Guide: How to Edit iCloud Drive Folder Location on Windows 10 PC
On Windows 10, iCloud Drive won’t let you tell you where it downloads and syncs your files. It uses the primary partition on your PC by default. So unless you have a lot of free disk space to play with, this is an obvious problem. Searching through the various iCloud settings won’t help you either. Well, I tried. But do not worry. You can ‘trickUse iCloud Drive to use another location in Windows 10. And it’s pretty easy to do that as long as you don’t mind downloading your iCloud Drive files to your computer again. Let me start by explaining how the process works, then follow it up by taking you step-by-step through the entire process.
Symbolic links to the rescue
A while ago I wrote about changing the default iTunes backup location in Windows 10. Before that, I used symbolic links. Also known as symlinks, this native Windows functionality allows you to create a dummy folder and link it to a folder in a different location. The dummy folder works just like a real folder, but any files copied into it are actually stored in the folder it is attached to. Sounds fascinating, right? And that’s what we’ll use to shift the location that iCloud Drive uses to download and sync your data as well. You create a symbolic link for the default iCloud Drive location and point it to a folder on another partition or drive. That helps you pretty up space otherwise used by iCloud Drive on the primary partition. Uploads and downloads work as usual, and you won’t even notice a difference. Tip You can also point the symbolic link to a location within an external hard drive or SSD. However, you must remember to keep the drive connected to your PC when it boots up up to make the symbolic link work without any problems. There is a small catch, however. Before creating the symbolic link, you must turn off iCloud Drive. This will delete all iCloud files from your computer, but they will be downloaded again later after you reactivate iCloud Drive. You only need to do this once, and the whole process of shifting the default iCloud Drive storage location and reclaiming space on the primary partition is worth it.
Change the storage location of iCloud Drive
The following method works for both versions of iCloud for Windows: the traditional desktop app and the Microsoft Store app. You do not need to make any adjustments in the steps below for either version. Step 1: Click the iCloud icon in the system tray and then click Open iCloud settings at up the iCloud app.
Step 2: Uncheck the box next to iCloud Drive and click Apply.
Step 3: Click Remove from PC in the confirmation window. This will delete all downloaded iCloud Drive files and folders from your computer. After that, exit the iCloud app. Note: Do not worry. Your files will only be deleted from the local storage and will not be deleted from your iCloud account. They are downloaded again after iCloud Drive is reactivated later. But if you’re concerned, make a backup of your files and folders before clicking Delete from PC. Step 4: Create a new folder within the partition or external drive that you want to change the iCloud Drive storage location to. You can insert any name, but I prefer calling it ‘iCloud Drive’ to avoid confusion. Note: I do not recommend using the root of a drive or partition for the new iCloud Drive storage location. If possible, make it as a subfolder. Step 5: Right-click the Start icon and then click Windows PowerShell in the context menu.
Step 6: Make the necessary adjustments in the command below and then type it into the Windows PowerShell console: cmd / c mklink / J “C: UsersusernameiCloudDrive” “D: iCloudiCloud Drive”
Step 7: Press Enter to run the command. You should see the message ‘Crossing created for …’ as confirmation.
Step 8: Restart the iCloud app from the system tray and re-enable iCloud Drive (check the box next to iCloud Drive, then click Apply).
Your iCloud Drive files will then be downloaded again. You can access them as usual by clicking the iCloud Drive icon in the system tray and then clicking Open iCloud Drive. But although the iCloud Drive files and folders look like they are still present in the same iCloud Drive storage location as before, they are in the new folder you created in the steps above. You can confirm this by going to the default save location (in “C: Usersusername”). Right-click the iCloudDrive folder icon (which looks like a shortcut due to its symbolically linked nature) and then click Properties. It does not refer to the use of space.
Now go to the folder that the symbolic link points to, and you should see all your files there. The default iCloud Drive storage location reflects only the items present in it.
If you want to return to the default iCloud Drive location to store your files and folders, turn off iCloud Drive with the iCloud app and then turn it back on. That should delete the symbolically mounted folder and things should be back to normal.
Swapped drives
If the storage space on your primary storage partition is running low, you can save valuable disk space by moving the iCloud Drive storage location elsewhere. Yes – it is not the most convenient way as you have to redownload all your files. But it is certainly better to have to spend time trying to forage up free space in a different way when you can simply get rid of at least a few gigabytes of storage space quickly. So, did you manage to move iCloud Drive storage location smoothly? Let me know in the comments. The next up Are you bothered with iCloud notifications? Here is how to disable them in Windows 10.
How to Edit iCloud Drive Folder Location on Windows 10 PC: benefits
Faq
Final note
I hope you like the guide How to Edit iCloud Drive Folder Location on Windows 10 PC. In case if you have any query regards this article you may ask us. Also, please share your love by sharing this article with your friends. For our visitors: If you have any queries regards the How to Edit iCloud Drive Folder Location on Windows 10 PC, then please ask us through the comment section below or directly contact us. Education: This guide or tutorial is just for educational purposes. Misinformation: If you want to correct any misinformation about the guide “How to Edit iCloud Drive Folder Location on Windows 10 PC”, then kindly contact us. Want to add an alternate method: If anyone wants to add more methods to the guide How to Edit iCloud Drive Folder Location on Windows 10 PC, then kindly contact us. Our Contact: Kindly use our contact page regards any help. You may also use our social and accounts by following us on Whatsapp, Facebook, and Twitter for your questions. We always love to help you. We answer your questions within 24-48 hours (Weekend off). Channel: If you want the latest software updates and discussion about any software in your pocket, then here is our Telegram channel.
