Get started
Before you set up iCloud for Windows, you'll need to do a few things:
- Make sure you have an iCloud account. If you don't, here's what you'll need to create one:
- An Apple ID
- iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 5 or later, or a Mac with OS X Lion v10.7.5 or later
- To use Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Reminders, install Microsoft Outlook 2007 or later.
- To use iCloud Drive, upgrade your iCloud account to iCloud Drive.
Set up iCloud for Windows
You need to download and install iCloud for Windows before you can start using it. Follow these steps to download and install iCloud for Windows:
- Download iCloud for Windows. If it doesn't install automatically, go to File Explorer and open iCloud Setup.
- Restart your computer.
- Make sure iCloud for Windows is open. If it doesn't open automatically, go to Start, open Apps or Programs, and open iCloud for Windows.
- Enter your Apple ID to sign in to iCloud.
- Choose the content types that you want to keep updated across your devices.
- Click Apply.
Keep documents and photos up to date
When you turn on iCloud Drive and Photos, iCloud for Windows creates new folders for those content types in File Explorer. Then when you save files in those folders, the files will automatically appear on your other devices.
Already have documents or photos in iCloud? They'll download to the folders in File Explorer automatically when you set up iCloud for Windows.
Update your iCloud preferences and manage storage
You can update your iCloud preferences, see how much iCloud storage you're using, and update your storage plan whenever you want. Just go to Start, open Apps or Programs, and open iCloud for Windows.
