How to import photos onto PC and not onto OneDrive

Hi, Alexandra Welch

Welcome to the MicroSoft Community.

Here are the steps to import photos from your phone directly to your local PC without using OneDrive:

**Option 1: Using File Explorer**

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB cable.
2. On your phone, you might need to authorize the PC to access your device. Tap on ‘Allow’ or ‘Authorize’ when prompted.
3. On your PC, open ‘File Explorer’ (you can do this by pressing Windows Key + E).
4. In the File Explorer window, under ‘This PC’ or ‘My Computer’, you should see your phone listed as a connected device.
5. Click on your phone’s name, then navigate to the folder where your photos are stored (usually ‘DCIM’ or ‘Pictures’).
6. Select the photos you want to import, then copy them (Ctrl + C).
7. Navigate to the location on your PC where you want to store the photos, then paste them (Ctrl + V). Option 2: Using Windows Photos App If you still want to use the Photos app but don’t want to use OneDrive, follow these steps:
8. Plug in your phone to your PC.
9. Open the Photos app. You can do this by clicking the Start button, then typing ‘Photos’ and hitting Enter.
10. In the Photos app, click ‘Import’ at the top right corner, then select ‘From a USB device’.
11. The Photos app will detect your phone. Select it from the list.
12. You’ll be prompted to choose where to save your photos. Select ‘More options'.
13. Here you can select a new local folder on your PC where to save the photos. After selecting the folder, click ‘Done’.
14. Click ‘Next’ to proceed with the import. Please note the exact steps might vary a bit depending on the specific models of your phone and PC. If you encounter any issues, please provide the additional details.

Best Regards

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hello,

I am having a similar problem, but for the first method when I go into my phone on connected devices, there are no other files other than 'Internal storage' and there's nothing in that folder either. And with the second method, none of those options are showing up for me and I have Windows 11, there is no 'more options' button or anything like that function. Is there anything else I can do?

same with me both of those methods did not work for me. I don't want to pay for more cloud storage I just want to save my photos onto my computer in my local drive but for some odd reason, it is not letting me. Like it forcing me to pay for more storage. Is there any way to fix this

Hello,

Just had the same problem and figured it out.

When opening the Photos application on windows complete these steps to add a new file for your computer hard drive, for importing.

• locate folders on the left hand side under the three lines tab,
• left click Folders, add your desired folder there
• then go to import and your file will be there for selection