OS X Mountain Lion: Setting Up iCloud with Your Windows PC

Lesson 12: Setting Up iCloud with Your Windows PC

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Setting up iCloud on a Windows PC

If you're using Windows, you can still use iCloud. However, you'll first need to download and install the iCloud Control Panel to your computer. Once it's installed, you'll be able to set up iCloud.

To download and set up iCloud on a PC:

  1. Go the Apple Support page for the iCloud Control Panel for Windows.
  2. Click Download.


    Screenshot of Apple iCloudClicking Download
  3. The iCloud Setup dialog box will appear. Click Save File.


    Screenshot of Apple iCloudSaving the setup file
  4. The iCloud setup file will download. When the download is complete, open the file.


    Screenshot of Apple iCloudOpening the downloaded file
  5. A security dialog box will appear. Click Run.


    Screenshot of Apple iCloudClicking run
  6. A welcome message will appear. Review the message and click Next.


    Screenshot of Apple iCloudReviewing the welcome message
  7. Read and accept the License Agreement, then click Next.


    Screenshot of Apple iCloudAccepting the license agreement
  8. The Installation Options dialog box will appear. Click Install.


    Screenshot of Apple iCloudInstalling iCloud
  9. You will see the Welcome to iCloud dialog box. Click Finish.


    Screenshot of Apple iCloudCompleting the iCloud installation
  10. A sign in dialog box will appear. Type in your Apple ID and password. Click Sign in.


    Screenshot of Apple iCloudSigning in to iCloud
  11. You will see a list of all of the iCloud features you can use. By default, they are all turned on. You can leave them all on or turn off as many as you wish.
  12. Click Close.


    Screenshot of Apple iCloudSelecting iCloud features

Once installed, the iCloud Control Panel will appear in your Control Panel under your Network and Internet settings.

Screenshot of Apple iCloudViewing iCloud in the Control Panel

To enable automatic downloads on a PC:

To enable automatic downloads on your PC, you'll first need to download and install iTunes. Once it's installed, it will appear in your Start menu. You'll then be able to turn on automatic downloads.

  1. Click the Start menu, then click iTunes.


    Screenshot of WindowsOpening iTunes
  2. On the left side of the window, select iTunes Store.


    Screenshot of iTunesGoing to the iTunes Store
  3. On the right side of the window, click Sign In and type your Apple ID and password. If you are already signed in, you can skip this step.


    Screenshot of iTunesSigning in to the iTunes Store
  4. At the top of the screen, click Edit, then select Preferences. The Preferences dialog box will open.


    Screenshot of iTunesGoing to the iTunes preferences
  5. Click the Store tab, and place check boxes next to Music, Apps, and Books. When you're done, click OK.


    Screenshot of iTunesEnabling automatic downloads in iTunes preferences

To set up iCloud Photo Sharing on a PC:

iCloud Photo Sharing (previously called Photo Stream) works a little bit differently in Windows. Your photos do not sync with a specific program like iPhoto or Aperture (which are not available for Windows). Instead, they will appear in a specific folder on your computer, and you can then open them or manage them any way you like.

You can use your iCloud Control Panel to find out where your iCloud Photo Sharing folder is located. If you prefer, you can also change the location of this folder.

  1. From the Control Panel, go to your Network and Internet settings and click the iCloud icon. This will open up the iCloud Control Panel for Windows.
    Opening the iCloud Control PanelOpening the iCloud Control Panel
  2. Next to iCloud Photo Sharing, click the Options button.


    Screenshot of WindowsClicking the Options button
  3. You will see the location of your folder. If you want, you can change the location of this folder by clicking the Change button.


    Screenshot of WindowsChanging the Photo Stream folder location