Problem with file access in "Documents" folder (Macintosh HD/users/"name"/documents

Error message on files in "Documents" folder: "this operation cannot be complete because "item" needs to be downloaded"

Current OS Tahoe 26.1. I have a "documents" folder that is not synced with iCloud in my user root directory users/name/documents

Problem is that I cannot open, move, or delete files from this folder if they are older than Sept. 2, 2024. I did check the permissions on the older files and folders and all are set to read/write everyone. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Problem started before upgrade to Tahoe.

iMac 24″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Nov 24, 2025 3:57 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 24, 2025 4:03 PM

BallybailShannon wrote:

Error message on files in "Documents" folder: "this operation cannot be complete because "item" needs to be downloaded"
Current OS Tahoe 26.1. I have a "documents" folder that is not synced with iCloud in my user root directory users/name/documents
Problem is that I cannot open, move, or delete files from this folder if they are older than Sept. 2, 2024. I did check the permissions on the older files and folders and all are set to read/write everyone. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Problem started before upgrade to Tahoe.


It begs the question—


Did you ever have Desktop & Documents in iCloud/iCloud Drive...?




What happens when you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support



How to Restore Your Desktop and Documents After Disabling ...

https://www.howtogeek.com/273629/how-to-restore-your-desktop-and-documents-after-disabling-icloud-sync-in-macos-sierra/


How to find your Documents and Desktop folder contents after disabling ...

https://www.macworld.com/article/3396119/how-to-find-your-documents-and-desktop-folder-contents-after-disabling-icloud-sync.html


Finder>Go>Go to Folder>copy & paste:

~/iCloud Drive (Archive)


iCloud Drive (Archive) - here you should find all your files





1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 24, 2025 4:03 PM in response to BallybailShannon

BallybailShannon wrote:

Error message on files in "Documents" folder: "this operation cannot be complete because "item" needs to be downloaded"
Current OS Tahoe 26.1. I have a "documents" folder that is not synced with iCloud in my user root directory users/name/documents
Problem is that I cannot open, move, or delete files from this folder if they are older than Sept. 2, 2024. I did check the permissions on the older files and folders and all are set to read/write everyone. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Problem started before upgrade to Tahoe.


It begs the question—


Did you ever have Desktop & Documents in iCloud/iCloud Drive...?




What happens when you turn off iCloud Drive or sign out of iCloud

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support



How to Restore Your Desktop and Documents After Disabling ...

https://www.howtogeek.com/273629/how-to-restore-your-desktop-and-documents-after-disabling-icloud-sync-in-macos-sierra/


How to find your Documents and Desktop folder contents after disabling ...

https://www.macworld.com/article/3396119/how-to-find-your-documents-and-desktop-folder-contents-after-disabling-icloud-sync.html


Finder>Go>Go to Folder>copy & paste:

~/iCloud Drive (Archive)


iCloud Drive (Archive) - here you should find all your files





Problem with file access in "Documents" folder (Macintosh HD/users/"name"/documents

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