Thanks for answering me. These missing old files have been happening for a long time., before 2019. I have gone through 4 Macs called (CJO1, CJO2, CJO3, and now CJO4 with M1 -- purchased this month). I have Drorpbox copying my files, from time to time or automatically (not sure). I also use Time Machine. I spent 1 hour with Apple Support yesterday. The missing files cannot be located on the icloud. as he tried everything. The only evidence that I have -- that the old files were even put on icloud, is the link in dropbox that has the icloud extension! Before I discovered that, I had no clue why I was missing old files. (CJO3 computer did run out of space and that is why I purchased CJO4.) Then I realized, checking the box to "Optimize the Mac" will put OLD (unopened) files on the icloud and remove them from my hard drive. I am just now "connecting the dots"! So my OLD unopened files were removed from computer and put into icloud...and lost. Only the link remains... Apple Support said that "deleted" files cannot be retrieved from icloud after 30 days...However, I did not delete them! That was his assessment so no help here. Case # 101561880740.
On my new MacBook, I have unchecked the "Optimize Mac Storage" box!!!!
I am not sure of how to go about finding these files. I have only the empty file folder that indicates some files should be in it...but no clue on what files should be there.
Possible plan of action (???) Not even sure this is doable:
1. Search dropbox for all the files that have the extension of .icloud in order to obtain the name of the file.
2. Search dropbox on the name of the file, to retrieve the file or search all my backups to find the file.
4. If found, download to my Mac hard drive, replacing the file in appropriate folder.
