Set up Photos in iCloud for Windows
With iCloud for Windows, you can access photos and videos stored in iCloud from a Windows computer, including photos and videos stored in iCloud Photos, an iCloud Shared Photo Library, and Shared Albums.
For more information about the ways you can use iCloud with Photos, see Share photos and videos and keep them up to date with iCloud in the iCloud User Guide.
On your Windows computer, open iCloud for Windows, then select Photos.
Click the Options button next to Photos, then select the photos features you want to use.
If you want to access your iCloud Photos and iCloud Shared Photo Library on your PC, select iCloud Photos. Photos and videos are stored in C:\Users\[user name]\Pictures\iCloud Photos\Photos.
Tip: In iCloud for Windows version 14.2 or later, you can choose to download photos and videos in High-Efficiency format and videos in HDR format. Click the Advanced button, then make your selection.
If you want to access your iCloud Shared Albums on your PC, select Shared Albums. To change the location where photos and videos from Shared Albums are stored, click Change.
Note: You can only change the location to another folder on the C: Drive. External drives aren’t supported.
Click Done, then click Apply.
Once you set up the features you want to use, learn where you can view photos and videos, use your iCloud Shared Photo Library, and view Shared Albums.
Learn how to set up Photos if you’re using iCloud for Windows version 7.