How to upload to cloud and remove from pc only

Is there a way to upload my photos from my desktop to iCloud and remove then only from the desktop and keep them solely on iCloud?

I need to free up space on my pc and reset it to factory settings, but, do not want to lose my photos.

Thank you so much for your help!

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Jan 5, 2026 5:09 AM

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2 replies

Jan 10, 2026 7:36 PM in response to *AM*

iCloud Photos is a synchronization service.


If you delete a photo from any device synchronized with iCloud Photos, or from iCloud, that deletes it everywhere, including from iCloud. So you cannot, say, have an iCloud Photos library on your Mac, delete photos from it, and still have them in iCloud. Deleting them from the Mac will delete them from iCloud.


Photos stored "loose" in iCloud Drive are a different matter, but that is not the way that most people store photos.

Jan 5, 2026 5:37 AM in response to *AM*

Is there a way to upload my photos from my desktop to iCloud and remove then only from the desktop and keep them solely on iCloud?

I need to free up space on my pc and reset it to factory settings, but, do not want to lose my photos. Is so, can someone please walk me through this as well?

Thank you so much for your help!

How to upload to cloud and remove from pc only

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