Why SO many random DCIM Folders? I want ONE!

Sheryl34 wrote:

Or am I mistaken? Is there an easy, convenient way to get a copy of the entire iCloud photo archive downloaded to my PC?

Import photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your computer - Apple Support

Hi.

I agree that using Windows Explorer is not the correct way to copy images.

I've read

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

and it redirected me to

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-pictures-camera-computer

You said that it is not necessary copy all files, but I could not find any way to copy only the last photos. The link above has following text:

Why can't I choose which pictures or videos to import?

Windows detects your newest pictures and videos and doesn't import duplicate versions of older pictures or videos that you've already copied to your computer, so you can import your pictures and videos in a single step. You can then review and organize your pictures in the Pictures library.

I'm using Windows 7. Do you know how to copy a single image? When I use import wizard it copy all files. What am I doing wrong? I know that if it is not possible without using Itunes, it is Microsoft's fault, not Apple. I'm not complaining.

Thanks in advance.

I don't believe anyone has suggested using iTunes to transfer photos from your device ... if they did they don't understand. iTunes does not do this, never did.

What has been suggested are tools like:

• Adobe Photoshop Elements
• Google Picassa
• Microsoft Camera and Scanner Wizard
• Microsoft Office Picture Manager
• Microsoft Live Photo Gallery
• Apple iPhoto or (new) Photos

No one's saying to use only Apple software that I can see, much less iTunes.

Your method will help users find photos on their device, but what it will miss (as mentioned previously) are the "sidecar" edit tracking files which may exist if you edited the photo on your device.

Nice try, but your straw-man analogy is flawed. The can of beans I'm opening doesn't open with my standard, universal can opener. And it opens badly with Apple's add-on to my standard can opener.

This isn't rocket science, but let me try to take you through it.

1. People overwhelmingly use IOS for their smartphone, not Windows. (Android dwarfs both).
2. People overwhelmingly use Windows for their desktop/laptop, not IOS. (something like 91% versus 7%)
3. People overwhelmingly use the File Explorer built into Windows to access and manage files on their PC.
4. People overwhelmingly access their USB photo-storing devices by plugging it into the PC and opening File Explorer.
5. Apple chose not to make their IOS devices work with built-in Windows drivers.
6. Apple specifically spent the time and money to make a Windows driver for their IOS devices, but chose not to make it display/index the files with the same file structure as the device.

Conclusion: Apple decided not to make IOS devices and their Windows drivers friendly with how people overwhelming use their device with their PC.

Translated into your analogy: Apple expects me to get their can opener (or modify my can opener) to open a can from Apple, even though the overwhelming majority of people use my standard can opener to successfully open the overwhelming majority of cans.

Yes, we know it's possible. I provided two alternatives myself. But we shouldn't have to bother.

Csound1 wrote:

Apple expects that you will use software compatible with their services, if you do not wish to why use them at all? I am sure that Windows phones work the way you want to work.

Ugh, the fallacies keep coming. Yours is called "false dilemma".

1. Apple's Windows driver is their own software intended to be used with their devices. Should Apple software be compatible with Apple devices?
2. Apple does not "expect" anyone to use Apple for everything. They might prefer it, but they don't expect it. I already explained above how Apple mobile devices are far more popular while Windows PCs dominate the desktop/laptop market. There is no reason why they shouldn't work well together for this simple purpose.
3. I use an iPhone and a Windows PC because they have apps, tools, and features that a Windows phone or Mac doesn't have. And the marketplace overwhelmingly feels the same. (Of course, I prefer Android over either, but my wife wanted an iPhone, so that's what we got.)

drume wrote:

Csound1 wrote:

Apple expects that you will use software compatible with their services, if you do not wish to why use them at all? I am sure that Windows phones work the way you want to work.

Ugh, the fallacies keep coming. Yours is called "false dilemma".

1. Apple's Windows driver is their own software intended to be used with their devices. Should Apple software be compatible with Apple devices?
2. Apple does not "expect" anyone to use Apple for everything. They might prefer it, but they don't expect it. I already explained above how Apple mobile devices are far more popular while Windows PCs dominate the desktop/laptop market. There is no reason why they shouldn't work well together for this simple purpose.
3. I use an iPhone and a Windows PC because they have apps, tools, and features that a Windows phone or Mac doesn't have. And the marketplace overwhelmingly feels the same. (Of course, I prefer Android over either, but my wife wanted an iPhone, so that's what we got.)

So what, your choice is to use the wrong tool, no need to obfuscate that,

How's that choice working out for you?

tab1075 wrote:

...They all get their own folder according to the month the photos were taken. I have 46 sub-folders within the DCIM consisting of 46 separate months that those photos were taken.

Unfortunately, it doesn't stay that way. A new folder can be generated by a number of factors, including:

• photo numbering past a new set of thousands (or past 9999)
• saving a photo from a message or email.
• modifying photos
• deleting photos
• etc, etc, etc

I feel your pain on this, especially since the examples above aren't consistent, so it's very hard to predict when iOS will decide it wants a new folder. But right now Apple takes Lawrence's attitude that "there is no need". ...except that so many people are screaming for it. ...and the fact that Windows File Explorer is the single most commonly used file management tool. ...on the most common operating system. But hey, no need, right?

Import them, then delete the DCIM folders.

I have 673 photos saved on my phone and 29 DCIM folders. Each folder has any where from 1 to 90 some files.

ACtually, I was referring to the use of the word RESTRICTIONS in Csound1's post.... Don't worry! You have made me a believer in Android! I believe this horse is now TRULY dead!! End of posts!

There are many reasons why the iPhone will create additional DCIM folders. After a certain number of photos, it may create a new folder. Or if a different app is used to take the photos, it may create a new DCIM folder.

Also, you can sync photos from your computer to your iPhone using iTunes. So after you've cleared up the folders, you can sync selected ones back using iTunes.

I'm well aware of what you put in your post. Did you see that I also stated that "There are many reasons why the iPhone will create additional DCIM folders", and that one other example is a third-party app?

I've given you a reasonable procedure to attempt that will not cause you to lose any data. If you don't want to try it, fine.

hi i also have the same problems here. i have iPhone 4s 8gb, that means i have to empty photos to my computer PC when i have so many now on my iPhone. Problem is when i checked yesterday on my lap top to transfer some photo i could not believe how many folders i had to look into to get the latest photo to my PC. i have 44 folders with photos which is too many to scan for one photo or any latest ones. I tried to to copy the whole DCIM to my pc but it only gave me 12 folders of 44. This is really a problem, not practical and annoying. Apple should reconsider that decision.

Desmadona: found a solution yet? I have the same problem, when I connect my iPhone to my computer, the photo library appears as 41 randomly named folders where there used to be just two, one for videos and one for photos. The photos are almost sorted into the folders by image number, but not quite: one folder contains photos more than 1000 picture numbers apart. Some folders have only 1 photo, the largest I've found so far has 108. Some folders have only photos, where others have both photos and one or more mysterious items called "Local Disk", which can't be opened. One folder has 59 photos and 26 "Local Disk" items. Worst of all, I can't find the pictures I took 5 minutes ago; there's no way to tell which randomly-named folder has the most recent photos. This makes the phone's camera almost useless because if I can't find pictures I've just taken, I can't copy them onto the computer to edit, crop, resize and e-mail. I think this problem started with iOS 8.1.2.