Transfer photos from IPad to PC

I was attempting to transfer photos from my iPad to my PC. The solution using iCloud Photos did not work because iCloud was enabled on my iPad (but not all photos have been transferred). So .... I have to upload all of my photos to iCloud and then (I hope) download from there to the PC. Problem is:

It is taking FOREVER to upload the photos, and I understand that it may also take forever to download again to the PC once I get them into iCloud.

I am not understanding why this takes so blasted long with Apple. Makes no sense whatsoever.

I have and Android phone as well and was able to attach it directly to the computer via USB and then very simply select all of the photos and copy them to my Pictures folder. The whole process took about 3 minutes to transfer hundreds of photos and videos. My photos are also stored in Google Photos and appear there instantaneously.

So Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy .... there has to be a better way!

I know that I had done this much more simply a few years ago so I don't know what has changed (although I cannot now tell you how I did it before).

The iCloud Windows app would not install on my PC which is running Windows 10. Says to reboot and try again! and again! and again! just doesn't work. As an aside, I find the iTunes app to be as equally frustrating to use.