With the launch of its apps and services, Apple has started taking the Windows ecosystem seriously. The company’s media apps, like Apple Music and Apple TV, are available to download from the Microsoft Store. You can even access your iCloud account right from the File Explorer app too. Here’s how to set up and use iCloud on Windows 11.
Accessing your iCloud folders and data is no longer a cumbersome experience on Windows 11. Apple now offers a native iCloud app on Windows that tightly integrates with the File Explorer app. You can also take advantage of the newly redesigned iCloud web app that combines emails, notes, reminders, photos, and all the folders.
Install and Set Up iCloud on Windows
Thankfully, iCloud is available to download from the Microsoft Store on Windows. You can use the link below to install iCloud on your PC. After a successful installation, use the steps below to set it up.
Step 1: Open iCloud on Windows and sign in with your Apple account details.
Step 2: It asks you to enter a six-digit 2FA code. You can find the code on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 3: You can check your iCloud storage breakdown and enable relevant iCloud services for your PC.
Step 4: Click the checkmark beside iCloud Drive and hit Apply.
You can now close iCloud, and it continues to run in the background.
Check iCloud Folders in File Explorer
Now that you have enabled iCloud Drive on Windows check the folders in the File Explorer app.
Step 1: Press the Ctrl + E keys to open the File Explorer app.
Step 2: Select iCloud Drive from the sidebar.
Step 3: You can check all your iCloud folders. A small cloud icon below a folder indicates that it’s online only and doesn’t take up space on your drive.
Step 4: You can right-click on such folders and select ‘Always keep on this device’. When a folder is available offline, you shall see a green checkmark below it.
If you run low on desktop space, right-click on an offline folder and select ‘Free up space’. The system makes the iCloud folder online only. You can also check our dedicated post to delete temporary files on Windows 11.
Change iCloud Location in File Explorer
By default, iCloud uses the C: drive in the File Explorer app. You can change the location using the steps below.
Step 1: Open iCloud on Windows.
Step 2: Select ‘Options’ beside iCloud Drive.
Step 3: Click Change and choose another location for your iCloud Drive.
Launch iCloud at Startup
You can launch iCloud at startup and keep your latest files in sync with the desktop.
Step 1: Open the Settings menu by pressing the Windows + I keys.
Step 2: Head to Startup under the Apps menu.
Step 3: Enable the iCloud Drive toggle.
From now on, whenever you log in on your Windows PC, the system starts running iCloud Drive in the background and syncs your latest files.
Use iCloud Web
If you don’t want to use dedicated software to check iCloud on Windows, use the web app. Apple has completely redesigned the iCloud web. It’s a useful option for those who only want to download a couple of files or upload media from the PC. Let’s check it out.
Step 1: Visit iCloud Web on your Windows PC.
Step 2: Sign in using your Apple account details.
Step 3: You can check the revamped iCloud home. Click Drive.
Step 4: Click Browse from the sidebar and check your iCloud folders.
Step 5: You can select multiple files and hit the download button at the top.
Overall, Apple has done a commendable job with iCloud web.
Manage Your iCloud Files on Windows
With Apple’s seamless iCloud integration with the File Explorer menu, managing your iCloud files is quite easy on Windows. You can check your iCloud Photos in the default Photos app too.
