Loads of files gone!

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Level 1

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Loads of files gone!

I have been using apple for many years. I was looking for some documents today and probably 80% of my files are gone! Recent files and old ones. I am trying to trace where they went and it seems the files were "modified" on the same day within 15 minutes of the last update of Monterey to 12.7.1 on November 24. I have no idea where to even start to try and find them. School files, work credentials, diplomas. ALL GONE!!! I back up to ICloud so I went there and could only find 2 files. None of the others. I can't get time machine to work. I downloaded disk drill media recovery and paid $40 and that doesn't seem to be working either. any ideas?!

Posted on Nov 27, 2023 11:07 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

74,346 points

Nov 28, 2023 8:33 AM in response to KnightsRN

Then there you have your files. They were not deleted, they were moved to iCloud.

Unfortunately, Apple makes it all to easy to click through and OK the "Documents and Desktop in iCloud", and many users like you just OK it without realizing what they are doing, and then fall on the same perplexity and fear as you.

If you want, you can undo this and restore Documents and Desktop to their original place in your mac drive.

Go to System Settings->Apple id, click iCloud, then click iCloud Drive, and uncheck "Desktop and Documents Folders". You will be asked if you want to keep a local copy of the files. OF COURSE you do!!!

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