How to remove iCloud Photo library from OneDrive

Andrew Schultz 20 Reputation points
2026-09-06T14:19:09.48+00:00

I am trying to share my OneDrive between multiple computers in different locations. When I first tried to sync them, I could not sync the Pictures folder because it has the iCloud. I need this function more than I need the iCloud backup on my PC.

How do I properly remove the iCloud Photo library from OneDrive Pictures folder without compromising any data?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Windows
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Answer accepted by question author
EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-09-06T14:59:19.8433333+00:00

Yes. Since your goal is to let OneDrive manage and synchronize the Windows Pictures folder, the safest approach is to disable iCloud Photos on that PC before enabling OneDrive Pictures backup.

Do not simply delete the iCloud Photos folder while iCloud Photos app is still enabled. This can end up deleting your photos from all devices.

I would do this first:

Confirm your photos are available at iCloud.com or on another Apple device.

  1. If there are any photos you want to keep an extra local copy of on this Windows device, open iCloud Photos in File Explorer, right-click them and select Always keep on this device. Once they are fully downloaded, copy them to another folder or an external drive.
  2. Open iCloud for Windows (this is the app)

Go to Photos and turn off iCloud Photos. Also turn off Shared Albums if it is enabled.

Click Done > Apply.

If prompted, select Delete from PC.

The wording sounds concerning, but this only removes the iCloud Photos copies from that PC. The photos remain in iCloud and on your other Apple devices. If I remember correctly, you might need to restart the computer before doing the following.

Once iCloud Photos is no longer using the Pictures folder, open:

OneDrive > Settings > Sync and backup > Manage backup

Then enable Pictures folder.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-06T14:19:26.1766667+00:00

    To remove the iCloud Photo library from OneDrive without losing data, use one of these supported approaches:

    1. Keep the iCloud photo folder on the PC, but remove it from OneDrive
      • In File Explorer, move the iCloud photo folder out of the OneDrive folder structure to another local folder.
      • This keeps the folder available on the PC only and removes it from OneDrive.
      • This is the safest approach when the goal is to stop OneDrive from syncing that content while preserving the files locally.
    2. If the issue is that Pictures is being backed up by OneDrive
      • Open OneDrive settings from the OneDrive cloud icon.
      • Go to Sync and backup.
      • Select Manage backup.
      • Turn off backup for Pictures.
      • Then choose whether to keep the files:
        • only in OneDrive, removing them from the computer, or
        • only on my PC, removing them from OneDrive.
      • To avoid data loss, choose only on my PC if the iCloud library must remain local.
    3. If only some OneDrive folders should sync to a computer
      • Open OneDrive settings.
      • Go to the Account tab.
      • Select Choose folders.
      • Uncheck folders that should not sync to that computer.
      • This removes the unchecked folders from that computer, but they remain available online.

    Important points:

    • If a folder is moved outside the OneDrive folder, it is no longer synced by OneDrive.
    • If files are deleted from OneDrive online and syncing is enabled again later, those files will also be deleted from the local computer.
    • If the folder contains cloud-only files, OneDrive may show: "Some files couldn’t be moved. Download them first by changing their state to Always keep on this device".
    • Deleting files from a synced OneDrive folder can delete them from both the PC and OneDrive. Moving the iCloud folder out of OneDrive is safer than deleting it.

    If the iCloud library is currently inside OneDrive\Pictures, the cleanest path is:

    1. Turn off Pictures backup in OneDrive > Settings > Sync and backup > Manage backup.
    2. Choose Keep the files only on my PC.
    3. Confirm the iCloud photo folder is now outside the OneDrive-managed location.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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