John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I have a CANON 6DmkII. I download images via. USB into Canons DPP V4. Or at least I used to.

Recently, and without any input from me they started to go to Microsoft Photos. I couldn't figure out why so eventually I removed all Canon software from the PC and reinstalled it. This worked - for a short while. Images downloaded into DPP, but after a small no. of downloads it reverted to Microsoft photos.

This is also happening with my G16 when I use it on the RAW setting. And I don't know why.

I've said before, I'm a bit of a PC numpty but it almost seems as if the Microsoft Photos senses whats going and overides. Any clues before I download and reload again?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Microsoft has large, sticky hands. It's hard to avoid dealing with MS.

micolh Loc: NYC

Mac is the solution.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Oh yes....

Win 11 has a "Pictures" folder, which is default for many things.
If I want to use a "Photos" folder in the root, it's a pain as Windows "Preference" is for the Pictures folder.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

If you can afford the higher prices of the Mac.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nah, I've no interest in a MAC whatsoever.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Try this. Remove the Canon software. When the Windows Photos screen comes up, close it. Open Windows File Explorer. Navigate to your device's photo folder, Copy the files you want, and Paste them into a folder of your making on your PC. I have an extra step. I Copy photos to a folder on my external drive, then Copy that folder and it’s contents to my PC.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Make a folder and download to it.
Has worked for me for decades.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Have you checked the “default” folder? It may list Microsoft Photos as the default for jpegs and/or RAWs?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The problem is just Microsoft making changes when you're not looking. You're too reliant on automation software, so when the automation changes, you're stuck with change.

When you connect the USB into the camera and turn it on, you can and should take complete control of the situation. You have some options, consider these:

1, Open Windows Explorer and 'view' the Camera's storage / card. Drag the images from the camera onto any desired target folder on the computer.

2, Assure you have the Canon EOS Utility 2 downloaded and installed. Start the EOS Utility software first, before connection the camera via the USB. This should make the EOS Utility the dominant software letting it do the copy of the images, possibly with file renaming and folder naming prompts.

3, Continue to let Photos copy the images by default. Again, use an Explore window to rename the folder and / or move the folder to the desired location.

4, Change the default actions in Windows when your camera is selected. See Settings / Device / AutoPlay. You find 'Settings' by right-clicking the Windows start icon on your task bar. Your EOS 6DII should be listed as an auto-play device. Click the dropdown box and check the available options. If DPP nor Canon EOS Utility are not available options, consider 'No Action' or 'Ask everytime' or 'Windows Explorer' for idea 1, above.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Are you running Windows 10 ?
Are you up to removing the app?

If so, here are the steps to uninstall the Photo app on a Win10 box.

Type Power Shell in the Search bar, right-click on Windows PowerShell and click on Run as administrator.

Type the following commands, press Enter key after each command, in the given order.

1. Get-AppxPackage
(This will view all the apps installed in your account.)

2. Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers
(This will view all Windows apps installed in the computer.)

3. Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Remove-AppxPackage
(This will remove/uninstall the Photo app.)

Restart the system and check.

There is currently a question on the MS forum for removing this from Win11 but it hasn't been answered yet -

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-uninstall-microsoft-photos-from-windows-11/8ea6a0bb-7653-45c5-9a9b-0bc5ec0e772c

Seems the uninstall option is greyed out in Win11.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right. Apple has no interest in taking control.

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

Hey John N, I had a similar issue with this unwanted/un-used app (it takes up memory as it capture the photos). I shoot with Fuji and edit in LR6 and don’t use the MS Photo app. This is a stubborn MS feature that creates it own folders. I suggest you empty/remove all of them because the app can restart (without notice, on its own).
Then follow these simple steps that MIGHT help you remove or stop the Window 11 MS Photo app:
-Click on the Windows icon at the far left of the taskbar
-Type "photos" in the search bar
-Right click on Photos app
-Left click on App Settings
-Scroll down to Background App Permissions
-Click on the Default "Power optimized (recommended)"
-Select "Never" from the slider or drop down menu
-Click TERMINATE application (to stop this function)
-Close window
-Reboot machine
You should check back to see if it has capture anymore photos and repeat this process.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I would suggest simply closing the Photos app when it opens and then use File Explorer.

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

Good idea....but in Windows 11 this app seems to never close....and will reopen if not Terminated (thank Microsoft