OneDrive unable to sync Pictures when iCloud for Windows installed

Question

I have OneDrive enabled. I also have iCloud for Windows installed. As I'm sure you know, iCloud for Windows creates a folder in C:\Users<MyUser>\Pictures\iCloud Photos, and stores its photos below that in .\Photos.

In OneDrive, I navigate to Settings > Sync and Backup and select 'Manage backup'. In the window showing the list of backup folders, next to Pictures is the message Unable to Sync. Below is the message: We can't backup your Pictures folder in OneDrive because is contains another cloud storage.

If I disable iCloud for Windows, the message does not occur. I have researched the Apple iCloud support but haven't found a solution to enable both services. The most apparent solution is to move one of the service's storage to a different location.

But unfortunately, iCloud always puts it folder in the System Folder Pictures. Even when I Move.. Pictures, iCloud follows. And base on my research at the Apple communities there appears no one knows how to point that to a different location. But I don't expect them to know much about Windows.

So, to all the Windows gurus, does anyone know how redirect iCloud Photos to another location? Heck if I can just move it up one folder level to <MyUser>, that would be enough.

Answer 1

At the moment, it looks like the only options are either:

Disabling iCloud for Windows (which isn’t ideal), or

Excluding the Pictures folder from OneDrive backup and syncing everything else as usual.

If Apple ever adds the option to customize the iCloud Photos folder location, that would be a huge help. Until then, it’s a bit of a turf war in the Pictures directory.

Answer 2

Step-by-Step: Fix OneDrive and iCloud Conflict on Windows

Goal: Exclude Pictures from OneDrive backup so iCloud Photos can sync without interference

Prerequisites:

1. - OneDrive for Windows installed and running
2. • iCloud for Windows installed and syncing photos

Steps:

1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon — Find it in the system tray near the clock (bottom-right of your screen) — You might need to click the [ ^] arrow to reveal hidden icons
2. Click Settings

— In the OneDrive popup, click the gear icon, then choose Settings

3. Go to Sync and Backup

— In the left sidebar of the Settings window, click Sync and Backup

4. Click Manage Backup — This shows a list of folders OneDrive tries to back up: Desktop, Documents, Pictures
5. Turn OFF backup for Pictures folder — Click the Stop backup button next to the Pictures folder — Confirm the change when prompted
6. Restart OneDrive (optional but helpful) — Right-click the OneDrive icon again and choose Close OneDrive — Reopen it from the Start menu to refresh your sync settings

• OneDrive won’t try to back up the Pictures folder anymore, so the iCloud Photos folder inside it won’t cause conflicts.
• You’ll avoid the Unable to sync error while keeping both cloud services running.