iCloud and iMac desktop problem

I made an error with my iCloud storage. I clicked on the button to load my desktop onto iCloud, which I did not want to do. I turned that option off and got this window.So everything disappeared on my iMac desk top. It looks like I can go to the iCloud drive and find my files and folders there, and drag it to my desk top. But I tried that and nothing is happening.

What am I doing wrong?

Previously I had the same issue and restored my desktop with a time machine back up.

But iCloud downloaded my desktop files again and many of the folders had a cloud symbol with a down arrow, and I could not open the folders or documents.

I do have photos, emails, calendar and some other files on iCloud, but I don't need my desktop on iCloud. Any advice would be appreciated.

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Sep 22, 2023 7:10 PM

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2 replies

Carlson Mun Author

Level 1

77 points

Sep 23, 2023 12:12 PM in response to Carlson Mun

I opened the iCloud folder I wanted to transfer to my iMac and created a new folder on my desk top. From the iCloud folder, I selected about 10 folders that at a time and transferred that to the new folder on my iMac desk top. That seemed to go without a hitch.

Maybe I was trying to transfer too much information at one time? (the original folder held a ton of stuff)

Carlson Mun Author

Level 1

77 points

Sep 23, 2023 12:00 PM in response to Carlson Mun

Update: After hitting the "Turn Off" button. My desk top was cleared. I went to my iCloud drive and dragged one of my folders to my iMac desk top. A window pops up and says "preparing to move to "Desktop". A progress bar keeps moving back and forth but no progress is being made to transfer the folder to my desktop. I left my computer on over night and nothing seems to have transferred.

Do I shut things down and try again?

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iCloud and iMac desktop problem