What to do if iCloud takes over your Documents and Desktop folders on your Mac

If you are a user of macOS Sierra, you may have unintentionally turned on a new feature from Apple, one that allows you to store your Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud Drive.

This does have a couple of great benefits:

• ​The files you have stored in your Desktop and Documents folders are effective 'backed up' to your iCloud, guarding against loss if something happens to your Mac.
• The content of your Desktop and Documents folders will then also be available on your other Apple devices.

However, there are also some major disadvantages this feature:

• You will potentially require a lot more iCloud storage to 'fit' your Desktop and Documents, involving additional monthly cost.
• You will be using more internet, due to the constant syncing that will occur with your iCloud account whenever you add or modify the files in your Documents and Desktop folders.
• You may not want all your files and folders from Documents and Desktop to be available on all devices.

Personally, I don't want my Desktop to be syncing to my iCloud as I use it as a temporary storage area for screenshots and other files that I will not be keeping longer term.  I also want to be able to be selective about what Documents content I sync to any Cloud storage solution.

iCloud Drive is nowhere near as mature a cloud storage product as Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive.  I mainly use OneDrive for my 'cloud' storage, but also have Dropbox.​  
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How do you get your Desktop and Documents out of iCloud Drive?

The trick is how to undo this setup once it has occurred.  It is a little confusing and requires several steps.

You must go to your System Preferences -> iCloud -> iCloud Drive, and 'untick' Desktop & Documents Folders.

​It doesn't end there, however.  There are a couple more steps to follow to get your Desktop and Documents out of iCloud and back to where they used to be.

We have recorded a video tutorial of how to get your Desktop and Documents folders out of iCloud.  This tutorial is now available to all members of The iTandCoffee Club.  You must have a club login to access this tutorial.  (Find out how to Join the Club here »)

How to remove Desktop and Documents from iCloud Drive

If you are not brave enough to undertake this change yourself, iTandCoffee can help.  Appointment bookings can be made here, or just call 1300 885 420.

Would you like to understand your Mac better, and get more from it?

Learn more about Files, Folders and Finder on the Mac

We have recently re-recorded the Files Folders and Finder class from the Getting to know your Mac class series, creating a great set of easy to follow video tutorials about how to organise and manage all your files and folders on your Mac.  The list of topics is shown below.

These videos are now available to anyone who has either the Online or Premium iTandCoffee Club membership. (Find out more about The iTandCoffee Club here »)

Those of you without membership can purchase this set of videos for only $25 (a great price, considering classes cost $55 - and that you can watch these videos as many times as you like!). Find out more about how to gain access to these videos here »

Try before you buy!

Would you like to first get a taste of the style of these tutorials?  The first first two in the list below are unrestricted - no membership or purchase is required to view them.  Check them out and see what you think.

2-1 Introduction and concepts (unrestricted)
2-2 Opening and Using Finder (unrestricted)
2-3 The Finder Sidebar
2-4 Main Finder Folders
2-5 Viewing your Files and Folders - List View
2-6 Viewing your Files and Folders - other Views
2-7 Arranging and Sharing Finder Content
2-8 Customising Finder's Toolbar
2-9 The Path Bar and Status Bar 
2-10 Previewing Files (Quick Look)    
2-11 Opening a file    
2-12 Creating Folders
2-13 Reorganising your files and folders
2-14 Selecting Multiple Files
2-15 Create Folder from Selection    
2-16 Reorganising using Drag and drop    
2-17 Copy, Paste, Move - with Command Key
2-18 Copy, Paste, Move - with Right Click
2-19 Saving files from other applications
2-20 Get Information about a file or folder
2-21 Setting up Favourite Files and Folders
2-22 Searching for files and folders
2-23 Smart Folders, Saved Searches
2-24 Desktop and Documents in iCloud Drive
2-25 Minimising multiple app windows    
2-26 Finder Keyboard Shortcuts

​Are you interested in other 'Getting to Know your Mac' topics?

We have also re-recorded the first class of the Getting to know your Mac series - 'A Guided Tour of the Mac'.  13 short videos introduce you to your Mac and all the key areas and features.  You can sample the first two of these videos to see what you think.  

1-1 Introduction, talking terminology (unrestricted)
1-2 Starting, Stopping, Restarting, Sleeping (unrestricted)
1-3 System Preferences
​1-4 The Finder    
1-5 The Desktop
1-6 The Dock
1-7 Menu and Status Bars
1-8 Siri and Notification Centre
1-9 The Mac App Store
1-10 Launchpad
1-11 Mission Control and Multiple Desktops
1-12 The Dashboard
1-13 Dealing with a mis-behaving Mac or App

The rest of the class series will be available very soon, so stay tuned!

Find out more about 'Getting to Know your Mac videos

If you have any queries about these videos, don't hesitate to contact iTandCoffee on 1300 885 420 or at [email protected].