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User profile for user: mokershipping
mokershipping Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

How do I delete from the iCloud but keep files on my MacBook?

iCloud says it is full but will wipe all desktop items from my MacBook Pro if I stop the MacBook to iCloud connection. Message actually reads:


"If you continue, items will be removed from the Desktop and the Documents folder on this Mac and will remain available in iCloud Drive."


I have read that this means I will have to download all files from the iCloud if I want them on my MacBook hard drive again.


However, there are some files on my desktop that are not on the iCloud as it got full up and I still created new files on my MacBook.


If I break the iCloud-Macbook automatic upload connection (Sys Pref > iCloud > iCloud Drive > Options > Untick 'Documents and Desktop Folders') will it:


a) Wipe all the files on my MacBook?

b) Will they be available to re-download from the cloud?

c) What about the files that are on my MacBook but not yet in the full cloud?


Please help - There's not clear guidance on this issue that I can find!

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID

Posted on Mar 25, 2018 3:58 PM

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User profile for user: gail from maine
gail from maine
User level: Level 9
52,657 points

Posted on Mar 26, 2018 2:26 PM

If you want to turn off the Desktop & Documents syncing with iCloud, and put the Desktop & Documents back on your Mac:


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 User uploaded file > 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.

Here is the article that the snippet above is from: Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support

Cheers,

GB

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User profile for user: gail from maine
gail from maine
User level: Level 9
52,657 points

Mar 26, 2018 2:26 PM in response to mokershipping

If you want to turn off the Desktop & Documents syncing with iCloud, and put the Desktop & Documents back on your Mac:


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 User uploaded file > 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.

Here is the article that the snippet above is from: Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support

Cheers,

GB

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How do I delete from the iCloud but keep files on my MacBook?

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