is iphone designed to prevent easy import of photos to windows?

The iPhone is not designed to prevent the import of photos to Windows. However, as a Windows user, I can tell you that Windows 10 and their Photos app are designed to make it difficult. I've been using both for years, and I teach Windows at a community college. The removal of the standard import utility in Windows 7 when you upgrade to Windows 10 and their Photo app is what the problem is. Here is Apple's support document for importing photos, Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Now this is Microsoft's support document for importing photos from the iPhone to Windows 10. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027134/windows-10-import-photos-and-videos-from-phone-to-pc

I will tell you that one thing I have seen is that Windows 10 does not like a large number of photos and if you add in several videos, especially large ones, Windows seems to "get angry" and stop things. One thing I have found to make things easier for me is to first open Photos on the PC. Next, before connecting the lightning cable to the computer, connect it to the iPhone and unlock the screen. Make sure the screen remains unlocked and connect to the computer. Photos should recognize there is a USB device connected and it asks if you wish to import. Windows will attempt to detect the photos and then ask if you wish to continue. If you have not connected the two devices before, you will have to click on Trust on both devices. Good luck with that. I've actually purchased a MacBook Air to assist me in teaching Microsoft Office for Windows and Mac, and have started handling photos on my MacBook.

Hi Chris.

It is actually easier to copy photos to a Windows laptop than to a Mac.

Install iTunes on your laptop from the Microsoft Store.

Connect your iPhone to your computer. You will be prompted to trust your computer.

Your iPhone will show up in File Explorer in the same way that a USB key does.

You can copy your photos and videos from your iPhone to your computer.

This article should be helpful.

Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201302

Howard

Install iTunes. If it is already installed, update it to the latest version then try copying the contents of the dcim folder again.

Howard

I have no problems transferring photos from my iPhone to my PC ,,, BUT,,,, I can,t transfer photos from my PC to my iPhone. The only way I can ship photos to my iPhone from my PC is to email them to my iPhone. Go Figure.

Howard,

Thank you for reaching out. I know how to import photos, and have been doing so for years. I have iTunes installed, and know the drill. I'm just explaining what many other users have experienced, and what I've found is the easiest way to deal with it after using both systems.

I never experienced any issues with Windows XP, Vista, and 7. Microsoft screwed up the whole transfer when they updated to Windows 10 and removed their import utility.

Do you get an error message? I have only used the File Explorer copy method.

Ok.