How to Hide Files Folders and Desktop Icons on Mac

Keeping your Mac desktop organized and clutter-free can significantly enhance your productivity and overall user experience. Here are several methods to hide files, folders, and desktop icons on your Mac, each with its own set of benefits and steps.

Using Finder Preferences

One of the simplest ways to hide desktop icons is through Finder preferences. This method allows you to conceal specific types of items from your desktop while keeping them accessible via Finder.

Open Finder Settings:
- Click the Finder icon in the Dock.
- Select "Settings" from the Finder menu.
Hide Items:
- In the Finder Settings window, navigate to the "General" tab.
- Under the section "Show these items on the desktop," uncheck the boxes for the items you want to hide (e.g., Hard disks, External disks, CDs, DVDs, and connected servers).

This method is user-friendly and effective for hiding a limited set of icons, but it may not hide all types of files, such as screenshots or folders.

Using Stacks

Stacks is a feature in macOS that groups files of the same type together, reducing clutter on your desktop.

Enable Stacks:
- Click the Finder icon in the Dock, then choose "View" > "Use Stacks".
- Alternatively, press Control-Command-0 or right-click anywhere on the desktop and select "Use Stacks".

Stacks will group your files by type, making your desktop look cleaner and more organized.

Using Terminal Commands

For more advanced users, Terminal offers powerful commands to hide desktop icons.

Hide All Desktop Icons

Open Terminal:
- Go to Applications > Utilities and open Terminal.
Disable Desktop:
- Type the following command and press Return:
```
defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop false
```
- Then, type:
```
killall Finder
```
- Press Return.

This will restart Finder and hide all icons on your desktop. To restore the icons, use the following commands:

defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop true
killall Finder

Press Return.

Hide Specific Files or Folders

Add a Period to the File Name:
- Type the following command in Terminal:
```
mv [filename] .[filename]
```
- Replace [filename] with the name of the file you want to hide, including its extension.

To make the file visible again, use:

mv .[filename] [filename]

Press Return.

Set a Hidden Flag:
- Type:
```
chflags hidden
```
- Drag and drop the file you want to hide into the Terminal window.
- Press Return. Note the file path for future reference.

To remove the hidden flag, type:

chflags nohidden [file path]

Press Return.

Using System Settings

In newer versions of macOS, you can hide desktop icons directly through System Settings.

Open System Settings:
- Click the Apple logo and select "System Settings".
Navigate to Desktop Settings:
- Go to "Desktop & Dock" and find the option for "Show items on the desktop."
- Uncheck the box to hide the items on your desktop.

This method ensures that your desktop remains clean while allowing you to access your files through Finder.

Using Third-Party Apps

There are various third-party apps that can help you manage and hide desktop icons, especially useful for specific needs like presentations or screen recordings.

Presentation Mode Apps:
- Some apps can hide icons during presentations, ensuring a clean and professional display.
File Management Apps:
- Apps like DesktopUtility allow you to toggle desktop visibility, restart the Dock, and perform other tasks with global hotkeys.

These apps provide additional functionality beyond the native macOS features, making it easier to keep your desktop organized according to your needs.

By using these methods, you can effectively hide files, folders, and desktop icons on your Mac, maintaining a clean and organized workspace that enhances your productivity and user experience.