iCloud for Windows: How to Change Sync Location to a Different Drive

Most Windows users face storage issues because iCloud for Windows defaults its sync location to the C: drive—specifically:

C:\Users\User Name\Pictures\iCloud Photos

If your C: drive is running out of space and you have a secondary hard drive (e.g., an E: drive with 2 TB) where you’d rather store your photos, follow this step-by-step technical guide to redirect the sync path.

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Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure the following:

1. Stop Current Sync: If iCloud is already installed, open iCloud Settings, turn off Photos Sync, and then Uninstall the iCloud app from your system.

2. Check File System: Both your C: drive and E: drive must be formatted as NTFS. iCloud does not support FAT32 or ReFS or exFAT for syncing.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the New Destination

Create a folder named Pictures on your secondary drive (e.g., E:\Pictures).

Step 2: Move the Windows Default Pictures Location

1. Open File Explorer.

2. On the left sidebar, right-click the Pictures shortcut folder and select Properties.

3. Go to the Location tab.

4. Click Move, navigate to E:\Pictures, and select it.

5. Click Apply and OK.

Step 3: Clean Up Existing User Folders

Navigate to C:\Users\User Name\. If a folder or icon named Pictures still exists there, delete it.

Note: If your PC has multiple user accounts, repeat this for each user (e.g., C:\Users\User2 Name\).

Step 4: Create a Directory Junction (Symbolic Link)

To ensure the iCloud app recognizes the new path without errors, we will use a Junction link.

1. Search for CMD, right-click it, and select Run as Administrator.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   mklink /J "C:\Users\User Name\Pictures" "E:\Pictures"
   

   (Replace User Name with your actual Windows username.)

3. If you have multiple users sharing the same sync drive, run the command for them as well:

   mklink /J "C:\Users\User2 Name\Pictures" "E:\Pictures"
   

Step 5: Final Setup

1. Restart your computer to finalize the path changes.

2. Download and install iCloud specifically from the official Microsoft Store to ensure you have the latest version.

3. Sign in and enable Photos.