How to stop iCloud on Windows 10 from asking for password?

iCloud is a popular cloud storage and computing service from Apple. Apple had to develop a Windows application for PC users because they want as many people as possible to use their cloud service. The iCloud application is far from perfect and not as good as its counterpart on OS X, but that is to be expected. The iCloud application for PC is decent for the most part.

Nevertheless, users sometimes run into issues with the iCloud app. In this guide, we intend to examine a specific problem where the iCloud application keeps asking users to enter their passwords (even after successive entries).

Why is iCloud always asking for a password on Windows 10?

We believe iCloud’s continuous password demands are down to bugs or inconsistencies in the iCloud application on Windows. When the problem has nothing to do with irregularities in the program’s code, then it might be connected to iCloud servers being overwhelmed. Or even your internet connection setup might be responsible.

Most users sign in by entering their credentials, stay logged in for 10-15 minutes, and then they get a prompt asking them to re-enter the password for their accounts. This problematic event is quite frustrating and annoying.

We will now move on to show you how to get iCloud to stop asking for a password on a Windows PC. Here we go.

How to stop iCloud on Windows from asking for a password repeatedly

There are several things you might have to try to get iCloud to stop bothering you with password entry prompts. We advise that you go through the solutions in the order we outlined them below.

1. Do some research to check whether iCloud is down:

Before we walk you through complicated procedures to resolve the iCloud password request issue, we want you to conduct some research on the internet to find out whether iCloud is down. Perhaps, Apple’s server for the cloud service is overwhelmed, which means the iCloud application on your computer is malfunctioning because its link with the server is constantly getting broken.

Do this:

• Open your preferred web browser app. You can open the browser application by clicking on its icon on your taskbar or double-clicking on its shortcut on your desktop.

• Type Apple system status into the URL box or address field at the top of the window.

• Hit the Enter button on the device’s button to run a search task on Google using those keywords as the query.

• Once the Google results page comes up, you have to click on the first entry, which is usually Support – System Status – Apple.

You will be directed to the relevant page on Apple’s site now.

• Go through the applications and services listed. Check the statuses of iCloud entries.

If all the iCloud dependencies have the green dot, then everything is probably fine with iCloud.

You can go a step further and check websites that report downtimes for applications and services to see if other users are experiencing the same problem as you. If you find nothing that suggests that the same problem is manifesting itself on other people’s computers, then you must take that event as confirmation that the problem in your case is an outlier, which means you will have to do some work to make things right.

On the other hand, if you find other people with the same issue, then there is a good chance the problem is not from your end (but rather from Apple’s). Nevertheless, in such a scenario, since the issue is not widespread enough to come to Apple’s attention, you may want to contact Apple support to explain things to them. They will probably be able to assist you in some way.

2. Sign out and then sign back in:

You might be able to force through changes in the iCloud setup for your account to prevent the cloud service from asking for your password repeatedly by signing out of your account and then signing back in. Many users managed to resolve the problem by performing this task.

These instructions cover everything:

• First, you have to open the iCloud application on your computer and go to your profile or account settings.

• Click on the Sign out option. Wait for iCloud to sign you out.

• Now, you have to close the iCloud application and terminate other active programs.

• Restart your PC.

• Once your system comes up, you have to run the iCloud app and then sign in using your credentials.

• Now, you must stay around or use the iCloud application for as long as you can to see if the password prompt comes up like before.

If the password requests persist, then we recommend you sign out of iCloud on all platforms, especially on your mobile (iPhone), restart the devices involved, and then sign back into iCloud. After the comprehensive sign-out and sign-in operations, things are likely to get better.

3. Run iCloud as an administrator:

Here, we are assuming iCloud troubles with the repeated sign-in requests are down to its application process lacking certain permissions or rights to perform some tasks. Therefore, you will do well to run the iCloud application as an administrator to improve the outcomes for the program.

In Windows, when you run an application as an administrator, your system gets specific instructions to provide the application with top-level privileges. The application will then be able to do all it wants to do without restrictions, interruptions, or disruptions. iCloud might stop asking you for your password after its application gets more power to do its work.

These are the instructions you must follow to run iCloud as an administrator:

• First, you have to close the iCloud application and also verify that no instance of its process is running.

You have to confirm things in the Task Manager application. Continue with the steps:

• Open the Task Manager app. The Ctrl + Shift + Escape keyboard shortcut does the business here.

• Once the Task Manager window comes up, you have to go through the lists under the Processes tab.

• Check the entries under the Background processes tab to see if iCloud-related components are still active.

• If you find an iCloud element, you have to click on it to get it highlighted and then click on the End task button (around the bottom-right area of the Task Manager).

Windows will now work to terminate proceedings for the iCloud element.

• You might want to return to the list under Background processes. If you find any other iCloud element, you have to perform the same task on it to put it down.

• At this point, assuming you are done terminating all iCloud components, you have to close the Task Manager window.

• Go back to your desktop.

• Locate the iCloud shortcut and do a right-click on it to see the available context menu.

• From the list of options displayed, you must select Run as administrator.

