How can I delete files from iCloud storage without also deleting them on my Hard drive and desktop?

Basically, you can't. iCloud is a syncing/sharing service, so almost everything that you have in iCloud, you also have in your devices or on your Mac.

If you don't want certain features to use iCloud Storage, then you have to turn that feature off on your device or Mac, then you have to go to iCloud.com via a computer, and manually delete those items.

If you are specifically referring to the Desktop & Documents folders, then you would need to follow these instructions to turn that feature off in iCloud Drive:

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.

1. From your Mac, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud.
2. Next to iCloud Drive, click Options.
3. Deselect Desktop & Documents Folders.
4. Click Done.

If you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud, you have the option to keep a local copy of your files that are in iCloud Drive. Whether you decide to keep a local copy or not, a new Desktop and Documents folder is created in your home folder. If you choose to keep a local copy, your files in iCloud Drive are copied to a folder called iCloud Drive (Archive) in your home folder. Then you have the option to move any files that were in your iCloud Desktop and Documents, back to your new local Desktop and Documents.

Best of luck,

GB

On your MacBook you can move or copy the file to an external device. Once you put it back, it will synch back to iCloud so if you don't want that behavior, you will need to turn off synching "Documents and Desktop" the file will be removed from iCloud Drive, but when you put it back add it to Desktop or Document folder, which should be out of iCloud Drive.

Also, because iCloud drive is not meant to be an all inclusive backup strategy, all files should be backed up externally anyway. 100s of people a day, it seems based on the forums have made this mistake.

Do not have them syncing - the entire purpose of iCloud is to have the same files on multiple devices so if that is not what you want do not put the files on iCLoud

LN

I don't have this problem, but I have to say, this is one of the better responses I've seen in the community discussions.

Thanks ZaZo! 🙂

I've seen some pretty impressive answers from you also! Keep up the great work - we need people like you!

Cheers,

GB

You are most welcome! Glad that was what you were looking for 🙂

Cheers,

GB