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Change what program manages iPhone photos on Windows 7?

When I plug in my Apple iPhone 4s into my Dell Windows 7 laptop, it automatically imports all the photos and videos into Windows Live Photo Gallery. It's driving me crazy! I don't want to use this particular program for managing my photos! How can I change it or, better, have Win7 simply ask me what to do when I hook up my iPhone?


Dave's Answer:

While the experience of using the iPhone with a Mac OS X system is remarkably smooth, tightly integrated through the central switching station of iTunes, on the PC it really is a different and less pleasant experience. Where do your contacts save on the PC? Where are your photos? What happens to videos?

We can't solve all the problems here in this one post, but when you ask about photo management for your iPhone pictures on your Windows 7 computer, well, you're opening up the proverbial can of worms.

With that in mind, go to the START menu and look for "AutoPlay" on the Control Panel menu:

windows 7 cd autoplay zune itunes wmp 1

Choose "AutoPlay" and scroll down on the window to find where it lists the Apple iPhone:

windows 7 iphone pictures import default 2

A click on "Choose a default" and you'll see all the standard options for photos and videos on your iPhone when you plug it into your Windows PC:

windows 7 iphone pictures import default 3

I like "Ask me every time", which produces the following prompt window every time Win7 sees the iPhone plug in:

windows 7 iphone pictures import default 4

If you have another choice you'd prefer from the menu, you can see it's easy to set. Click "Apply" to make sure it's saved in the system and the next time you plug in your iPhone 4s you'll be able to have a much better idea of what's going to happen to all those photographs!


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Categorized: Windows PC Help , iPhone and Cell Phone Help   (Article 10208, Written by )
Tagged: apple iphone 4s, digital photography, iphone camera, iphone photos, photo management, windows live photo gallery
Previous: Cancel an iTunes Store preorder from my iPhone?
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Reader Comments To Date: 1

Warren said, on January 30, 2013 4:19 PM:

Thanks, Dave! I had been searching for over an hour trying to figure out how to stop Windows from synching with my iPhone every time I hooked it up for a charge from the USB port. Awesome article and spot on.

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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