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How to Change the iCloud Drive Folder Location on Windows

Key Takeaways
  • On older versions, iCloud didn’t let users select the location where it downloads and syncs its files.
  • However, the latest version offers a native way to change the location.
  • You will have to redownload all your files though.

Changing the iCloud Drive folder location on your Windows PC can help you manage storage more efficiently, especially if your primary drive is running out of space. Unlike previous iCloud versions, which required you to use symbolic links, the latest version of iCloud for Windows offers a simple way to change it. Here’s how to do that.

Step 1: Open the iCloud application on your Windows PC and select iCloud Drive.

1. click on the arrow next to iCloud Drive

Step 2: Next, click on Change in the section for “Select the location where your files will be synced“.

2. Select the location where your files will be synced. Simply click on Change

Step 3: In the Browse window, select the new folder location as per your choice. Then, click on Select Folder to confirm.

3. select the new folder location as per your choice. Then click on Select Folder to confirm

Here, you’ll get a warning that all your files will be deleted from the PC and downloaded once again. Click on OK to proceed.

4. Youll get a warning that all your files will be deleted from the PC and downloaded once again. Click on OK to proceed

Step 4: Finally, click on Done to complete the process.

And that’s it. Your iCloud Drive folder location will be changed on your PC now as per your selection.

FAQs

1. What happens to my existing iCloud Drive files if I change the location?

As mentioned in the warning, your iCloud Drive files will be deleted and then re-downloaded to the new location.

2. Can I move the iCloud Drive folder to an external drive?

No, you cannot move the iCloud folder on Windows to any removable or external drives.

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Last updated on 27 August, 2024

1 Comment

  1. This DESCRIBES EXACTLY what I want to do: move my iCloud Photos from my C drive to D drive, And I’m running Windows 11. However, the photos shown above are simply non-existent: opening either iCloud Dive or iCloud Photos, I just get the contents of what I’ve stored in there–NOT the screen with the options as shown above.

    WHAT STEP AM I MISSING????? HELP!!!

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