Before you begin
Sep 5, 2018 - So if you cannot download your iCloud photos to your PC, then please. So don't let any issue stop you from viewing your photos on your PC,. Jan 15, 2017 - No it is not possible to stop automatic downloads or delay it. ICloud is not a backup system, it is a syncing system, so it downloads whatever. Download iCloud for Windows tool from here and install it onto your computer. Open iCloud for Windows from the Start menu. Tap on Options and select everything you need. Then click Apply and close the main window. Next, open the system tray and click on the cloud icon.
Here's what you need to use iCloud Photos on your PC:
- Windows 7 or later
- Your Apple ID
My Photo Stream isn't available on iCloud for Windows 10 and later. To learn more, check the system requirements for iCloud.
How do I see the photos and videos I uploaded to iCloud Photos from my PC?
After you upload the photos from your PC to iCloud Photos, you can view and manage your photos and videos in the Photos app on iCloud.com and your Apple devices.
How do I download all of my photos and videos to my Windows PC?
After you turn on iCloud Photos on all of your devices, any new photos and videos you add to your library will automatically download to your PC. You can also download your photos and videos by year.
How do I see the status of my upload or download?
After you download iCloud for Windows, you can add it to your status bar to see the progress of your iCloud uploads and downloads. Click the iCloud icon in the Windows Notification Area on your PC. You might need to click Show hidden icons in the Notification Area to see iCloud.
What downloads automatically?
New photos and videos automatically download to your PC at C:Usersyour nameMy PicturesiCloud PhotosDownloads. You can change the location of your downloads in iCloud Photo Options.
I made edits to a photo or video on my Apple device but don’t see them on my PC
iCloud Photos on your Windows PC downloads your photos one time. If you make photo edits after they download to your PC, the edited version won't download again. If you want to save the edited version to your PC, you can download individual photos and videos from iCloud.com or download them by year.
- Open a File Explorer window.
- Under Favorites, click iCloud Photos.
- Click Download Photos.
- Choose the year you want to download and click Download.
If you edit a photo on your PC that you've already uploaded to iCloud Photos, you can change the filename of the photo and upload it to iCloud Photos again.
I added photos to My Photo Stream, but they aren't on my devices
If you add photos to iCloud on your PC, but you don't see them on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, tap Settings > Wi-Fi. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on and your iOS device is connected to the Internet. Get help if you can't connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud. If you're using iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings > iCloud. Make sure that you’re signed in with the same Apple ID that you’re using with iCloud for Windows.
- Open iCloud for Windows, and next to Photos, click Options. Turn on My Photo Stream.
- Close and then reopen iCloud for Windows.
- Restart your computer.
When you turn on iCloud Photos on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or Mac, the photos you add from your PC appear in the All Photos album.
If you still don’t see your Photos on your iOS devices, copy your photos to the Uploads folder.
Copy photos to the Photos Uploads folder
How To Stop Icloud Download Windows
You can also copy your photos from a folder on your PC to the Photos Uploads folder in iCloud.
- Open a File Explorer window (Windows 8 and later) or Windows Explorer window (Windows 7).
- Go to Favorites > iCloud Photos.
- In another window, open the folder where you currently store the photos that you want to add to My Photo Stream.
- Select the photos that you want to add.
- Drag and drop them into the Uploads folder within iCloud Photos.
What happened to the My Photo Stream folder?
After you turn on iCloud Photos on your PC, My Photo Stream turns off automatically. If you want to send new photos to your devices that don't use iCloud Photos, you can turn My Photo Stream back on in iCloud Photo Options.
When you use both iCloud Photos and My Photo Stream, you can see your My Photo Stream photos when you go to Pictures > iCloud Photos > Downloads.
How do I delete photos and videos in iCloud Photos?
If you want to delete photos and videos, you can remove them in the Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, and on iCloud.com.
When you delete photos and videos from your Apple device or on iCloud.com, they won't delete from your PC. And when you delete a photo or video on your PC, they won't delete in iCloud Photos.
I can't see my new comments in the shared album, or I see deleted comments
If you add comments to photos and videos in your shared album and you don't see them, or if you deleted comments and you still see them, follow these steps:
- Make sure that your device has an Internet connection. You need to connect to the Internet to make a comment.
- Check the System Status page for issues affecting Photos.
- See if the number of comments is the same on your iOS device and your Mac or PC.
If you have an Internet connection and a photo or video has a different number of comments on your devices, try these steps:
- Open iCloud for Windows.
- Next to Photos, click Options, then deselect Shared Albums.
- Click OK > Apply.
- Wait about one minute, then click Options again.
- Select Shared Albums > OK > Apply.
- Open My Photo Stream.
- Double-click the shared album, then click Comments.
- Check the comments on the photo or video.
How does iCloud Photos handle RAW photos?
iCloud Photos keeps all of your RAW photos with embedded JPEGs stored in their original formats. You can view thumbnail versions on your Mac, or download and edit them on your Mac or PC.
I don't want the iCloud Download column in iTunes; it really does nothing for me. Whenever I turn it off, it is there next time I open iTunes. This is so frustrating - is there any way to turn it off for good?
2 Answers
Check the 'Only Music Available Offline' option in the [View] menu. Do this not only for Music, but also for Movies and TV Shows (switch to these views from the [view] menu also. THEN remove the iCloud Download column. It should remain gone now. :-)
Seems not.
Best I can find it to just grab the column header & drag it as far to the right as it will go.
At least it will stay there.