doodlebug11
Level 1 (9 points)
iCloud

Q: How do I prevent my iCloud downloads from taking up space on my hard drive?  I have an iCloud storage plan, but I'm doing something wrong for my entire 100G drive to be full! Help!

How do I prevent my iCloud downloads from taking up space on my hard drive?  I have an iCloud storage plan, but I'm doing something wrong for my entire 100G drive to be full! Help!

Dell Latitude E6530, Windows 7, Microsoft Office 2010

Posted on Apr 4, 2016 11:30 AM

by Phil0124,Apple recommended
Phil0124 Phil0124
Level 7 (26,973 points)
iPhone
A:

iCloud will keep a copy of everything you store in it locally in case you need to access it while not connected to the internet. This means any data stored in iCloud will have a copy locally and take up the same space.

 

If you are downloading everything again from iCloud to a separate "Downloads" folder that is different to the iCloud folder, then you are using more space on your hard drive for it.  ie Doubling the usage.

 

You need to explain what this Download folder is, and where it is. Is it the iCloud labeled folder, or a different folder all together like Windows own Downloads folder?

Posted on Apr 4, 2016 12:02 PM

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Q: How do I prevent my iCloud downloads from taking up space on my hard drive?  I have an iCloud storage plan, but I'm doing som ... more

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  • Helpful answers

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine Apr 4, 2016 11:32 AM in response to doodlebug11
    Level 7 (25,744 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 4, 2016 11:32 AM in response to doodlebug11

    What iCloud downloads are you referring to?

     

    If your drive is full, then you need to look at what is contained on it and remove some stuff.

     

    Cheers,

     

    GB

  • by doodlebug11,

    doodlebug11 doodlebug11 Apr 4, 2016 11:55 AM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 4, 2016 11:55 AM in response to gail from maine

    Hi Gail,

    Thanks for the speedy reply.  I understand the concept of deleting stuff...I am finding it difficult to convey my issue I think.  I'm trying to understand as clearly as possible why these items are being stored on my hard drive INSTEAD of in my 'virtual' iCloud storage for my later access via iCloud.com or on my mobile devices.  If it is a matter of simply periodically clearing my 'Download' folder, I can do that.  I just want to be sure that if I have an item saved in my iCloud account that I'm not deleting that when I remove it from the Download folder.  I thought when I purchased iCloud storage that everything I saved in my iCloud folders would exist there...not on my PC hard drive.  The purpose is that the items are accessible from all of my devices and NOT eating up my hard drive.

    Is this any more clear?

  • by Phil0124,Apple recommended

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Apr 4, 2016 12:02 PM in response to doodlebug11
    Level 7 (26,973 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 4, 2016 12:02 PM in response to doodlebug11

    iCloud will keep a copy of everything you store in it locally in case you need to access it while not connected to the internet. This means any data stored in iCloud will have a copy locally and take up the same space.

     

    If you are downloading everything again from iCloud to a separate "Downloads" folder that is different to the iCloud folder, then you are using more space on your hard drive for it.  ie Doubling the usage.

     

    You need to explain what this Download folder is, and where it is. Is it the iCloud labeled folder, or a different folder all together like Windows own Downloads folder?

  • by doodlebug11,

    doodlebug11 doodlebug11 Apr 4, 2016 1:09 PM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 4, 2016 1:09 PM in response to Phil0124

    This is actually where it is...not in the 'Downloads' folder on my PC, but within my iCloud folder on my hard drive.  Your explanation helps a lot about how the iCloud works.  Now I just need to know if I am safe to delete the stuff in this iCloud folder on my hard drive?

    File path.JPG

  • by Phil0124,Helpful

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Apr 7, 2016 7:48 AM in response to doodlebug11
    Level 7 (26,973 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 7, 2016 7:48 AM in response to doodlebug11

    No, deleting from that iCloud Drive folder will effectively delete from iCloud. As I said, its a mirrored copy. Anything you do to those files will be done to the files on iCloud.

  • by hamallu62,

    hamallu62 hamallu62 Apr 8, 2016 2:15 PM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (28 points)
    Publishing
    Apr 8, 2016 2:15 PM in response to Phil0124

    AppData\Local\Apple Inc\CloudKit\iCloud Photos/MMCS folder  is using over 250GB on my hard drive , can I delete it, what is it there fore ? offline viewing? If so I don't need it

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Apr 8, 2016 4:22 PM in response to hamallu62
    Level 7 (26,973 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 8, 2016 4:22 PM in response to hamallu62

    Turn off iCloud Photo Library by deselecting it from the Options section for Photos in the iCloud Control Panel.

    iCloud Control Panel

     

    Just follow the instructions here for turning it on, but instead, de-select it.

    iCloud for Windows - Apple Support

  • by JohnrC123,

    JohnrC123 JohnrC123 Jun 14, 2016 3:09 PM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    Jun 14, 2016 3:09 PM in response to Phil0124

    I have a maximum iCloud capacity of 50GB and still have space. I'm curious as to how a mirror image or other backup of that iCloud data would take up >250GB of space on my hard drive.

  • by sbrates,

    sbrates sbrates Jun 17, 2016 1:42 AM in response to doodlebug11
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Jun 17, 2016 1:42 AM in response to doodlebug11

    Is there a way to at least move the mirrored drive to a different drive, such as my E drive or does it have to reside on the C drive?