How to add Desktop to Finder Favorites

Open Finder and look at the sidebar on the left. You'll see a section called "Favorites" near the top, which usually contains folders like Documents, Downloads, and Applications. To add Desktop to this list, drag the Desktop folder from your Mac's file system directly into the Favorites section. The Desktop folder appears in two places: inside your user folder (the one with your username), or you can drag it straight from the Finder window if Desktop is already visible.

If you want a faster method, you can also right-click on the Desktop folder and select "Add to Favorites" from the menu that appears. This works whether Desktop is shown in a Finder window or in the sidebar itself. Once added, Desktop stays in your Favorites section until you remove it, giving you one-click access from any Finder window.

Key Takeaways

  • Drag the Desktop folder into the Favorites section of the Finder sidebar to add it permanently.
  • Right-clicking the Desktop folder and selecting "Add to Favorites" is an alternative method that takes the same number of steps.
  • Desktop appears in your user folder (the one labeled with your username) if you need to locate it to drag.
  • Once added to Favorites, Desktop appears in every Finder window's sidebar for quick navigation.
  • You can remove Desktop from Favorites later by right-clicking it in the sidebar and selecting "Remove from Favorites".

Where to find the Desktop folder to drag

If Desktop isn't already visible in your Finder window, open a new Finder window and click on your username in the sidebar under "Locations." This opens your home folder, where you'll see the Desktop folder listed alongside Documents, Downloads, and other standard folders. The Desktop folder has a small monitor icon next to its name.

Once you can see the Desktop folder, simply drag it up to the Favorites section. You'll see the Favorites area highlight when you're dragging over it, which signals that you can drop it there. Release your mouse, and Desktop is now part of your Favorites.

Using the right-click method instead

The right-click method works from anywhere Desktop is visible. If you see Desktop in your home folder, right-click it and look for "Add to Favorites" in the menu. If you're already looking at your Desktop (the actual files on your desktop, not the folder), you can also right-click the Desktop folder icon in the Finder sidebar and choose the same option.

This method is useful if you find dragging awkward or if you prefer using keyboard and mouse together rather than dragging across the screen. Both methods produce the same result: Desktop appears in your Favorites section immediately.

What Favorites actually does

The Favorites section in Finder's sidebar is a shortcut list. Adding Desktop there doesn't move the folder or change anything about how your Mac works—it just creates a quick link. You can still access Desktop the old way (through your home folder), and the folder itself stays exactly where it is on your Mac.

Favorites are personal to your user account. If someone else uses your Mac with a different account, they won't see your Favorites list. Each account has its own set of shortcuts, so you can customize Finder for the way you work without affecting other users.

Removing Desktop from Favorites if you change your mind

If you decide you don't want Desktop in your Favorites anymore, right-click it in the sidebar and select "Remove from Favorites." The folder disappears from the sidebar immediately, but Desktop itself remains on your Mac and in your home folder—removing it from Favorites only removes the shortcut.

You can add and remove items from Favorites as many times as you want. Some people keep Desktop there for constant access, while others prefer to keep Favorites minimal and only add folders they use several times a day.

Organizing your Favorites section

Finder lets you rearrange items in your Favorites section by dragging them up or down. If you add Desktop and want it to appear higher or lower in the list, just drag it to a new position. This is useful if you have many Favorites and want the ones you use most often at the top.

You can also add other folders to Favorites using the same drag-and-drop or right-click method. Many people add folders like Projects, Downloads, or work-related directories alongside Desktop, creating a personalized list of places they visit frequently in Finder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will adding Desktop to Favorites change where my files are stored?

No. Adding Desktop to Favorites only creates a shortcut in the Finder sidebar. Your files stay exactly where they are, and the Desktop folder itself doesn't move or change. You're just making it easier to reach.

Can I remove Desktop from Favorites later?

Yes. Right-click Desktop in the Favorites section and select "Remove from Favorites." The shortcut disappears, but the Desktop folder and all your files remain on your Mac.

What if I don't see a Favorites section in my Finder sidebar?

Open Finder preferences by pressing Command+Comma, then click the "Sidebar" tab. Make sure "Favorites" is checked. If it's unchecked, click it to turn it back on and the Favorites section will reappear.

Can I add Desktop to Favorites on an older Mac?

The method works on macOS Big Sur and newer. On older versions, the sidebar layout is slightly different, but you can still drag Desktop into the sidebar area to create a shortcut. The right-click method may not be available on very old versions.

Does adding Desktop to Favorites affect other user accounts on my Mac?

No. Each user account has its own Favorites list. Adding Desktop to your Favorites doesn't change what other users see in their Finder sidebars.