Windows 10: How to file imported photos in separate folders, in date order, automatically, on Windows...

I posed this question on 30 October 2023, when I started using a new Lenovo laptop computer running on Windows 11. The Import Photos and Video program had gone, back then. This meant that I had to manually file photos into the correct date, on File Explorer, which was frustrating. As of 10 March 2024, Import Photos and Videos app has returned to my computer - also known as Photo Gallery. So when I slotted a memory card into the computer, Import Photos and Videos app activated for the first time since I started using this computer back in October. Has Microsoft taken note of my remark that

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How to file imported photos in separate folders, in date order, automatically, on Windows 11? NOT HAPPY Import Photos and Videos is GONE!!

When my home computer was on Windows 8, I was able to use a program called Import Photos and Videos. This enabled me to load and file in date order, photos, and file them into folders which I could name, before import of the photos onto the computer. Since I converted to a new computer using Windows 11, Import Photos and Videos is no longer in use!! So I can load photos from a memory card, but the computer will no longer file them in date order, nor allow me to name the files before importation. It is very frustrating that Microsoft have taken away Import Photos and Videos!! Because now, after importation, I have to manually select photos to be filed, file photos via File Explorer, and manually move them into separate folders, and put them into date order, manually! I wish Microsoft did not take away Import Photos and Videos program. This is a step backwards for Windows 11!! From Patrick Lee, United Kingdom, 30 October 2023.

 

Photo import not saving in folders by month of date taken

Hi, I’m Nicole, I’ll be happy to help you out today.

If Photos is not sorting your imported photos into Year/Month folders based on the Date Taken attribute, you can try the following steps:

Open the Photos app on your computer.

Click on the "Settings" gear icon in the top right corner of the app.

Scroll down to the "Import" section and click on the "Advanced" link.

In the "Import Settings" dialog box, make sure that the "Group photos by time" option is selected.

Choose the "By month" or "By year" option from the drop-down menu.

Click on the "OK" button to save your changes.

Now, when you import your photos using the Photos app, they should be sorted into Year/Month folders based on the Date Taken attribute. If this does not work, you can try importing your photos using a different app or manually creating Year/Month folders in the Pictures folder and then dragging and dropping the photos into the appropriate folders

Additional

You can try the following steps to import your photos to the Pictures folder based on the date taken attribute:

Connect your memory card to your computer and open the Photos app.

Click on the Import button located at the top right corner of the app.

Select the memory card from the list of devices and folders that appear.

In the Import settings, select the option "Sort into folders by date" under the "Import to" section.

Click on the Import All button to start the import process.

This should create folders in the Pictures folder based on the date taken attribute of your photos. If this doesn't work, you can also try importing your photos using the File Explorer. Here's how:

Connect your memory card to your computer and open File Explorer.

Navigate to the folder containing your photos on the memory card.

Select all the photos you want to import and right-click on them.

Click on the "Copy" option from the context menu.

Navigate to the Pictures folder on your computer and right-click on an empty area within the folder.

Click on the "Paste" option from the context menu.

Windows should automatically create folders within the Pictures folder based on the date taken attribute of your photos.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Photo import not saving in folders by month of date taken

Sorry but...

Scroll down to the "Import" section and click on the "Advanced" link.

There is no "Import" section under settings therefore no Advanced

And...

Select the memory card from the list of devices and folders that appear.

There is no list of devices. It immediately starts searching for and indexing the memory card

Finally...

Windows should automatically create folders within the Pictures folder based on the date taken attribute of your photos.

It doesn't, it just dumps them all into the root of Pictures

For info:

Microsoft Photos 2022.30120.12007.0

© 2020 Microsoft Corporation