• After the iCloud window comes up, you have to wait and observe things to see if the iCloud always asking for a password problem has been resolved for good.

If running iCloud as an administrator did enough to stop the cloud application from bringing up the disturbing password entry requests, then you will do well to configure your computer to always run iCloud as an administrator. The permanent change might be a bit risky because it requires you to grant full privileges to a third-party application for the foreseeable future (what looks like it is going to be a long time).

If you want to make the configuration permanent (to ensure your computer runs the iCloud application as an administrator always), then you have to go through these steps:

• Locate the iCloud shortcut, executable, or launcher and then do a right-click on it to see the available context menu.

• From the options that come up, you must select Properties.

The Properties window for the iCloud shortcut, launcher, or executable will be displayed now.

• Click on the Compatibility tab (to head there).

• Click on the checkbox for Run this program as an administrator to select this option.

• Click on the Apply button and then click on the OK button to save the new launch configuration for the iCloud application.

4. Check for software conflicts; uninstall problem-causing applications:

There are some apps known to disrupt or interfere with the operations executed by the iCloud application in Windows. The Outlook app is one such application. If you are using the Outlook client on your computer, then you may have to get rid of it to prevent iCloud from asking for a password.

If you cannot do without the Outlook application, then you must make changes to both Outlook and iCloud configurations to prevent them from coming into conflict with one another. Some users had to disable the syncing option in iCloud to stop iCloud’s persistent password demands. You might be able to resolve the problem in your case the same way. If things go well, you will not have to uninstall the Outlook application.

Try this:

• First, you have to open iCloud and sign in using your credentials.

After you get into iCloud using your account, you have to perform the next task quickly (or fast enough before iCloud asks you to enter your credentials again).

• Go to your account settings screen or profile configuration menu.

• Click on the checkbox for Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Tasks to deselect the option for these items.

• Click on the Apply button.

• Save the changes, close the iCloud application, and then restart your computer.

• Try to sign in to iCloud using your credentials and stay there for as long as you can to see if the password request prompt comes up again (like before).

If the changes you made to the iCloud configuration in the previous operation (above) failed to do enough to stop iCloud from disturbing you by asking to input your password, then you have to disable the iCloud add-on in the Outlook application. Perhaps, once the links between the Outlook app and iCloud application get broken, iCloud’s behavior will change for the better.

Try this:

• First, you have to open the Outlook application by clicking on the Outlook icon (which might be on your taskbar) or double-clicking on the Outlook shortcut (which is likely to be on your desktop).

• Once the Outlook window comes up, you have to click on File (the option situated around the top-left corner of the window).

• Assuming you are now on the File menu screen, you must look at the bottom-left corner of the window and then click on Options.

The Options window for Outlook will be displayed now.

• Look at the list on the left. Click on Add-ons.

• Now, you must look at the pane on the right to check whether the iCloud Outlook Add-in exists or not (under Active Application Add-ins).

• If you find the iCloud Outlook Add-in, you have to choose COM Add-ins for Manage (the parameter at the bottom of the window).

• Click on Go.

The COM Add-ins window will come up now.

• Click on the checkbox for iCloud Outlook Add-in to get this parameter deselected.

• Click on the OK button.

• Now, you must leave the Options menu and then close the Outlook app.

• Restart your PC.

• Fire up the iCloud application and then run the necessary tests to confirm that iCloud is no longer asking for a password.

If the same iCloud password issue persists, then you have to follow the same steps above to get to the COM Add-ins window where the iCloud Outlook Add-in is listed and then use the option to remove it. You will have to save the changes you made to the add-in setup for Outlook (if this step applies) and then restart your PC. And yes, here too, you still must run iCloud, sign in to the cloud service using your credentials, and then wait or observe the situation to see if things have changed for the better.

If you do not use the Outlook application, then you will do well to conduct some research to identify programs that come into conflict with iCloud.

In any case, once you identify the problem-causing application, you have to remove it through one of the standard uninstallation procedures. You can initiate the uninstallation task from the Apps screen in Settings or the Programs and Features screen in Control Panel, but (to get the best results), we recommend you do it through the latter. These are the steps you must follow to uninstall an application:

• Fire up the Run application using the Windows button + letter R keyboard shortcut.

• Once the small Run window or dialog comes up, you have to type cpl into the text box there.

• To force Windows to run the code, you have to hit the Enter button on your keyboard (or you can click on the OK button on the Run window for the same outcome).

You will end up on the Uninstall a program screen in the Control Panel application.

• Go through the list of apps, locate the problem-causing application, and then do a right-click on it to see the available menu list.

• Select Uninstall.

Your computer will now bring up the uninstaller or uninstallation wizard window for the problem-causing application.

• Click on the Next or Uninstall button (depending on what applies).

• Specify the appropriate parameters and follow the on-screen directions to uninstall the unwanted app.

• Once all the uninstallation processes reach completion, you have to restart your PC.

• Open iCloud (as usual). Use the application for as long as you can to see if the continuous password demands still bother you.

