change desktop background positioning (e.g., Fill to screen
I have the script
tell application "System Events"
tell every desktop
set picture to "/Users/jackson/Pictures/Backgrounds/backpic.jpg"
end tell
end tell
That changes my desktop ...
0
votes
0answers
59 views
Fullscreen spaces insist on always opening new windows on the desktop furthest away (desktop 1)
I currently have these spaces:
[Desktop 1] [Eight other spaces including three desktops] [Fullscreen browser]
...and started noticing that even when I'm in the Fullscreen Browser space and I open ...
1
vote
1answer
130 views
Apple Internal Hard Drive Error
So long story short, my iMac was working perfectly fine and I just decided to restart it because the fan was loud, it made a weird noise and now it keeps taking me back to either reinstall my macos, ...
2
votes
0answers
126 views
Items saved to Desktop do not show on Desktop
I use Safari and Chrome to download files and set the Desktop as the download folder.
Each time I download something it does not appear on the Desktop. But if I relaunch Finder then it will appear on ...
4
votes
0answers
103 views
Cannot drag entire Desktop to an extended monitor on Mojave
I have several application windows open in one of the desktops on my MackBook Pro (late 2016) running Mojave 10.14, and my work requires me to use extended monitors. Whenever I wanted to move a ...
1
vote
1answer
69 views
How can I change the picture used by this AppleScript?
I am using this:
osascript -e 'tell application "Finder" to
set desktop picture to POSIX file "/Library/Desktop Pictures/Earth Horizon.jpg"'
to set the desktop on a lab of computers. How can I ...
20
votes
9answers
8k views
Is it a good practice to create a desktop shortcut on mac?
I have been installing some popular software for Mac and observed that installation packages do not create a desktop shortcut as they often do on windows.
What is good practice to follow: Should I ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
How to switch to the latest active desktop, is there a hotkey?
I've a little of a search but haven't found anything.
Is there a way to switch to the latest active desktop? Or should I create a special hotkey for that?
2
votes
4answers
843 views
macOS Mojave stacks not grouping by type
I have updated my MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017) with macOS Mojave and everything is woking as per the need.
But I think new feature of macOS Mojave called Stacks is not working properly on my MacBook ...
0
votes
1answer
107 views
AppleScript - Get every desktop including hidden Mission Control desktops
I'm trying to write a simple script that will change my desktop background on all of my desktops/workspaces at once. Right now I have this:
tell application "System Events"
tell every desktop
...
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Is having too much stuff on the Desktop still a performance killer? [closed]
See for example
This article
Or this one
Or this one
Now, the answer to this question seems to suggest that the problem is icons on the desktop needing to be repeatedly redrawn, but the articles ...
1
vote
0answers
89 views
Iterm2 Window goes to back when switching desktops
When a non-fullscreen iterm window is opened and the desktop is switched, the iterm window goes to the back, behind any open windows in the screen. Is there a way to keep the iterm window on top when ...
1
vote
1answer
30 views
How can I set 'fit to screen' as the default behaviour when changing my desktop background (wallpaper)
Every time I want to set a picture as my desktop background it sets it so big that half of it is gone. I then have to go to the settings and choose desktop then choose a setting.
It is so annoying ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
OS X Yosemite multiple desktops with different files
Is there a way to have a second desktop which you can put individual folders and files on it, so that the first desktop is clear without any files?
2
votes
1answer
55 views
Drop window as maximized to a new desktop instead of fullscreen
The default behavior when you drag a window to a new desktop is to make it fullscreen. Is there any way to have it maximized instead of going full screen.
Referring to the following:
^+Up
Drag a ...
2
votes
1answer
74 views
What's this “Finder” icon on my Desktop and how do I get rid of it?
A few days ago, this icon appeared on my desktop. It sticks near the top-right of the screen and it doesn't seem like I can reposition it. Clicking on it has no effect.
In Mission Control, the icon ...
