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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →If File Explorer Gallery crashes when iCloud Drive is installed or syncing, the cause and a specific fix are not confirmed by the official guidance available. Start with Microsoft’s low-risk File Explorer steps: install available Windows updates and restart. First identify whether Gallery itself crashes, iCloud Drive crashes when opened, or iCloud Photos simply fails to display; those are different problems.
Identify which iCloud and Windows feature is failing
iCloud Drive and iCloud Photos are separate features, and a failure in one does not establish that the other is responsible. Before changing sync settings, note what action triggers the problem:
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- Gallery crashes: The Windows Gallery view closes or File Explorer stops responding when you open or use Gallery.
- iCloud Drive browsing crashes: File Explorer fails when you navigate to the iCloud Drive folder, whether or not Gallery is involved.
- Photos or videos display incorrectly: The files appear in Microsoft Photos or File Explorer but do not display as expected. Apple’s documented resync steps address this symptom.
Record your Windows edition, version and build, your iCloud for Windows version, and the exact action that causes the failure. Also note whether the problem continues when iCloud Photos syncing is off. The official sources cited here do not provide a current iCloud-specific compatibility matrix or identify which released Windows builds are affected.
Try Microsoft’s basic File Explorer troubleshooting
Microsoft’s general guidance applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10: check for available Windows updates, install applicable updates, and restart the PC. These are baseline steps for File Explorer problems, not a confirmed repair for an iCloud-related Gallery crash. See Microsoft’s File Explorer troubleshooting steps.
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Reset iCloud Photos only if photos or videos display incorrectly
Apple documents a resync procedure for iCloud Photos and Shared Albums when photos or videos are not displaying correctly on a PC. It is not documented as a fix for iCloud Drive browsing problems or Gallery crashes. Follow it only if the symptom matches Apple’s description.
- Open iCloud for Windows and turn off iCloud Photos and Shared Albums. Select Done, then Apply.
- When prompted, choose Delete from PC. This removes local copies from the PC. Apple says the photos and videos remain safe in iCloud and on your other Apple devices.
- Wait until the photos and videos no longer appear in Microsoft Photos or File Explorer.
- Turn iCloud Photos and Shared Albums back on. New copies will begin syncing; Apple notes that the time required depends on the size of your library.
This process can trigger a lengthy resync, so allow time for it to finish. Apple’s instructions are at If your iCloud photos and videos aren’t displaying correctly on your PC (published May 7, 2025).
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What Windows Gallery history does—and does not—show
Microsoft’s Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23466 notes, published May 24, 2023, listed Gallery performance concerns involving dehydrated cloud files and large collections. Microsoft wrote: “Thumbnail loading performance for dehydrated cloud files and memory usage in large collections are known issues we are focused on improving.” The note describes Insider preview issues, not proof of a current problem in a released Windows build or evidence that iCloud Drive causes Gallery to crash.
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Microsoft’s June 14, 2023 notes for Insider Preview Build 23481 are also historical preview documentation. Neither preview note establishes a current iCloud-specific diagnosis or repair. Read the Build 23466 announcement and Build 23481 announcement in their original context.
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If File Explorer still crashes
If Explorer remains unreliable after Microsoft’s suggested steps, Microsoft directs users to submit feedback through Feedback Hub. Include the Windows build, iCloud for Windows version, the exact action that triggers the crash, and whether the issue occurs in Gallery, in the iCloud Drive folder, or while displaying photos. Those details help distinguish the symptoms without assuming iCloud Drive is the cause.
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