The Tool Desk
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You can use iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, bookmarks, and passwords on Windows. Calendar, contacts, and Mail synchronization requires classic Outlook and an @icloud.com email address.
What you need before installing iCloud for Windows
- Windows 11 for the latest release. Apple’s feature-level requirements still list Windows 10 for some features.
- A Microsoft account to install the app from the Microsoft Store.
- An Apple Account and its password.
- iCloud set up on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac.
- For calendars, contacts, and Mail: classic Microsoft Outlook 2021 or later and an @icloud.com email address.
Managed Apple Accounts are not supported.
Extra requirements for protected accounts
| Account feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Advanced Data Protection for iCloud | iCloud for Windows 14.1 or later. With version 14.2 or later, keep the trusted Apple device within Bluetooth range of the PC, or connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi router. |
| VPN during Advanced Data Protection verification | Temporarily disable a VPN if it blocks local-device verification. |
| Security keys | iCloud for Windows 15 or later is required for sign-in. |
Install iCloud for Windows
- Open the Microsoft Store.
- Search for iCloud.
- Select iCloud for Windows, then select Get or Install.
- Open iCloud for Windows from the Store or the Start menu.
Apple’s current download instructions use the Microsoft Store rather than a standalone installer page.
Complete the first sign-in
- Enter the Apple Account used on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Enter the account password.
- Complete identity verification with the code sent to a trusted Apple device or phone number. If security keys are configured, use a key when prompted.
- For each feature, select Sync [app or feature] or Not Now in the lower-right corner.
- Configure any Advanced Settings and install browser extensions where offered.
- Choose whether to share iCloud analytics.
- Select Finish Setup.
Use iCloud Drive on Windows
Turn on iCloud Drive
- Open iCloud for Windows.
- Select the Arrow button to the right of iCloud Drive.
- Turn on iCloud Drive.
- Select Done.
The default folder is C:\Users\[username]\iCloud Drive.
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iCloud Drive uses on-demand downloads. Files under 1 MB download automatically, but a larger file must be downloaded before it can be opened locally.
Open and upload files
- Open File Explorer.
- Select iCloud Drive in the Navigation pane.
- Double-click a file to download and open it.
If Windows cannot open the file, the application that created it may not be installed on the PC.
To upload a file, drag it into iCloud Drive in File Explorer. You can also right-click the file, select Share, choose iCloud Drive under Share using, select a folder, and choose OK.
Keep files available offline
In File Explorer, right-click a file or folder in iCloud Drive and select Always keep on this device. Selecting the same command again removes the pin. This feature is not available in iCloud for Windows version 7.
Be careful when moving files: moving an item from iCloud Drive to the desktop or another local folder moves it off iCloud Drive and removes it from iCloud Drive on other devices.
Understand iCloud Drive status icons
| Icon | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cloud | Stored only in iCloud. |
| Blue circular arrows | Waiting to download. |
| Progress bar | Currently downloading. |
| Green tick in a white circle | Downloaded to the PC. |
| White tick in a green circle | Pinned with Always keep on this device. |
| Blue shared icon | Shared by you. |
| Orange shared icon | Shared with you. |
Share an iCloud Drive file or folder
Folder sharing requires iCloud for Windows 11.1 or later; version 7 does not support the current sharing workflow.
- In File Explorer, open iCloud Drive.
- Right-click the file or folder and select Share with iCloud Drive.
- Select Share File or Share Folder.
- Select Add.
- Enter participants under People.
- Choose permissions under Sharing Options.
- Select Apply.
Move iCloud Drive to another disk
This option requires iCloud for Windows 14 or later and an NTFS-formatted disk.
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- Open iCloud for Windows and select the Arrow button beside iCloud Drive.
- Turn off iCloud Drive.
- Select Change.
- Select a folder on the NTFS-formatted disk.
- Select Select Folder, then OK and Done.
Use iCloud Photos
Enable iCloud Photos
- Open iCloud for Windows.
- Select the Arrow button to the right of iCloud Photos.
- Turn on iCloud Photos.
The default folder is C:\Users\[username]\Pictures\iCloud Photos\Photos.
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View and download photos
- Open File Explorer.
- Select iCloud Photos in the Navigation pane. If it is not visible, select Pictures, then double-click iCloud Photos.
- Double-click a thumbnail to download and open it.
To view the library in Microsoft Photos, open iCloud for Windows and select View in Microsoft Photos under iCloud Photos.
In iCloud for Windows 14.2 or later, moving or deleting a photo in Microsoft Photos also moves or deletes it on devices using iCloud Photos.
Upload photos and videos
Drag photos or videos into iCloud Photos in File Explorer. If the folder is not shown in the Navigation pane, open Pictures and double-click iCloud Photos. You can also right-click a photo or video, select Share, and choose iCloud Photos under Share using.
Windows edits do not sync back to Apple devices or iCloud.com. Upload the edited result as a new file if you want it added to iCloud Photos.
Turn on Shared Albums
- Open iCloud for Windows.
- Select the Arrow button beside iCloud Photos.
- Turn on Shared Albums.
- Select Done.
Shared Albums can be moved only to another folder on the C: drive. An external drive is not supported for that location.
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With an iCloud Shared Photo Library, automatic changes require iCloud for Windows 14 or later.
