Delete and recover photos and videos in iCloud for Windows
With iCloud for Windows, you can delete photos and videos stored in iCloud Photos.
When you delete a photo or video, it is also deleted from all your devices that have iCloud Photos turned on. If you change your mind, you have 30 days to recover it before it is permanently deleted.
Delete photos and videos
On your Windows computer, open File Explorer, then click iCloud Photos in the Navigation pane.
If you do not see iCloud Photos, click Pictures in the Navigation pane, then double-click iCloud Photos.
Select the photos or videos you want to delete, then press the Delete key.
Note: In iCloud for Windows 14.2 or later, if you delete a photo in the Microsoft Photos app, the photo is also deleted from all your devices that have iCloud Photos turned on.
Recover photos and videos
Check the Recycle Bin: If you deleted the photo or video on your Windows computer, open the Recycle Bin and locate the file. Right-click the photo or video, then choose Restore.
Recover files on the web: If you do not see the photo or video you are looking for in the Recycle Bin (or want to recover a photo or video you deleted on another device), go to iCloud.com. You can recover photos and videos from the Recently Deleted album in iCloud Photos within 30 days of deletion. For instructions, see Delete and recover photos and videos on iCloud.com in the iCloud User Guide.
You can remove a downloaded photo or video from your PC but keep the thumbnail in your iCloud Photos folder. See Remove iCloud files and photos to free up space on your PC.
Learn how to delete photos if you are using iCloud for Windows version 7.