This is idiotic. Why does Apple delete EVERYTHING on my desktop when I turn off iCloud drive?
I had filders totaling over 20 GB on my desktop that iCloud drive deleted. WTF Apple.
MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.15
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In Mac system preferences > iCloud when iCloud Drive is turned as on , in front of the options button the desktops and documents box is checked , then the items stored on desktops are synced with iCloud.com with the help of iCloud Drive , iCloud Drive Just connects the desktops items with iCloud .
If you turn off iCloud Drive , the syncing / connectivity is interrupted .
if you open system preferences > iCloud and uncheck the box of iCloud Drive a pop up window appears , showing to keep a copy of documents , and remove from the Mac .
( a ) if you had clicked on keep a copy , they will be archived in home folder that can be viewed by clicking on finder in the dock , take cursor on top menu bar > Go > Home > your user name > iCloud Drive ( Archive ) .
Read this https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/mac-help/mchle5a61431/10.14/mac/10.14
https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/icloud/mmd0b4a7f5e8/icloud