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Trying to import media from Desktop

New to MAC/iMovie (former Pinnacle Studio user). Open Import Window and select Desktop, but nothing appears in the list. Moved clip out of Folder to the Desktop and still nothing in the list. Puzzeled.

iMac Pro

Posted on Apr 5, 2020 3:10 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 5, 2020 3:55 PM

You can drag the clip from your desktop into iMovie.


As for the underlying issue, here are some things you can try:


Try booting up in Safe Mode (see Finder menu for instructions) and, after

everything loads, immediately boot up in normal mode. See if that cures it.


Also, you can try opening iMovie while holding down the Option and Command

keys and selecting to delete preferences in the box that appears. iMovie will

open in a new empty library. Reopen your old library to get back to your

projects.


If neither of the above procedures solve it, try redownloading iMovie. To do

that, drag your iMovie app from the Applications folder into the trash, but do

not empty the trash. Then sign in to the app store and open your purchases

folder by clicking on your name at the bottom of the app store side bar. You

will see your purchases displayed, including iMovie. Redownload/update iMovie

from there. If not successful, drag your present iMovie app out of the trash

and return it to the Applications folder.


-- Rich

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 5, 2020 3:55 PM in response to Joe3242

You can drag the clip from your desktop into iMovie.


As for the underlying issue, here are some things you can try:


Try booting up in Safe Mode (see Finder menu for instructions) and, after

everything loads, immediately boot up in normal mode. See if that cures it.


Also, you can try opening iMovie while holding down the Option and Command

keys and selecting to delete preferences in the box that appears. iMovie will

open in a new empty library. Reopen your old library to get back to your

projects.


If neither of the above procedures solve it, try redownloading iMovie. To do

that, drag your iMovie app from the Applications folder into the trash, but do

not empty the trash. Then sign in to the app store and open your purchases

folder by clicking on your name at the bottom of the app store side bar. You

will see your purchases displayed, including iMovie. Redownload/update iMovie

from there. If not successful, drag your present iMovie app out of the trash

and return it to the Applications folder.


-- Rich

Apr 7, 2020 9:28 AM in response to Joe3242

That is odd. To confirm, you are opening the import window by clicking on the little box with the down pointing arrow in it from the iMovie 10 media view? Then clicking on the Desktop item in the import window window sidebar? Correct? If you are doing it that way the import window display should show whatever files and folders are on your desktop.


What happens when you click on other items in the sidebar? Try clicking on the Home item (the house icon next to your name in the import window sidebar) and then click on Desktop from the display that appears. If still nothing appears try clicking on the other items, like MacIntosh HD, and see if you can get an import window display.


Since you have tried all of the suggestions that I made previously, without success, you might benefit from calling Apple Support to see if the techs there have an explanation. Click on the Contact Support item in the upper right hand corner of this forum's screen and navigate to a place where you can give your phone number and have Apple Support call you back.


-- Rich



Trying to import media from Desktop

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