Your iCloud account allows you to keep all your Apple devices synchronized and connected. However, you can also use it to access your online content from a Windows computer. Using the iCloud or iCloud for Windows website, you can access your photos and other data from any computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use the iCloud website
Step 1. Log in to
www.iCloud.com using your Apple ID.
You can access your iCloud Photo Library from any computer by signing in to this site. Make sure you're signed in with the same Apple ID you used for your iCloud Photo Library.
Step 2. Click on the Photos option
This will display your iCloud Photo Library (the process may take a while the first time).
Step 3. Browse the photos in your photo library
Once the section Pictures open, you will find all the photos of your devices connected to iCloud. The photos you just took with a device will not appear until that device uploads them, which usually takes a few minutes.
- The tab Moments displays your recent photos sorted by date.
- The tab Albums allows you to see your different albums.
Step 4. View a photo in full screen
You can click a photo in the browser to open it and view it in full screen.
- Click on the buttons < and > to view the previous or next photo in the album.
Step 5. Delete a photo
To delete a photo, click the trash can button that appears at the top right of the open photo. The photo will be deleted from all your synced devices.
Step 6. Click Select Photos
This button appears at the top right when you open an album and allows you to select multiple photos. It is used to download or delete several photos at the same time.
Step 7. Select Download
This button allows you to download the selected photos in the default download folder of your browser (this is usually the folder Downloads).
Step 8. Click the delete button
The photos you selected will be deleted from all your synced devices.
Step 9. Add the photos to an album
Click on the button Add to to add the selected photos to an album. You can choose one of the existing albums or create a new one from the pop-up menu that appears.
Method 2 of 2: Use iCloud for Windows
Step 1. Download iCloud for Windows
iCloud for Windows allows you to sync your iCloud photos with a special folder on your computer. This will allow you to access it as you would any file on your computer.
You can download iCloud for Windows at
Step 2. Launch the installation file
Once you have read and accepted the license, iCloud for Windows will be installed on your computer.
- You will find the installation file in the default download folder of your browser (this is usually the folder Downloads).
Step 3. Wait for iCloud for Windows to be installed on your computer
The process will only take a few minutes.
Step 4. Launch iCloud for Windows
The first time you launch the program, you will be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID.
You can quickly launch iCloud for Windows by pressing ⊞ Win and then typing “iCloud”
Step 5. Check the Photos box
This option synchronizes your iCloud Photo Library with your Windows computer. iCloud will create a special folder for your photos so that you can easily access them in Windows Explorer.
You can also check the boxes for other iCloud content that you want to sync with your Windows computer
Step 6. Click Apply to save your changes
iCloud will create the folder Pictures on your computer and start transferring your iCloud Photo Library to it. The process will take some time if you have multiple files saved.
Step 7. Find your iCloud Photos folder
You can quickly access your iCloud Photos folder from Windows Explorer (⊞ Win + E). Look for "iCloud Photos" in the section Favorites from the sidebar or in the window Computer / This PC.
Step 8. Add photos to your iCloud Photo Library
The photos you will add to the folder iCloud Photos on your Windows computer will be imported to your iCloud Photo Library and will be accessible on any device connected to your iCloud. Photos may take a few minutes to appear on other devices.
Step 9. Delete the photos from your iCloud Photos folder
Photos deleted from the folder iCloud Photos will be permanently deleted from your iCloud Photo Library on all your devices.