How do I stop iCloud desktop sync without losing folders on MacBook Pro?

Ute Oz wrote:

I wanted to update my system (I have a 2022 MacBook Pro),

but thought I’d better back up with iCloud first. So I ticked the desktop and document folders icon in the Apple ID iCloud section from System Preferences and now my original desktop folders have disappeared and loads of others appeared instead, all with the cloud symbol by them.

When I click on iCloud desktop it takes me to my own desktop so I can see the folders but they’re all being uploaded which will take days as I have so many. I don’t want this!

But when I untick desktop and document folders it gives me warning, saying they will be removed from this Mac and only available in iCloud Drive. What do I do to just stop this download of my desktop folders without losing anything?? I’m getting rather anxious…any help much appreciated!

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Updated(?) from what to what...

verify your software >About…

The current stable release of Sequoia including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 15.3.1

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple ...

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support

iCloud drive missing desktop and documents

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support

Recover deleted files on iCloud.com

Recover deleted files on iCloud.com - Apple Support

How to Restore Your Desktop and Documents After Disabling ...

https://www.howtogeek.com/273629/how-to-restore-your-desktop-and-documents-after-disabling-icloud-sync-in-macos-sierra/

How to find your Documents and Desktop folder contents after disabling ...

https://www.macworld.com/article/3396119/how-to-find-your-documents-and-desktop-folder-contents-after-disabling-icloud-sync.html

Finder>Go>Go to Folder>copy & paste:

~/iCloud Drive (Archive)

Since Ventura there is a new Stage Manager— turn it off /make changes and compare your results

Ute Oz wrote:

Hi,

thank you. Sorry I meant a software upgrade from Monterey to the latest one, (don’t know the name). So I wanted to back up everything in case the upgrade went wrong. I haven’t even dared to upgrade anything while my desktop is a mess.

All I want now is to have everything back on my desktop just like before. It’s total chaos at the moment with files which I hardly recognise on the desktop all over the place. My original desktop folders are in finder sidebar under iCloud Drive, desktop, then my MacBook Pro desktop icon. But it now also says I’m running out of iCloud storage…

I obviously had no idea what was going to happen when I clicked on the Apple ID iCloud Drive box and enabled desktop and document folder storage.

how can I revert this without losing anything? Has it been synced only, or actually been moved??

read the ref links I posted above to get everything back the way it was...

FYI, iCloud is not a backup for macOS. iCloud is one backup option for an iPhone/iPad.

Time Machine is the Apple provided method of backing up a computer. I highly recommend you start a backup regimen ASAP. There are also some good third party options as well such as Carbon Copy Cloner.

Plus you should always have frequent and regular backups of the computer and all external media (including the cloud) which contains important & unique data. There are a lot more new ways to permanently lose access to the data stored on the internal SSD of the recent Macs due to all the hardware, software, and security changes. Unless you have good backups, you will at some point likely lose your important files since it is very unlikely any data can be recovered from the internal SSD even by an expensive professional data recovery service.

"How do I stop iCloud desktop sync without losing folders on MacBook Pro?"

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For note...

Export All of iCloud Drive:

You should backup your iCloud Drive on a random basis, especially if you add more items to it. You'd export it to an external hard drive, and place the hard drive somewhere for safe keeping. That way, you will not loose you files. Use my User Tip: Getting a Quick and Direct "iCloud Drive-to-External Hard Drive" Download - User Tip

"Thank you very much. I have now understood that I tackled this the wrong way, thinking an iCloud back up can replace a Time Machine one. Will purchase an external hard drive now. I appreciate you taking the time to reply."

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You are welcome. Great work!