Understanding iCloud Drive

How to Add iCloud to File Explorer
How to Add iCloud to File Explorer

Before we go to the steps of how to add iCloud Drive to File Explorer, let’s learn something about iCloud Drive first.

iCloud Drive is Apple's cloud storage service that allows users to store their files, photos, videos, and other data on the cloud. It provides a seamless experience across Apple devices, enabling users to access their files from their iPhones, iPads, and Macs. iCloud Drive also offers automatic synchronization, ensuring that any change made to a file on one device can be reflected on all other devices connected to the same iCloud account. But sometimes iCloud may be not syncing with your Windows PC.

Why Add iCloud Drive to File Explorer?

Adding iCloud Drive to File Explorer allows you to access and manage your iCloud files directly from the Windows operating system. It provides seamless integration between your iCloud storage and your local file system, enabling you to easily transfer files between your iCloud account and your Windows PC.

By adding iCloud Drive to File Explorer, you can perform various tasks such as:

  • Uploading and Downloading Files: You can transfer files from the PC to your iCloud storage or do the opposite using the familiar File Explorer interface.
  • Organizing Files: You can create folders, move files, and rename items within iCloud Drive directly from File Explorer, making it easier to manage your files.
  • Sharing files: You can share files and folders stored on iCloud Drive with others by right-clicking on the files and selecting the appropriate sharing options on your Windows PC.

How to Add iCloud Drive to File Explorer

It is not difficult to sweep out how do I get iCloud Drive on my Windows 10 confusion. You can follow the steps below.

Step 1: Download and install iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store.

Step 2: Launch iCloud for Windows and sign in with your Apple ID.

iCloud for Windows Sign in
iCloud for Windows Sign in

Step 3: Select the checkboxes next to "iCloud Drive" and any other iCloud features you want to enable on your PC. Then click the "Apply" button to save your settings.

Apply the iCloud for Windows Settings
Apply the iCloud for Windows Settings

Step 4: Open File Explorer on your Windows PC. In the left sidebar, you should now see "iCloud Drive" listed and you can click on it to access your iCloud files.

Access iCloud Drive in File Explorer
Access iCloud Drive in File Explorer

Troubleshooting Common Issues with 7 Solutions

If you encounter any issue while adding iCloud Drive to File Explorer, try the following troubleshooting solutions.

Check Your Internet Connection

Ensure that your Windows PC is connected to the internet. A stable internet connection is necessary to set up and access iCloud Drive.

Update iCloud for Windows

Make sure you have the latest version of iCloud for Windows installed on your computer. Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues.

Restart iCloud for Windows

Close iCloud for Windows completely and then relaunch it. Sometimes, restarting the application can solve glitches or connectivity issues.

Check Your Apple ID

Double-check that you are using the correct Apple ID to sign in to iCloud for Windows. Verify your credentials and ensure that your Apple ID has iCloud Drive enabled.

Disable and Re-enable iCloud Drive

In iCloud for Windows, uncheck the box next to "iCloud Drive" and click "Apply." Then, check the box again and click "Apply" to re-enable it. This action can refresh the connection between iCloud Drive and File Explorer.

Restart Your Computer

Sometimes, a simple restart of your Windows PC can help resolve temporary software issues and ensure a fresh start for iCloud Drive integration.

Reinstall iCloud for Windows

If the above steps do not work, you can try uninstalling iCloud for Windows and then reinstalling it. First, uninstall the program from your computer's control panel and then download the latest version from the official Apple website and install it again.

Bonus Tip: Sync iCloud Drive to Another Cloud via MultCloud

After you add iCloud Drive to Windows PC, you can easily transfer iCloud files to OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, or other clouds by copying and pasting as long as you installed their desktop apps. However, directly syncing files from iCloud Drive to another cloud is still not that easy. But MultCloud can do this in the simplest way.

MultCloud is a free service that aims to manage all your cloud drives in one place. To sync files, you can use Cloud Sync. It not only transfers the files from iCloud Drive to another cloud but meets your other syncing needs like running in real time or only syncing the modified files.

Step 1: Get a free account on the MultCloud website.

 

Step 2: Click “Add Cloud” and the iCloud Drive icon, then go through the two-factor authentication to connect your iCloud Drive account to MultCloud. Also, choose another cloud (Google Drive for example) to add to MultCloud with these operations.

Add iCloud Drive and Google Drive
Add iCloud Drive and Google Drive

Step 3: Tap on the “Cloud Sync” button in the left bar and choose iCloud Drive and another cloud in the boxes. At last, click “Sync Now” to start the syncing process.

Sync iCloud Drive to Google Drive
Sync iCloud Drive to Google Drive

Note:

  • If you want to use Real Time Sync, Two-way Sync, or other sync modes, you should select them in Options before you click the “Sync Now” button.
  • If you want to sync files regularly but don’t need the process always running, you can use the Schedule feature to set a preferred frequency.
Cloud Sync Schedule
Cloud Sync Schedule

Conclusion

After reading the step-to-step guide on how to add iCloud Drive to File Explorer, you must master the method. If you meet any trouble during the installation process, don’t forget to check the 7 solutions in the post to solve it. Besides, if you want to sync iCloud Drive to another cloud, using MultCloud Cloud Sync will be a quite good attempt.

Of course, MultCloud has more functions like Cloud Transfer, Cloud Backup, and Email Migration. Once you find yourself needing to transfer your Gmail emails to Dropbox, OneDrive, Evernote, or other clouds, MultCloud still deserves a try.

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