Change iCloud Photos location on Windows

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Change iCloud Photos location on Windows

I am running Windows 10 and I am trying to use my spare Windows machine to backup all my files . . . in this case photos. The "C" drive is not large enough, so I would like to backup my photos to another drive that is much larger. The problem is that the iCloud for PC app does not allow you to choose the location . . . it default's to the C:\Users\**** folder.

I found an older article here: Change iCloud Photos Location on Windows … - Apple Community

that describes how you can create a symbolic link to make this work. I followed the instructions in the above article, but when you tick the box to sync iCloud Photos, it creates another folder in the C:\Users\**** folder . . . leaving the symbolic link still there and visible. Any idea how to make this work? Seems silly that Apple does not allow you to choose the destination folder.

Thanks!

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Dec 3, 2022 10:53 AM

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Answer 1

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sacoward Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 6, 2022 06:15 AM in response to Missy5937

Actually that information is not correct. That information is only with regard to "the location where photos and videos from Shared Albums." Further . . . even that is incorrect because I am able to change the location of my "shared albums" to a location on an external drive. In fact, I have that setup now.

The problem is the location where the my photos and videos are stored. It seems quite silly that there is no option to change the location (as there is the shared albums and the icloud drive).

Back to my question . . . there was an old work around with symbolic links that I am not able to get to work. Has anyone else had success?

Thanks!

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Answer 2

Missy5937

Community Specialist

Dec 5, 2022 04:55 PM in response to sacoward

Hello sacoward,

Thanks for posting in the Apple Support Communities. We're happy to look into this with you. We've done some digging regarding your question, and have found that it's not supported in iCloud for Windows. This is noted here: Set up Photos in iCloud for Windows - Apple Support under #4.

Note: You can only change the location to another folder on the C: Drive. External drives aren’t supported.

Best regards.

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Answer 3

Dorain1

Community Specialist

Dec 6, 2022 10:55 AM in response to sacoward

Hi sacoward,

Looking back at the article, we can see how someone would think the Note: found below step 4 could relate specifically to that step, but it refers to the article itself, not just sharing albums.

This isn't a step that is supported by Apple, they recommend keeping the location set to the C: Drive.

You may want to reach out to Microsoft Support.

Take care!

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Answer 4

sacoward Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 6, 2022 11:00 AM in response to Dorain1

No . . . again. . . I am sorry, but that is incorrect. It clearly refers to the only item that can be changed which is "shared albums". That is the only item that iCloud for Windows allows you to change.

Again my question was regarding a article in the forums from 2 years ago that was able to do what I am trying to do.

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Answer 5

Dec 13, 2022 07:10 PM in response to sacoward

Update to the latest version of iCloud for windows and you can now change the Location of the iCloud Drive in the app.

As for the "Symbolic Link" of the Photos folder, it'll still show up where iCloud for Windows put it, BUT Windows will actually be putting the files in the folder you specified in the instructions. That is how symbolic links work. You are basically fooling the program that won't allow a folder to be moved to think the folder isn't moved.

Once you create the symbolic link you can actually change it's properties in the File Explorer interface.

Navigate to the location where iCloud wants to put the Photo Folder, ie C:\Users\{your profile}\Pictures

You'll see an icon labeled "Icloud Photos" with an arrow indicating it is a link

Right click that icon and choose Properties

You should now see a box appear with a tab labeled "Link Properties" listing the link type as "Symbolic link" and you can see where it points, and even change it.

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Change iCloud Photos location on Windows

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