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Save Photos Library to external drive to connect to Windows PC

I want to save/make copy of my Photos Library to an external HD which I would give to my son so he can connect to his Windows PC and use Microsoft Media photos viewer (or whatever it is called) to view these photos. Can this be done? I use all current versions of MAC OS and Photos, on a 2017 21" iMac. All photos are saved on the iMac in the Photos Library.photoslibrary

It is large - 140gb.

I do also have all photos synced to my iCloud, but I have Photos preferences selected to "download originals to this Mac", thus the large file on this iMac.


Can I just make a copy of the library onto the ext HD, or must I do something like: select all, then drag them onto the ext hd, or some version of that step?


Thanks for any advise.

iMac 21.5" 4K, macOS 10.14

Posted on Apr 19, 2019 6:46 AM

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The Photos Library itself is a package, that is not very user friendly for browsing.

I would create a folder on the external drive and then select the photos in your Photos Library and use the command "File > Export > Export ... photos".

  • In the export dialog select the original image size and a high JPEG quality. Use "Subfolder Format: Moment Name". Then the photos will be saved to subfolders named by the date and the location and will be easier to find.
  • Select the new folder on the external drive as the destination.

The external drive will need a file system format that both the Mac and the windows PC can read and write. Use a drive with the format exFat, for example.




Posted on Apr 19, 2019 7:56 AM

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Question marked as Best answer

Apr 19, 2019 7:56 AM in response to new-to-apple

The Photos Library itself is a package, that is not very user friendly for browsing.

I would create a folder on the external drive and then select the photos in your Photos Library and use the command "File > Export > Export ... photos".

  • In the export dialog select the original image size and a high JPEG quality. Use "Subfolder Format: Moment Name". Then the photos will be saved to subfolders named by the date and the location and will be easier to find.
  • Select the new folder on the external drive as the destination.

The external drive will need a file system format that both the Mac and the windows PC can read and write. Use a drive with the format exFat, for example.




Apr 19, 2019 1:10 PM in response to léonie

Thanks, I tested this with only 10 photos and it worked; that is, it exported to the external HD after I formatted it in exFAT - thanks for that tip, too. I won't be able to connect the HD to a Windows machine until later, to see what happens with a Microsoft program. But I wonder why my Export screen doesn't look like the one you posted. It has me wondering if I'm up to date on the Photos app; it shows as Version 4.0 (3441.7.100) Copyright 2017


I have


and the Photos Export box is :



Save Photos Library to external drive to connect to Windows PC

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