Manage your iCloud storage from your Windows PC

On your Windows PC, learn how to delete information from iCloud to help make more storage, and how to make an extra copy of information that you keep in iCloud

What happens if you run out of iCloud storage

When you set up iCloud, you automatically get 5 GB of storage for free. You can use that space for things like your iCloud backups, to keep your photos and videos in iCloud Photos, or to keep your documents up to date in iCloud Drive. You can always check how much iCloud storage you're using in Settings on your device or on iCloud.com.

If you run out of iCloud storage:

  • New photos and videos won't upload to iCloud Photos.

  • iCloud Drive and other iCloud apps won't stay up to date across your devices.

  • You won't be able to send or receive emails with your iCloud email address.

  • Your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro won't back up to iCloud.

If you're running low, you can delete content to make more space or upgrade to iCloud+ any time.

Archive or make copies of the information you store in iCloud on your Windows PC

Making an archive of what you keep in iCloud is one more way to keep an extra copy of your information. Then, if you accidentally delete an important document, photo, or email, you can restore the deleted item from iCloud or from the archive that you made.

Copy iCloud Drive files or folders on your Windows PC

  1. Open File Explorer.

  2. In the Navigation pane, click iCloud Drive.

  3. Press and hold the Ctrl key and drag the items to another folder. Include this folder if you back up your computer.

If you need help with any third-party data that's stored in iCloud, contact the app developer directly. Third-party data might use your iCloud storage, even if you can't see the details.

Download copies of your iCloud photos and videos on your Windows PC

  1. Make sure that you set up iCloud for Windows and turn on iCloud Photos.

  2. Open File Explorer. In the Navigation pane, click iCloud Photos, then select the images you want to keep on your PC.

  3. Right-click the selection and choose "Always keep on this device."

  4. After the items download, copy them to another folder on your computer. To do this, press and hold the Ctrl key and drag the items to the folder. Include this folder if you back up your computer.

Copy photos and videos from Shared Albums on your Windows PC

  1. Open iCloud for Windows.

  2. Click Options next to Photos. Note the path listed under iCloud Photos location.

  3. Open a File Explorer window (Windows 8 or later).

  4. Go to the iCloud Photos folder using the above path. Open the Shared folder.

  5. Select the photos you want to save.

  6. Copy the photos to another folder on your computer. To do this, press and hold the Ctrl key and drag the items to your folder. Include this folder if you back up your computer.

Photos and videos copied from Shared Albums aren't saved in full resolution and don't include comments or likes.

Copy your Calendars on your Windows PC

  1. In classic Outlook, go to your Calendar.

  2. Select the calendar you want to copy in the Calendar list.

  3. Deselect all other calendars.

  4. Choose File > Save Calendar.

  5. Click More Options to adjust the date range and amount of detail to include in the calendar. This varies depending on your version of Outlook.

  6. Click OK.

  7. Choose where you want to save the calendar, then click Save.

  8. Repeat with each calendar you want to copy.

Export contacts in Outlook on your Windows PC

See Microsoft's instructions for exporting contacts

For information on backing up your Windows computer, see Microsoft Support.

Make more space available in iCloud on your Windows PC

Before you delete anything, you might want to archive or make copies of the information that you store in iCloud.

Delete backups and turn off iCloud Backup on your Windows PC

  1. Open iCloud for Windows.

  2. Click Storage.

  3. Select Backup from the items listed.

  4. Select one of the device backups, then click Delete. To turn off Backup and remove all backups for that device from iCloud, choose Delete when you're asked to confirm.

When you delete a backup, iCloud Backup also turns off for your device. You can turn iCloud Backup back on in iCloud settings on your device.

Delete photos in iCloud Photos on your Windows PC

  1. Open File Explorer, then click iCloud Photos in the Navigation pane.

  2. Select the photos or videos you want to delete, then press the Delete key.

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.

If you are part of an iCloud Shared Photo Library, photos added to the Shared Library only count towards the storage of the person who created the Shared Library. To delete items that count towards your iCloud storage, make sure that you're viewing your Personal Library.

Delete folders or files in iCloud Drive on your Windows PC

  1. Download and install iCloud for Windows.

  2. Sign in with your Apple Account.

  3. Turn on iCloud Drive.

  4. Go to the iCloud Drive folder, then select the folders or files that you want to delete.

  5. Click Delete. If you downloaded the file to your Windows PC, it goes to your Recycle Bin. If not, you can find the deleted file or folder in Recently Deleted on iCloud.com and your iOS devices for 30 days.

Delete messages and manage Mail on your Windows PC

For Microsoft Outlook 2010 through Outlook 2016 (Windows), delete the email messages that you no longer want. Outlook will permanently delete your messages the next time you close and restart the app.

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