How to Find the Stuff That Was on the Desktop on My MacBook Pro
The Macbook Pro's OS X operating system gives users several ways to browse and search for files. Not only can you see a list of all files located on the computer's desktop, but you can also sort the files and search the content of these files. In addition, you can search the file name and content of files saved anywhere on the computer. Can't find that file you thought was saved to the desktop? Conduct a search. Perhaps the file was moved to a different folder or even the trash.
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Instructions
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Search
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1
Press the "Command" key and the "F" key at the same time while you are in the Finder. A new Finder window will appear.
Confirm that you are in the Finder by looking to the right of the Apple icon in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. If it does not say "Finder" next to the apple, click your mouse on the desktop to enter the Finder.
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2
Type the file name or a keyword in the search box in the right-hand corner of the Finder window and press return.
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3
Refine your search. Locate the "Search:" in the Finder window's top bar. Click on "This Mac" to search for files anywhere on your computer. Click on "Desktop" to search only files on the desktop. If you entered a word that is in the file name, click "File Name." If you do not know the file name you are searching for and used a keyword in step 2, click "Contents."
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4
Use the scroll bar to see the list of files that are displayed in this Finder window. Double-click on the file you wish to open.
Browse
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5
Press the "Command" key and the "F" key at the same time while you are in the Finder. A new Finder window will appear.
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6
Click on "Desktop" under the "Places" list in the left-hand column of the Finder window.
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Select how you wish to review the list under the "View" menu at the top of your screen. Sort the list as icons, lists or columns or with the Cover Flow feature.
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Scroll down the list of files displayed with "By List" or "By Cover Flow" selected. You can click on the column headers to sort by name, date modified, file size or file kind. Select "By Column" to view the contents of a folder you click on.
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Tips & Warnings
The search option will also display any files that may be placed in your computer's trash. If you find the file you are looking for in the trash, click on the Trash can icon in dock and drag the file back to the desktop.
