How do I change the Photos destination location in Windows 11 when importing photos from an iPhone 16?

Anonymous
2025-01-25T22:43:55+00:00

How do I change the Photos destination location in Windows 11 when importing photos from an iPhone 16? The default is onedrive which I do not want to use. I want to import to my Pictures folder on the C:drive. I have not found a way to change it. Thanks. I've also tried Photos Legacy but after it seemingly accessed the photos on the iPhone, the app closes.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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Manoel Barros 22,050 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-01-27T23:30:07+00:00

I did some tests on my personal computer and found out how you can do this easily.

  1. First add your Pictures folder. Open File Explorer (WINDOWS + E) > Click on Gallery > Click on "Collection" in the top menu > Manage Collection.
  2. Click on Add > Add your Pictures folder or any other folder you want. Click OK.
  3. Close and Open the Photos app > The folder you added will be there. When you import your pictures, the folder will appear.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-26T15:23:47+00:00

    Thanks for your reply. I am not trying to change the destination folder of any user folder; I am trying to change the destination folder in the Photos app. It does not let me change it from the C:\user\myxxx\OneDrive\Pictures.

    When I followed your directions, it wants to MOVE what's in the OneDrive\Pictures folder to the folder I picked, which is my Pictures folder on my C: drive. I do not want to do this. I simply want to import my iPhone photos directly to a folder of my choice on my C:drive., and NOT to the unchangeable (evidently default) OneDrive\Pictures folder in the Photos app. Nor do I want to import them to iCloud.

    I would think this would be a simple matter, but I guess not or I'm missing something simple.

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  2. Manoel Barros 22,050 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-01-26T01:26:15+00:00

    Hello! I'm Manoel Barros!

    To change the destination location of any user folder, do this:

    1. Open Explorer Files (WINDOWS + E) > In the Left Tab, right-click on "Pictures" folder > Properties > Location.
    2. Click on Move > Choose the destination localtion

    You can also use iCloud to store your photos. You can choose iCloud as the destination location for the Pictures folder.

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