Windows 10: Where is Microsoft Photos application "file-is-imported" status stored?

I recently migrated my Mac Photos Library from my Mac to my PC.

As I was not sure how to correctly import photos from my iPhone to the Microsoft Photos application or the Windows Picture Library, I experimented, importing several small groups of photos from my iPhone several times. Each import was to a temporary directory added to my Windows Picture Library. I deleted each temporary directory afterward.


As expected, when I attempt to import photos using the "Items since last import" feature from Microsoft Photos, photos that had been previously imported during my experiments are not selected for subsequent import.


For normal imports, this makes perfect sense, and is exactly what you would expect. However, as my first several imports were experimental, I want to "reset" the imported/not-imported status for these photos, so that I can import them to my actual Windows Picture Library.


So, where is the "import" status maintained? Is it stored as EXIF metadata in the picture files? Is it stored in some other meta file, e.g., in AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState?

Is there a spec or other documentation describing how photo imports are tracked by Windows? specifically from an iPhone 8 into Microsoft Photos


Thanks in advance.


Details:

Windows 10 Home version 2004 build 19041.685

Microsoft Photos 2020.20110.11001.0


Mac mini late 2009 running MacOS 10.11.6

Apple Photos application version 1.5 370.42.0

iPhone 8 on iOS 14.3

:)

 

Windows 10 Photos - Importing from iPhone no longer sees previously imported photos.

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community forum.

The Photos app in Windows 10 usually is able to distinguish the new photos and duplicates. This concern could be caused by incorrect settings or corrupted files. Kindly follow the below mentioned steps to resolve the issue.

Step 1: Reset Microsoft Store.

I would suggest you to reset Microsoft Store initially, and sign in to Store and check for latest updates related to Store. After installing the latest updates, you may try to import pictures.

Step 2: Uninstall Photos app via PowerShell and then install it.

If the Photos app causes an error, you can repair it using PowerShell.

• Click Start, type powershell, right-click Windows Powershell and choose
  Run as Administrator.
  

• Execute the following command and press
  Enter: Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
  

After uninstalling the Photos app, you may go to Store and re-install the application.

Additional Information: You may also go through the article provided by
Andre Da Costa on importing your
Photos in Windows 10

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Mala S

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

importing photos

Thank you for clearing that out. It looks like you are importing the files using the Photos app. When you import photos using this app, the files get imported into your Pictures library. To view these files, refer to these steps:

• Open File Explorer.
• On the list of folders on the left side of the window, click on Pictures. You shall see the photos imported from the SD card using the Photos app.

Another option you have is to import the files solely using File Explorer. Here's how you can do it:

• Connect the SD card into the computer.
• Launch File Explorer.
• Click on This PC.
• Locate your SD card under Devices and drives.
• Double-click on the SD card.
• Manually choose which photos to move into your local folders. Right-click on each photo and choose
  Copy (Ctrl + C) then go to the destination folder then right-click on an empty space in the window and select
  Paste (Ctrl + V).
• If you are importing all the photos, you can press Ctrl + A on the keyboard to select all of the files. Copy then Paste them into the destination folder.
• If you are importing selective photos, hold the Ctrl key while clicking on the photos you want to copy. This will let you choose a number of photos instead of selecting all of them like what Step 7 suggests.

Once you're able to get the hang of the tricks, importing photos will not be a challenge anymore.

Tell us which method works best for you.

We're here if you need more help.

 

importing photos

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



We understand the difficulties as you are unable to import pictures from your iPhone to the PC using Photos app.
In order to get clarity and to assist you accordingly, please reply with the answers to the questions below:

• What is the Windows 10 Version and Build installed? (Type
  winver in Windows search/Run command)?
  
• Which app/program are you using to import the photos?
  
• Did you try different USB cable to connect the iPhone?
  
• Does it happens on all the USB port on the PC?
  
• Were you able to import photos before using Photos app on the PC?

Meanwhile, we would suggest you to perform these steps if you are using
Photos app to import the pictures and check.



Step 1: Reset Photos App

1. Press Windows + I key to open Windows
   Settings.
   
2. Click on Apps and select
   Apps & feature from the left pane.
   
3. Scroll and look for the Photos app.
   
4. Select the app and click on Advanced
   option.
   
5. Click on Reset and once you see a
   tick mark, then relaunch and check.
   

Step 2:
Uninstall app using Power shell command

1. Press Windows + X key and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
   
2. Copy and paste this command, then press enter:
   Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | Remove-AppxPackage
   
3. Close the PowerShell command and restart the PC.
   
4. Reinstall the Photos app from Microsoft Store and check.
   

Regards,

Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator