OneDrive File Issues

How to Transfer Photos from Windows Phone 8.1 to a Windows 10 PC

Emma Brown Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to transfer photos and videos from a Nokia Lumia 928 to a Windows 10 computer because the native OneDrive app has stopped syncing.

Insert picture from file in WPS Presentation

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows Phone 8.1
Scenario: Transferring media files from an unsupported mobile device to a modern computer.
Observed behavior: The native OneDrive app on Windows Phone 8.1 fails to sync or access files due to the operating system reaching its end of support.

Before you start

Ensure you have a compatible USB data cable and make sure your Windows Phone is turned on and unlocked before connecting it to your computer.

Solution 1Recommended

Transfer Photos Directly Using a USB Cable

Since OneDrive is no longer supported on Windows Phone 8.1, using a direct wired connection is the fastest and most reliable method to move your files.

Connect the phone to your PC

Plug your Nokia Lumia or Windows Phone 8.1 device into your Windows 10 PC using a USB data cable.

Access the device in File Explorer

Open File Explorer on your Windows 10 PC (Windows Key + E) and look for your phone's name under 'This PC'.

Locate and copy your photos

Navigate to the 'Pictures' or 'DCIM' folder within the phone's internal storage, select the photos you want to transfer, right-click, and choose 'Copy'.

Paste to your computer

Go to a folder on your Windows 10 PC, such as 'Pictures', right-click an empty space, and select 'Paste' to save the files locally.

Keep Device Unlocked: Keep your phone's screen unlocked during the transfer process to ensure the PC can read the internal storage without interruption.

Solution 2

Upload Photos via the OneDrive Website

If you cannot use a USB cable, you can attempt to bypass the unsupported app by uploading files directly through the web browser.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Present Your Transferred Photos with WPS Office

After successfully transferring your files from your Windows Phone to your PC, use WPS Office to create stunning presentations or photo-rich documents. It is a lightweight, fully compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download WPS Office Free and install it on your Windows 10 PC.
2. Create a New Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation to start a new slideshow project for your photos.
3. Insert Your Photos: Click the 'Insert' tab, select 'Picture', and navigate to the folder where you saved your Windows Phone photos to add them to your slides.

Seamlessly insert transferred photos into documents, spreadsheets, and presentations100% compatible with Microsoft Office formats like DOCX, XLSX, and PPTXFree, lightweight suite that runs smoothly on any Windows 10 PCFamiliar user interface for quick and easy document creation

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did OneDrive stop syncing on my Windows Phone 8.1?

Windows Phone 8.1 officially reached its end of support on July 11, 2017. Microsoft no longer provides software updates or bug fixes for this operating system, which causes background services like native OneDrive syncing to fail.

Are the photos I previously synced to OneDrive still safe?

Yes. Any files that successfully synced to your OneDrive account before the app stopped working are securely stored in the cloud. You can view and download them by logging into onedrive.com from any modern device.

What should I do if my Windows 10 PC doesn't recognize my phone via USB?

Make sure your Windows Phone is powered on and unlocked when connected. If the PC still does not recognize it, try using a different USB data cable or plugging the device into a different USB port on your computer.

Document & File Issues