My desktop folders are gone but they are still in the cloud. How do I get them to repopulate on my desktop?
Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support
The last section may help. Read the small print.
When you elected to use iCloud drive your Documents folder was moved to the Mobile Documents folder which is inside your Library folder. You can access this folder from the Finder side bar by selecting iCloud Drive. Everything is still on your computer but the folder has been relocated. That's all.
Thanks so much - this is exactly what was wrong.
Desktop Folders Disappeared but are in Cloud
