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Level 9

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iCloud Drive Optimization vs Not?

Here is a typical System Preferences view of an iCloud Drive setup using optimization.

I think it is odd that with optimization enabled Desktop and Document folders are kept both on iCloud Drive and one's Mac unless the Mac's storage becomes inadequate, while with optimization not enabled, these folders are removed from one's Home folder and kept only on iCloud Drive (which is what happened to me when I set iCloud Drive up without enabling optimization). It seems to me that the processes would make more sense if reversed.

Do you have any thoughts about why "things" are the way they are?

Posted on Feb 18, 2020 12:51 PM

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Eric Root

Level 10

684,135 points

Posted on Feb 20, 2020 6:52 PM

That is what I would expect. They are stored there so that if you aren't connected to the Internet, you can still access the files. Why they are stored in that location instead of showing on the Desktop and in the Documents folder, I can't explain why the decision was made to store them there.

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Eric Root

Level 10

684,135 points

Feb 21, 2020 1:01 PM in response to donv_the_ghost

If you create a new folder with a slightly different name in your home folder and copy the documents there, the documents should stay there. They won't be syncing with iCloud.

Eric Root

Level 10

684,135 points

Feb 22, 2020 6:15 AM in response to donv_the_ghost

You are welcome.

iCloud Drive Optimization vs Not?