I have run out of iCloud storage but have ample space on external hard drives, where I store all my data.
iCloud continually interferes with my ability to save documents on my Desktop, locally, not on the cloud, so I would like to get rid of it once and for all.
MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13
See the following from Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support
What happens when you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud
If you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud, a new Desktop and Documents folder is created in your home folder. You also have the option to keep a local copy of your files that are in iCloud Drive. If you keep a local copy of your files in iCloud Drive, they're copied to a folder called iCloud Drive (Archive) in your home folder. You can move any files that were in your iCloud Desktop and Documents to your new local Desktop and Documents.
another option is to leave iCloud Drive turned on but turn off the Desktop and Documents option of iCloud Drive. See the following:
Turn off Desktop and Documents
What happens when you turn off Desktop and Documents
When you turn off Desktop & Documents Folders, your files stay in iCloud Drive and a new Desktop and Documents folder is created on your Mac in the home folder. You can move files from iCloud Drive to your Mac as you need them, or select all of your files and drag them to the place you want to keep them.
If you also have iCloud Photos on and want to turn that off, see: How to turn off iCloud Photos - Apple Support
See the following from Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support
What happens when you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud
If you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud, a new Desktop and Documents folder is created in your home folder. You also have the option to keep a local copy of your files that are in iCloud Drive. If you keep a local copy of your files in iCloud Drive, they're copied to a folder called iCloud Drive (Archive) in your home folder. You can move any files that were in your iCloud Desktop and Documents to your new local Desktop and Documents.
another option is to leave iCloud Drive turned on but turn off the Desktop and Documents option of iCloud Drive. See the following:
Turn off Desktop and Documents
What happens when you turn off Desktop and Documents
When you turn off Desktop & Documents Folders, your files stay in iCloud Drive and a new Desktop and Documents folder is created on your Mac in the home folder. You can move files from iCloud Drive to your Mac as you need them, or select all of your files and drag them to the place you want to keep them.
If you also have iCloud Photos on and want to turn that off, see: How to turn off iCloud Photos - Apple Support
How do I get rid of iCloud?
