Unwanted iCloud file transfer and retrieval issues

jmsfmtex wrote:

I wanted to see what the iCloud was all about. Before I knew it my files were taken away and I am not able to retrieved them if I delete iCloud. I do not know about you but I feel as if I have been robed. I look at maybe keeping my files on MY computer but doing so is a nightmare. Some are easy others cause a lose another areas. This, to me, is highway robbery. I have been a supported to 40+ years. I am so upset I am ready to trash the computer and go back to my pad of paper. SERIOUSLY

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

What do you mean see what icloud is about?

Did you enable something without doing a full research on what it actually does?

Can't blame Apple or icloud for that.

As razmee209 said, you seem to have found out some of " what the iCloud was all about."

Apparently you chose to "Optimize Mac Storage." iCloud answers that request by keeping some files off your Mac. That's pretty much the only way that could be done.

In Sequoia, you can have some control over which files can be removed.