The Legacy Media Desktop Icons
macOS was designed in an era where physical media was the primary method of transferring data and installing software. To make things as user-friendly as possible, Apple configured the operating system to automatically mount any inserted CD or DVD and place a highly visible shortcut icon directly on the user’s Desktop. This same behavior was later extended to the original iPod lineup, allowing users to easily access the device’s internal storage disk.
Today, this behavior is largely obsolete. Apple hasn’t manufactured a Mac with a built-in optical drive in many years, and the classic iPod is a collector’s item. However, the setting to “Show CDs, DVDs, and iPods” on the desktop remains active by default. While you might rarely trigger it, if you do connect a vintage USB SuperDrive to rip an old music CD, or mount a virtual ISO image file that macOS interprets as a CD, an unwanted icon will suddenly appear on your wallpaper. If you prefer a completely clean desktop and exclusively use Finder windows to navigate your files, you should disable this legacy setting.
How to Hide Legacy Media on the Desktop
You can prevent CDs, DVDs, and iPods from appearing on your wallpaper via the Finder Settings.
- Click anywhere on your Desktop background to make sure Finder is the active application.
- In the top menu bar, click on Finder, then select Settings… (or Preferences).
- In the Settings window, ensure the General tab is selected at the top.
- Look under the section labelled “Show these items on the desktop:”.
- Locate the checkbox for CDs, DVDs, and iPods.
- Click the checkbox to remove the checkmark.
- Close the Settings window.
From now on, physical optical media, mounted disk images, and legacy Apple music players will only appear inside your Finder windows, keeping your desktop pristine.