iCloud for Windows: you can use these functions on the PC

Using iCloud for Windows

As a Windows user you also have access to the various functions of iCloud. For example, you can transfer files to your iPhone via iCloud Drive, just via your Windows computer. You can also browse your photos, photos, sync bookmarks from your favorite websites, and access iCloud Keychain passwords. In this tip, we’ll show you how to set up iCloud for Windows.

What do I need for iCloud for Windows?

You need an Apple ID to use iCloud on Windows. You also need an iPhone or iPad to configure iCloud.

Of course you also need a PC. It must meet the following system requirements:

• Microsoft Windows 10
• iTunes 12.7 or later
• Outlook 2016 or higher
• Firefox 45 or higher, Google Chrome 54 or higher (desktop mode only), Microsoft Edge or Opera

The Windows 10 May 2019 Update or later is recommended.

How can I set up iCloud for Windows?

Follow these steps to install iCloud on your Windows PC on your PC:

1. Download iCloud for Windows from the Apple site and install the program on your computer. If you have Windows 10 or higher, you can download the program from the Microsoft Store.
2. Download iCloud for Windows 11 or later from this page.
3. Open the program if it does not start automatically.
4. Enter your Apple ID and the corresponding password.
5. Choose the iCloud services you want to use.
6. Then click on To apply.

If you don’t have Windows 10 but an older version, you can download iCloud for Windows 7 and 8 from the Apple website.

If you’ve turned on iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive, new folders will appear in Windows Explorer. Any files you add to the folders will also appear on your iPhone and other Apple devices.

The option for Outlook for synchronizing e-mail, contacts, calendars and reminders only appears if you have Outlook installed. Furthermore, the program selects your default browser for synchronizing your internet bookmarks. In our case we use Chrome, but you can also choose Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Which iCloud services for Windows?

Are you curious about which iCloud services you have at your disposal as a Windows user? Below you can see the requirements. Synchronization means that all data on the devices is synchronized. So you see the same appointments, bookmarks and contacts on the iPhone as on your Windows computer. To do this, you must meet the following requirements:

• Bookmarks: Windows 7 with iCloud for Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 9, Firefox 22, Google Chrome 28 in desktop mode or Opera only.
• Calendar, Contacts and Mail: Windows 7 with iCloud for Windows 7 and Outlook 2010 to Outlook 2016 3 or an up-to-date web browser.
• Family sharing: iCloud for Windows 4.1 and iTunes 12.
• Find My iPhone and Find My Friends: Internet Explorer 11, Firefox 27, Google Chrome 35, Edge, Opera.
• iCloud Keychain: Installed this Chrome extension.
• iCloud Drive: Windows 7 with iCloud for Windows 4.1.
• Share folders in iCloud Drive: iCloud for Windows 11.1.
• iCloud Foto’s: iCloud for Windows 5.
• My Photo Stream: Windows 7 with iCloud for Windows.
• iTunes Match: iTunes 10.5.1 for Windows or later.
• iWork for iCloud: Windows 7 and supported browsers.
• Mail Drop (send attachments): Windows 7.
• Screen time: Windows 7 with iCloud for Windows.
• Two-factor authentication: iCloud for Windows 5.

You can find the full list of requirements here.

Sync photos with iCloud for Windows

If you did not check the option to sync photos when setting up, you can still do so at a later time. This works as follows:

1. Go to iCloud for Windows.
2. Click next to the setting Photo’s in front of Options.
3. Choose iCloud Photo Library and click Ready in To apply.

Also, don’t forget to turn on iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone or iPad so that all photos and videos are synced.

If you have this enabled, an iCloud Photos folder will be created in File Explorer. Photos that you put in the folder Upload are automatically uploaded to your iCloud Photo Library so that they appear on all your devices. If you have shared albums with others, you can view them in the folder Shared.

Where do the iCloud files appear in Windows?

When you’ve set everything up, a new folder called iCloud Drive will appear in the sidebar of Windows Explorer. This is the central place where you will find all your documents and folders stored in iCloud Drive. If you want to upload something yourself, simply place a file in this folder so that it automatically appears on all your devices. In this iCloud Drive folder you will also find folders with Desktop and Documents, if you are using a Mac and have this feature enabled.

Using iCloud Keychain on Windows

Do you want to access passwords in the iCloud Keychain from your Windows PC? Which can. For this you need to install a Chrome extension. This is an official extension released by Apple itself that ensures that all your passwords can be consulted. You can read more about it in the news article below.

How can I change the settings for iCloud for Windows?

The program also allows you to manage your Apple ID or change your iCloud storage space:

1. Open iCloud for Windows. You will then see how much storage space you have left at the bottom.
2. Now click on Storage area. You can now see how much space apps are taking up. If you want more storage, click on Buy more storage.

Changing your data is easy via the main screen in the program. click on Account information and then click on Manage Apple ID. You can then adjust all kinds of settings, such as name and contact details.

How can I remove or turn off iCloud for Windows?

If you no longer want to use certain functions, you can turn off the options one by one by unchecking them in iCloud for Windows and on To apply to click. You can also log out in this screen, after which no new data will be synchronized.

If you want to completely remove the program, log out first. Then follow these steps:

1. Go to the start screen and right click in the lower left corner.
2. Then click on Delete a program.
3. Choose iCloud> Delete.
4. click on And to confirm this.

On Windows 7, go to Control Panel> Programs> Programs and Features> iCloud> Uninstall.

Alternative: Use iCloud.com

Another way to access iCloud services is to log in to iCloud.com. You only need an Apple ID for this. You can also access iCloud this way on other operating systems such as Linux. If you rarely need the functions of iCloud, there is no need to install the software.