In terms of the question, the slow transfer speeds could be due to various factors. Here are a few suggestions to deal with the slow transfer:
1. Make sure your external hard drive is functioning properly. Sometimes, slow transfer speeds can be a sign of HD issues.
2. Check USB Port and Cable: Ensure that the USB port you are using is working correctly and try using a different USB cable to rule out connecting issues.
3. Close any unnecessary applications running in the background on your Macbook Pro. This can free up system resources and improve transfer speeds.
4. If the built-in file transfer is slow, you can try using Terminal commands to copy files. This method can bypass issues with graphical interfaces to speed the transfer.
5. Running disk utility tools like Disk Utility can help optimize your hard drive and potentially improve transfer speeds.
6. Consult with Apple Support to diagnose any underlying problems with your computer.
As for the deleted files due to disabling iCloud Drive, check your iCloud settings and ensure that your files are backed up properly before making any changes to avoid similar issues in the future.
If you want to recover deleted files, it is advisable to use iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac to retrieve all your useful lost files, which is a trustworthy way used by many. Giving it a shot to restore data in the first place is of prime importance.
Also read: Mac/MacBook Running Slow? Try These Ways to Speed Up It & Mac Runs Slowly After Update? Here Are the Fixes!