How can I turn OFF Desktop Sharing between my iMac and my wife's MacBookAir?

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BillGS Author

Level 1

25 points

How can I turn OFF Desktop Sharing between my iMac and my wife's MacBookAir?

I have tried all solutions I could find:

In System Preferences>Sharing: Screen Sharing is NOT checked on either Computer.
In Finder Preferences I have deselected on BOTH Computers:
1. Desktop under "iCloud"
2. Back to My Mac under "Shared"
In System Preferences>iCloud I have Deselected Back to My Mac on BOTH Computers.
I have restarted BOTH Computers with no change.
What more can I do?

iMac, macOS High Sierra (10.13.4)

Posted on Sep 30, 2018 11:01 AM

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Answer 1

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

Oct 1, 2018 7:52 PM in response to BillGS

Hi BillGS,

Thanks for reaching out in Apple Support Communities. I understand that you're trying to disable desktop sharing between your iMac and your wife's MacBook Air. I also see you've checked many preferences to disable this, but you're still seeing a shared desktop. I can see why you'd reach out for assistance with this; I'm happy to help. First, check to see if File Sharing is still enabled on each Mac, if so, de-select the File Sharing checkbox to turn it off.

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Sharing.

Set up file sharing on Mac

If File Sharing is disabled from here, or you're still seeing shared information, you'll want to check iCloud Drive Options in System Preferences. The behavior you're seeing could be due to having iCloud Drive enabled with the same Apple ID, and having the "Desktop and Documents Folders" option selected. You can use the steps below to access this option and disable it on one or both Macs if necessary. Be sure to follow the prompts closely in order to move files back to your Mac and to prevent data loss:

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.

From your Mac, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud.

Next to iCloud Drive, click Options.

Deselect Desktop & Documents Folders.

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.

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive

Let me know what you find.

Best Regards.

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Answer 2

BillGS Author

Level 1

25 points

Oct 1, 2018 8:01 PM in response to Joseph_S.

I found that File Sharing was turned on, but only for Printer sharing. I turned that off on both computers without any impact, even after restarting the MacBookAir.

I then did as you suggested and went to iCloud Drive Options and found that Desktop & Documents Folders were indeed selected.

HOWEVER, after reading what happens when I deselect that, I decided it would be best to not deselect it.

As an alternative, at least temporarily, I have placed all Desktop items on both computers in folders, at least cleaning up the desktop. If I find that is undesirable, you have given me guidance on what I must do. Many thanks.

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How can I turn OFF Desktop Sharing between my iMac and my wife's MacBookAir?

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