Photo status icons
| Icon | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cloud | Thumbnail is present, but the photo is not downloaded. |
| Blue circular arrows | Waiting to download. |
| Progress bar | Downloading. |
| Green tick in a white circle | Downloaded. |
| White tick in a green circle | Pinned on the PC. |
| Blue shared icon | Added by you to the Shared Photo Library. |
| Orange shared icon | Added by another participant. |
Sync iCloud calendars, contacts, and Mail with Outlook
Apple documents this integration with classic Microsoft Outlook, not the new Outlook interface. You must also have an @icloud.com email address configured before setting up iCloud Calendars and Contacts.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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- Select the Arrow button beside Calendars and Contacts.
- Turn on Automatically sync your iCloud calendars and contacts to Microsoft Outlook.
- Select Done.
- Follow the Outlook setup instructions.
Apple lists Outlook 2021 or later in the relevant requirements. If you are using the new Outlook interface, switch to classic Outlook before troubleshooting the iCloud add-in.
Use iCloud Passwords in Windows browsers
iCloud Passwords is available as a Windows app and works in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox through a browser extension.
Requirements
- Two-factor authentication must be enabled for the Apple Account.
- The device receiving the security code must use iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS 11, or later.
- Either Advanced Data Protection must be enabled, or the Apple device must be within Bluetooth range of the PC.
Enable Passwords and Keychain
- Open iCloud for Windows.
- Select the Arrow button beside Passwords and Keychain.
- Turn on Passwords & Keychain.
- If Approve appears, select it and verify with a trusted-device or phone code, or a security key.
- Select Install Extension beside Chrome, Edge, or Firefox and follow the browser prompts.
- Select Done.
Enabling the iCloud Passwords extension turns off the browser’s built-in password-saving feature. In the browser, select the Passwords disabled button in the toolbar, then copy or enter the generated six-digit verification code.
For autofill, visit a site with a saved login, click the username field, and select the account. You can also select the iCloud Passwords toolbar button and choose the account.
Sync bookmarks
- Open iCloud for Windows.
- Select the Arrow button beside Bookmarks.
- Turn on Bookmarks.
- Select Install Extension beside each browser you want to synchronize.
- Follow the extension prompts and select Done.
- Select Merge to combine the PC’s current bookmarks with iCloud bookmarks.
Bookmarks added on the Windows PC continue synchronizing with bookmarks on Apple devices.
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Fix common iCloud for Windows problems
The Microsoft Store will not install iCloud
Windows may need the May 2019 Update or later, and the Store requires a Microsoft account. Confirm that you have the Apple Account credentials ready as well. On a Windows 10 PC, do not assume that meeting an individual feature’s minimum means the latest app release is supported.
“Install Media Feature Pack to use iCloud” appears
iCloud requires Windows Media Player. Select Download in the prompt and follow the instructions.
If Media Features were disabled manually, enable them here:
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- Select All Control Panel Items, then Programs and Features.
- Select Turn Windows features on or off.
- Check Media Features.
- Select OK and restart if Windows asks.
PCs in Europe or South Korea that shipped without Windows Media Player may need the separately downloaded Media Feature Pack.
“Can’t connect to server” appears
Check the internet connection, check Apple’s System Status page for an outage or maintenance, and try again after the service is available.
iCloud Passwords opens iCloud for Windows after an upgrade
After an upgrade to version 13, an old taskbar-pinned iCloud Passwords shortcut may be stale. Unpin it, open the Start menu, and create a new shortcut.
Sign out or uninstall iCloud
Before signing out, copy any local files you need. Signing out removes iCloud information from the PC, but it does not delete that information from iCloud or other devices. The local copies will no longer stay up to date.
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Sign out
- Open iCloud for Windows.
- Select Account Details.
- Select Sign Out.
- Follow the prompts.
Uninstall on Windows 11
- Select Start → Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Find iCloud.
- Select More → Uninstall.
Sign out before uninstalling.
Uninstall on Windows 10
- Select Start → Settings → Apps → Apps & features.
- Select iCloud and choose Uninstall.
- If iCloud Mail was configured in Outlook, find iCloud Outlook, select Modify, and choose Remove.
FAQ
Can I install the latest iCloud for Windows on Windows 10?
Apple’s current download page lists Windows 11 or later for the latest version. Apple still lists Windows 10 as a minimum for some individual features, including Photos, Drive, Bookmarks, and Shared Albums, but that does not guarantee support for the newest iCloud for Windows release.
Where is the iCloud Drive folder on Windows?
The default location is C:\Users\[username]\iCloud Drive. Files are on demand, so a file may need to download before Windows can open it.
Does iCloud Drive download every file to the PC?
No. Current versions use on-demand downloads. Files under 1 MB download automatically; use Always keep on this device to pin a file or folder locally.
Does iCloud Photos sync edits made in Windows?
No. Edits made to photos or videos on Windows do not sync back to Apple devices or iCloud.com. Upload the edited result as a new file.
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Does iCloud work with the new Outlook?
Apple documents calendar and contact synchronization with classic Microsoft Outlook. The relevant requirements list Outlook 2021 or later, so the new Outlook interface may not provide the documented integration.
Why can’t I share an iCloud Drive folder?
Folder sharing requires iCloud for Windows 11.1 or later. Version 7 does not support the current iCloud Drive sharing workflow.
The Bottom Line
Install iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store, sign in with the Apple Account already used on an Apple device, and enable only the services you need. For everyday files, remember that iCloud Drive is on demand; for photos, remember that Windows edits are uploaded as new files rather than synchronized edits. Outlook synchronization requires classic Outlook, and the latest app release requires Windows 11.
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