Issue
A user's Desktop and Documents folders appear under iCloud instead of the local user's Home folder. This means that the Desktop and Documents folders are using space on the user's iCloud drive. Using iCloud to store the Desktop and Documents folders has the benefit of making those files accessible on other devices that are signed in with the same AppleID, but also increases the likelihood that the user will need to pay to increase iCloud storage space.
Environment
This article applies to Mac users with macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or higher installed.
Cause
The Desktop and Documents folders have been added to iCloud drive.
Resolution
Important: Removing the Desktop and Documents folders from iCloud will delete that data.
- To ensure that you are still able to access those files, copy them to another location on the computer or external drive before removing them from iCloud.
- After disabling iCloud for the Desktop and Documents folders, you can move them back to their original locations if preferable.
To turn off iCloud storage of the Desktop and Documents folders:
- Click Apple menu
> System Preferences > iCloud.
- Next to iCloud Drive, click Options.
- Deselect Desktop & Documents Folders.
- Click Done.