HT205323: Set up and use iCloud Photo Library on your Windows PC

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asherwood

Q: icloud photo library Download library button greyed out Windows 10

Hello,

 

I have upgraded to the latest version if iCloud for Windows but I can't get the iCloud photo librayr working correctly.

 

I can see the "Download Library..." button in the iCloud control panel but it is greyed out and I can't click on it. Any ideas on how to get it to work?

 

Thanks!

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.1

Posted on Oct 27, 2015 11:14 PM

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Q: icloud photo library Download library button greyed out Windows 10

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  • by MrBriz,Solvedanswer

    MrBriz MrBriz Nov 1, 2015 4:29 PM in response to asherwood
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 1, 2015 4:29 PM in response to asherwood

    My mother-in-law has just had exactly the same problem and here is how I fixed it..

     

    Note - this process will require a restart. Make sure you PC is in a state where it can be restarted before continuing......

     

    I would credit a poster somewhere on this forum for this fix, but as I was logged into my mother-in-laws PC at the time and I'm not anymore I don't have the link (and can't find it on Google, although there are a bunch of old posts stating similar options for this fix in older versions of the iCloud software) so this is not actually my fix, but something I found by googling (googleing? Who knows... maybe google! Oh dear.. rabbit hole.. seems there are a bunch of various posts on different forums... https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=g oogling%20or%20googleing anyway I digress.... back on topic)

     

    1. Log out of icloud. I did this by clicking on the icon in the taskbar, opening up the settings window and then clicking "Sign Out" (I think it's at the bottom left of the window). I believe it said about deleting local content / documents, I didn't care about these as I knew they "should" come back when fixed. If you're worried about any local stuff not uploaded to iCloud make sure you have a backup first.
    2. Open Task Manager (ctrl+shift+esc) and End all Apple iCloud and Photostream processes
    3. Go to Change / Remove Programs (or whatever it's called... If you type in change programs in the search bar in windows it should come up)
    4. Find iCloud in the list and right click then select change (I think that was the option.... there was only one option anyway!)
    5. Select the option form the list that says Repair (not remove)
    6. Click next.. it will do some stuff then ask you to restart your PC. Do this now.
    7. Once restarted click on the iCloud icon in the taskbar, go to settings, then login.

     

    Hopefully once you've done the last step and are logged in it should work.

     

    If that doesn't work for you then I have no idea But hopefully this process works.

     

    Adios,

     

    James

  • by asherwood,

    asherwood asherwood Oct 28, 2015 4:14 PM in response to MrBriz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2015 4:14 PM in response to MrBriz

    Thanks! Will try this out and let you know if works for me

  • by asherwood,

    asherwood asherwood Nov 1, 2015 4:29 PM in response to MrBriz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 1, 2015 4:29 PM in response to MrBriz

    Thanks, that worked for me!

  • by John Degroof,

    John Degroof John Degroof Nov 9, 2015 3:40 PM in response to MrBriz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 9, 2015 3:40 PM in response to MrBriz

    Unfortunately, this did not work for me.  Not only is "Download Library" greyed out, but Computer -> iCloud Photos only has "Download photos and videos" and "Upload photos and videos" buttons, no download or sync buttons as there should be.  Done the repair and remove iCloud procedure twice.  Any suggestions?

  • by 3.9.3,

    3.9.3 3.9.3 Dec 30, 2015 9:02 PM in response to asherwood
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2015 9:02 PM in response to asherwood

    i tried. when I modify it says: Problem with Microsoft package!

     

    What I did is Delete the whole (iCloud on Windows) and then restart then download it again!

     

    Hopefully it solves the problem.

  • by 3.9.3,

    3.9.3 3.9.3 Dec 30, 2015 9:38 PM in response to John Degroof
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2015 9:38 PM in response to John Degroof

    Me too, I guess Apple has problem with their Apps.

     

    I have Windows 10, iCloud latest update. Tried to modify it from Add or remove programs and it said "there is a problem with Windows Installer"

    What I did is remove it not just repair it. I did it twice and when I open iCloud it says there is an error and I press "Automatically diagnose"

     

    Still not solved. BTW I subscribed for 200GB and I couldn't use more than 10GB with this errors and problems.

     

    Edit: I did change the loaction first time to another SSD. still not working with default loaction or my wanted location.

     

    This apple icloud on windows problem is really frustrating since I will travel and wants the pictures ready on my Surface book.

     

    Update: It did work! Also on my desired location! I don't know how but I opened iCloud on Chrome and started watching my lovely pictures then opened iCloud on the taskbar and directly pushed on "Download Photos" then I begin scrolling on iCloud on chrome then traaa! the window appeared and I selected all of the photos and videos!

  • by cardgal,

    cardgal cardgal Feb 17, 2016 8:51 PM in response to asherwood
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 17, 2016 8:51 PM in response to asherwood

    Turning off "User Account Control" solved the problem on my Windows 7 computer: after rebooting, the "photos" option was enabled *AND* Photostream was updated, which had not been happening.  It was not necessary to change any iCloud settings, much less to uninstall/reinstall it.

     

    So, I now have a very simple choice: use iCloud OR protect my computer from possibly-malicious alteration; apparently, I can't have both at the same time.  It is so nice to have such wonderful support from these two mammoth computer companies who cooperate so closely together to ensure the best for their customers.