5. Run iCloud in compatibility mode for a different Windows build:

Here, we are assuming that iCloud code is not optimized well enough for the Windows (10) OS running on your computer. Well, this might explain the irregularities or discrepancies triggering the password prompt even when the demand makes no sense. If our assumption holds true, then your best bet to resolve the problem requires you to provide iCloud with a more optimized (or stable) Windows platform on which it gets to run.

When you run an app in compatibility mode for a particular Windows version or iteration, then your computer gets specific instructions to execute operations for the application process in an environment similar to the chosen Windows version. Windows emulates the selected OS iteration or tries to imitate its workings so that the application believes it is running in that operating system environment.

The vast majority of users who managed to resolve the iCloud asking for a password issue through the compatibility mode fix configured their computers to run iCloud in compatibility mode for Windows 7. Therefore, you have to use this Windows version (in particular) to see what results you get. If things do not work out with it, then you will have to try other Windows versions or iterations.

If you are using the iCloud application downloaded from the Microsoft Store, then the proposed procedure does not apply to you. You cannot run applications gotten from the Store in compatibility mode for older Windows builds. If you must use the fix here, then you have to uninstall the iCloud app obtained from the Microsoft Store first, restart your computer, fire up your web browser, go to the iCloud download page on Apple’s site, and then download and install the desktop iCloud application (legacy program).

Anyway, these are the instructions you must follow to run iCloud in compatibility mode for a different Windows build:

• First, you have to get to the Windows Start menu (by pressing the Windows button or clicking on the Windows icon on your desktop screen).

• Search for iCloud in the text box (that appears the moment you begin to type).

• Once iCloud (App) emerges as the main entry on the results list returned, you have to right-click on it to see the available context menu.

• Select Open file location.

You will now be directed to the iCloud installation folder (housing its files or entries) on a File Explorer window. The main iCloud executable will be highlighted (since you came to the location through it).

• Now, you must do a right-click on the highlighted iCloud executable to see the available menu options.

• Select Properties.

The Properties window for the chosen iCloud executable will be displayed now.

• Click on the Compatibility tab to head there.

• Click on the box for Run this program in compatibility mode for. Yes, you have to get this parameter selected first.

• Click on the drop-down menu under the relevant parameter to see the available options (different Windows versions and builds).

• Select Windows 7.

• Now, you must click on the Apply button and then click on the OK button to save iCloud’s new launch configuration.

• Now, you must go back to the Windows Start screen, search for iCloud, and then click on the iCloud entry to open the application.

• Sign in using your credentials (if necessary) and then wait to see what happens this time.

If the password demand issue persists, then you have to go through the same steps above to get to the Properties window, where you get to select the Windows version, choose another window iteration this time (you can choose Windows 8, for example), save the changes (by clicking on the Apply and OK buttons), and then run iCloud to test things again. You can repeat the same task while trying out as many Windows versions or iterations as possible until you stumble on the one that works well for you.

6. Use Command Prompt to resolve the socket error:

Here, we are assuming that your struggles with iCloud password demands are down to your internet connection setup being broken. Your computer probably failed to deal with a socket error, so you have to make things right on your own. You simply have to execute a particular command on an elevated Command Prompt window to resolve the error.

Do this:

• Press (and hold down) the Windows button on your device’s keyboard and then give the letter X button a tap.

• Once the apps and options that constitute the Power User menu come up, you have to click on Command Prompt (Admin) to open this program.

• You now have to click on the Yes button – if the User Account Control prompt comes up.

• Assuming you are now on the Command Prompt window, you have to type this command into the field there:

netsh winsock reset

• Hit the Enter button on your PC’s keyboard.

Windows will now perform the winsock reset task to force through changes in your internet setup. That will be all.

• Close the Command Prompt application and then restart your PC.

• Open iCloud and then run the relevant test to confirm that the repeated password request issue has been resolved.

TIP:

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Other things you can try to fix the iCloud always asking for a password problem on a Windows 10 computer

If you are yet to find a way to stop iCloud from bringing up password prompts repeatedly, then you have to try the solutions and workarounds on our final list of things to do.

7. Sign out of iCloud and then sign back in (everywhere):

Here, we recommend that you sign out of your iCloud account on all platforms (iPhones, iPads, Macs, PCs, and others) to ensure your iCloud account breaks all active links with Apple servers. You must now continue by signing in to your iCloud account on your PC (the platform on which you are struggling with the password request issue) and waiting for a while to see if the workings get stabilized. If things turn out fine, then you can sign in to your account on iCloud on other platforms.

8. Change your account password:

Some users managed to resolve the iCloud always asking for a password issue by simply changing their passwords (and allowing Apple to sign their accounts out everywhere besides the device where the password change request was made). We recommend you change your password on an Apple device (iPhone, preferably) and continue with your work there. You will then have to sign in to iCloud on your computer using the new password.

9. Do a clean boot; boot Windows into safe mode: Test things in the isolated OS environments or platforms.

10. Try another Apple ID or account.

11. Try old iCloud versions for Windows.

12. Use iCloud on your web browser (and stop using the application).

13. Stop using iCloud; Try a cloud service from a different firm (Google Drive, for example).