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Photostream is not syncing on my Windows 7 PC

So... no matter what I do, I can't get Photostream to sync to my Windows 7 PC.


I have iCloud desktop set up. I have the folders where they should be. Photostream works on my iPhone (I turned it off on my iPhone, it removed the pics, turned it back on, and it loaded them back on)


However, photos placed in upload on my PC don't upload... and no photos from my photostream have loaded on to my comptuer. I've even uninstalled and reinstalled the iCloud desktop program.



Any thoughts? It's working great on my wife's PC (which I set up), so it's not that I don't understand the concept.


I've even shut down my virus scanner to see if that was blocking (it wasn't).



Sooooo... it's driving me crazy. Is there a service I can look for in Windows that might not be running? Anything? Anyone? Buehler? I need help!

Posted on Oct 17, 2011 9:03 AM

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398 replies

Oct 26, 2011 4:43 AM in response to brstowe

I tried the other folders and it didn't work. I get the concept; just didn't fix my problem.



Interesting you had Kaspersky... I was running Kaspersky initially. Since then, it's been uninstalled off my machine; I'm wondering if Kaspersky had been part of the cause of the problem and if it blocked something that screwed it all up - that despite now being uninstalled, is still causing issues.


Hmmm

Oct 26, 2011 4:49 AM in response to WaterOz

I don't know how to do it on a Windows computer, but in OSX it's really easy to create an ad hoc network. If you know how to do that, set one up to isolate any network-setup issues. Create it as a temporary connection with no security/password and connect your iPhone to it in WiFi Settings. If Photo Stream works, it's your router.


Further... next thing I would try is safe boot.

Also, try completely removing (at least temporarily) all antivirus software... not just "deactivating" it. You'd be surprised what a mess simply being there can cause. It's one of the reasons I gave up on Windows. You might need to check on the AV developer's website for a removal tool. Most reputable developers supply them. Often, uninstalling with Add/Remove Programs is not complete with antivirus software.


Also, try in another user account.



Of course... visually check/verify that the computer and your iPhone are signed into the same iCloud AppleID; don't just assume they are.


***If you're worried about any security issues in removing antivirus, unplug your modem to disconnect you from the internet. You do not need an internet connection for Photo Stream to work; you only need Wifi.

Jan 4, 2013 5:12 AM in response to WaterOz

Ok, First Things First


Make sure you have photostream turned on in the settings.


1. On the homescreen click settings


2. On the settings on the selection pane on the left tap iCloud.


3. Once on the iCloud Settings


4. Tap ''Photostream''


5. If photosteam isn't on slide the option to on.


Windows 7 PC Can not sync through iTunes from the photostream, you must have the iCloud Control Panel Installed.


If Not Installed Download It Here: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1455


When you have installed the control panel, go on the control panel and make sure the Photostream box is ticked.


Make sure you are loggedon your Apple ID On The Left


User uploaded file

Hope this helps


Jack Reason


<Edited by Host>


🙂

Oct 26, 2011 6:41 AM in response to watts300

Thanks for the advice on that... I might try that. However, apple engineers are still trying to figure out my specific problem, so I may wait to see if I hear back from them - partly because while this may prove that it's a network issue, it isn't really a fix; I'd likely have to continue to run my computer that way to make it work

Oct 26, 2011 6:43 AM in response to Jack From Southend-On-Sea ASPV

Hey Jack...



I"m pretty sure we probably wouldn't have gotten this far in this conversation if it was just a matter of selecting Photostream on OR the account not matching.



I appreciate the try though. I'm at the point where Apple has actually called me and collected info from my computer so they can investigate the problem (and hopefully figure out what's going on)



Thanks!

Oct 26, 2011 9:52 AM in response to WaterOz

Agree. I'm in the same boat. Computer is working fine and the Windows firewall will remain ON, why would I want to turn it off? I'd rather not sync to Photo Stream instead of losing my firewall. Actually I'm simply curious as to what prevents downloads from iCloud to my PC, do I think that the iCloud functionality is that great? No. Dropbox does it all much better when you think of it. Apple called but I have a day job so let's see if they are able to find a solution. I can see the router being part of the problem/solution.

Oct 26, 2011 10:02 AM in response to cdn-tallguy

Why would you want to turn off a firewall? Good question, but the point is not to shut down all protection you might have in place, the point is to isolate and determine what is causing the problem. It must be isolated to determine if there's an issue with the Photo Stream feature, of if there's an issue with the Windows OS, antivirus, or network setup. Once it is isolated that Photo Stream works with any of that removed (for example, after a fresh install of Windows7 with no 3rd party software and no security in place) then walls can be rebuilt if you do really want to use Photo Stream.


But since you don't, it's sure nice to know that there are people out there that like to allow Apple to waste their time on individual computer issues.

Oct 26, 2011 10:07 AM in response to watts300

Well, if you must know, and as me and Apple discussed... at one point I tried it with all of the firewalls turned off on my machine... all virus scanners uninstalled... and guess what? Still didn't work.


The only thing I didn't do was the Ad Hoc network... but at that point, shouldn't make much of a difference.



AND it would have to be connected to the internet, not just wifi - the way photostream works is that it saves the photos to apple servers and then downloads them back to the different devices on iCloud. Photostream is different than wi-fi syncing, which only needs a wifi connection - Photostream requires access to apple servers...

Oct 26, 2011 10:11 AM in response to watts300

Oh... and further - I don't think Apple even feels like they are "wasting their time on individual computer issues". If I'm having this problem (as well as the other commenters with similar issues) then there are probably A LOT of other users who'd never log in to the Message Boards experiencing the same problem. For them, this means they can fix something and make their overall product better for everybody. On top of that, this thread has had 2326 views - which means there are likely a lot of people having the problem.



Besides... I don't think they'd have called me, based off of a discussion board, unless they felt it was worth trying to fix and figure out. I hadn't sent them any messages myself - calling me was their decision.

Oct 28, 2011 6:04 AM in response to WaterOz

I think it might a combination of things and this is why. When I am using my only windows PC (Domained for work) it will only open the Icloud Control Panel if I am at home without starting VPN. When I finally can get the control panel open I can select Photostream and set the folders. It still will not upload or download anything. I have tried all of the suggestions except for buying a Mac since I already have one.

Photostream is not syncing on my Windows 7 PC

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