Downloading from iCloud on Windows Laptop Suddenly Goes to Zip File

Yesterday I downloaded photos from iCloud onto my Windows laptop and they saved as a jpeg. Today, they are saving as a zip file. Why? What happened? Why would this change? Thank you.

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Sep 28, 2023 11:09 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 1, 2023 01:41 PM

Hi there Merryannm,


It most likely depends upon the amount of photos you're downloading at one time and what format you've chosen. Have a look at the information below:


On your Mac or PC
1. On iCloud.com, click Photos and select a photo or video. Hold the command key on your Mac or control key on your PC to select multiple photos or videos. 
2. Click and hold the download button the iCloud download icon in the upper corner of the window. If you want to download your photo or video as it was originally captured or imported, choose Unmodified Original. For JPEG or H.264 format — including edits, and even if it was originally in HEIF or HEVC format — choose Most Compatible.*
3. Click Download.
If your photos download as a ZIP archive, learn how to uncompress the folder on your Mac or your PC

You'll find this information here: Download iCloud photos and videos - Apple Support


To learn how to uncompress your photos, check out this link from Microsoft Support: Zip and unzip files - Microsoft Support


Take care.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 1, 2023 01:41 PM in response to Merryannm

Hi there Merryannm,


It most likely depends upon the amount of photos you're downloading at one time and what format you've chosen. Have a look at the information below:


On your Mac or PC
1. On iCloud.com, click Photos and select a photo or video. Hold the command key on your Mac or control key on your PC to select multiple photos or videos. 
2. Click and hold the download button the iCloud download icon in the upper corner of the window. If you want to download your photo or video as it was originally captured or imported, choose Unmodified Original. For JPEG or H.264 format — including edits, and even if it was originally in HEIF or HEVC format — choose Most Compatible.*
3. Click Download.
If your photos download as a ZIP archive, learn how to uncompress the folder on your Mac or your PC

You'll find this information here: Download iCloud photos and videos - Apple Support


To learn how to uncompress your photos, check out this link from Microsoft Support: Zip and unzip files - Microsoft Support


Take care.

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Downloading from iCloud on Windows Laptop Suddenly Goes to Zip File

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