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User profile for user: Carlson Mun
Carlson Mun Author
User level: Level 1
77 points

icloud taking documents and folders from imac desktop

I have a 27" iMac 2020 with Mac OS 13.5.2. I also have iCloud with 50GB. I use iCloud to store recent photos, Mail, notes, contacts & calendars.

One day I hit the wrong button and iCloud started downloading everything from my desktop. I tried to stop it, but everything on the desktop disappeared. I used time machine to re-created the desktop.

But now something is goofy. When I check the memory used on my cloud 3/4 of the space is filled with documents. And on my desktop, half the folders have a small cloud symbol with a down arrow. I click on them and they won't open up.

Any suggestions to fix this? I keep reading the tutorials, and I can't figure it out, and I also don't want to get more iCloud memory.

I already have two external disc drives set up to do back ups with Time Machine. So I think my files are safe. But trying to delete the document files on my iCloud and getting my files to open on the desktop has me stumped.

I hope the image below can help.


iMac 27″, macOS 13.5

Posted on Sep 18, 2023 9:17 PM

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User profile for user: Carlson Mun
Carlson Mun Author
User level: Level 1
77 points

Sep 19, 2023 2:08 PM in response to muguy

Muguy;

I grabbed the -2021 PDX trip folder with the cloud and down points arrow, moved it to the Downloads folder.

Something happened with iCloud down loading its contents into the folder, and I think it said the folder would be removed from iCloud. Once I thought the download was done,( a few seconds) I grabbed the folder and placed it back on the desktop. (the cloud with down pointing arrow was gone).

I then clicked on the folder to see if it would open up. Nothing happened. It does not open. I went to get info for the folder and this popped up. (Attached below) It looks like something is in there, but I can't get to it. Also at the bottom where it gives privilege. I clicked on the first name and switched from "custom" to "Read & Write". Now I can't switch it back to "custom"

And I still can get to the contents of the folder. Any suggestions? Thanks !

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User profile for user: muguy
muguy
User level: Level 10
83,131 points

Sep 18, 2023 9:27 PM in response to Carlson Mun

it sounds like you enabled desktop and documents in iCloud Drive. That syncs those locations.

further, it sounds like you turn it off. In doing so, your desktop and documents folders were moved to iCloud only and new copies of the desktop and documents folder created on your Mac. The old files should still be in iCloud Drive.


try moving the folders and files to your downloads folder or to some other location that does not sync with iCloud. That should force a download of your files.

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icloud taking documents and folders from imac desktop

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