Why does Apple block access to my photos when my iPhone is connected to my PC?

Why can't I access my photos on my iPhone when I have it connected to my PC?

-I have icloud turned off. I don't like it and I do not want that service. Let alone do I want to pay for that!

-I have an Apple approved USB/lighting cable

-I have an updated Windows 10 PC

-My device trusts my PC

-I have the most miserable software ever on my PC .... itunes.

In file manager on my PC, I can see where the photos are stored. I can see that the files are pictures and when they were taken. But my phone will not let my computer have access to this content.

Your software is preventing me from accessing content on my iphone because I do not have an Apple computer.