Microsoft simplifies photo syncing between iCloud and Windows 10

What you need to know

Microsoft will introduce the ability to sync photos from iCloud to the Photos app in Windows 10.
The Photos app gained iCloud integration in 2022, but that functionality was limited to the app on Windows 11.
The update is available for Windows 10 PCs enrolled in the Beta and Release Preview channels.
Microsoft also announced an update to the Photos app that will improve its performance on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Your new iPhone 16 will be able to sync photos via iCloud with the Windows 10 Photos app. The new iPhone and all other iCloud-enabled hardware will get expanded integration that was previously limited to Windows 11. The new feature will make it much easier to keep your photos and other iCloud content up to date on your computer, even if your system is running an older operating system.

Almost two years ago, Microsoft added integration between its Photos app and Apple’s iCloud. The functionality, while useful, was limited to Windows 11. However, the tech giant later announced that the Photos app in Windows 10 would be getting an update to integrate with iCloud. The new integration is being tested by Windows Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview channels if their computer is running Windows 10. Microsoft detailed the changes in a recent blog post .

The update is being rolled out to Insiders and may not appear on all computers, even if they are running a Beta or Release Preview build. This is standard for app testing at Microsoft.

“We’re rolling out the ability for Windows 10 users to sync and browse iCloud Photos,” Microsoft said. “To access your iCloud Photos, go to the iCloud Photos timeline in the Photos app, install the latest iCloud for Windows app from the Microsoft Store, sign in with your Apple ID, and select iCloud Photos Sync. Within minutes, you’ll see all your iCloud Photos content automatically appear in the Photos app.”

Microsoft also explained that it is updating the Photos app in Windows 10 to use the new Windows App SDK platform. The Photos app in Windows 11 received this update earlier this year.

The Photos app also has a new layout that makes it easier to find content, whether the items are stored locally, on OneDrive, or in iCloud. When you browse any photo, you’ll be able to search the web using the new Visual Search with Bing feature.

The Death of Windows 10

Surface Pro 7 with Type Cover

Windows 10 will end support in October 2025. (Photo source: Future)

Windows 10 will officially reach its end of support date in October 2025. However, despite this difficult deadline, many people are still using the operating system. Some are unable to upgrade their computers to Windows 11 due to the minimum requirements of the new operating system. Others prefer Windows 10 and plan to use the older operating system for as long as possible.

Some are calling on Microsoft to reconsider cutting support for Windows 10, citing environmental concerns and the fact that many working computers that are no longer supported “will result in the largest spike in the number of PCs being scrapped in history.” Microsoft will have an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10, but it’s expensive. Extending security updates beyond the end of support date isn’t new to Windows, but this will be the first time Microsoft has offered the ESU program to everyone, not just commercial customers.