Extracting images from wherever WhatsApp put them on my PC


Sigurd

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The family use WhatsApp to share life as much as we can now that we are scattered across the country. The result is a lot f photos on WhatsApp. I use my PC for WhatsApp more than my phone. I did once find how to find them on my PC and move them to my image folders but I have forgotten how I did it. I did find a YouTube video which led me to the folders on AppsData but it did make heavy weather of it.
Whats the simplest way of doing this? They are much easier to sort on my graphics disk. The ideal would be to change the default folder used by WhatsApp if that is possible.
 

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Use WhatsApp on your PC and right-click the image you want to save.

 

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Ian, hi..

There are a couple of ways you could do this, I think.
But at a certain point it apparently gets tricky/messy, using the File Explorer search function could save you from going batty looking for the images.

Navigate to (from what I have learned just now):
“C:\users\*ProfileName*\AppData\Local\Packages\(here is the tricky part)Random Numbers\WhatsApp Desktop\LocalState”

1. The first thing you could try is:
In File Explorer, stop at “C:\users\*ProfileName*\AppData\Local\Packages\”
Then in the top right of File Explorer, search for “WhatsApp” you hopefully should see a WhatsApp folder in the results and then search within there.
I think the folder is called “WhatsApp Desktop”
From in there you will need to look around for images or use the second method below when you enter the WhatsApp folder.

2. The second method you could try is navigate to and stop at:
“C:\users\*ProfileName*\AppData\Local\Packages\”
Then in the top right of File Explorer, search for the following term:

*.jpg

( * is a wildcard meaning any, so “anyname.jpg” )
All files with the extension .jpg will be found in the result.
Select all, copy, paste to a location you want.

I am not sure of a default way to create a new file destination.
 
Last edited:

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If the second method works, you could end up with some random system .jpg files. This shouldn’t be a problem because they are all probably under 20 or 30KB. So sorting the images by filesize after you cut or copy and past all .jpg images from the result to another folder, should help you sort and delete unwanted images, like icons possibly.

Or you could possibly search by filesize before you cut or copy and paste.

Alternatively you could use the first method and then search for images, less of a chance of unwanted .jpg files.

(First post method 1. edited)
 

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I can't find the folder on my PC but the same photos that I received are on my phone. If you open Files and select Images you can scroll right to find 'WhatsApp Images'. Then, with the three dots menu in top-right you can 'select all' and then 'Move' to a new folder of your choice or upload them to Google Drive from where you could download to your PC.
 

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The method I use is to drag and drop the WhatsApp images direct from my phone into my computer into any location I choose. That way I am always in control of where they are on my computer.
I do this using MyPhoneExplorer Client on my smartphone and the MyPhoneExplorer app on my computer. This app lends itself to selecting the WhatsApp photos on my phone and copy/pasting them to PC. I found that Phone Link is not good at allowing photos to be selected.


I should add that MyPhoneExplorer is free but does ask for a donation, which I paid as it is so good. I have no vested interest in MyPhoneExplorer. I am just a very satisfied user.

The location of photos on my phone are as shown on photo so they are easy to find.

Phone file locations 2.png
 

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Open File Explorer and search for IMG*WA*.jpg

I have indexing turned off but I use a program called Everything to do this search. It found all my WhatsApp photos.

Select all and then move or copy to a folder of your choice.

1718124227576.png
 
Last edited:

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My previous post does find all the photos but they are about 500KB, so not full size. They are compressed but full size in pixels. They look ok to me for family shots etc.
 
Last edited:

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I also agree with @FreeBooter . You can drag photos direct from the PC WhatsApp UI and drag them anywhere you want on your PC.
To copy a lot of photos you can select the first photo and then press Shift key while you select the last photo. All the photos in-between the two selections will be selected and all will be dragged onto your PC in one drag operation.
 

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    Intel Arc 140T onboard graphics
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    1920 x 1200 (16:10 WUXGA resolution) OLED Touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
I also agree with @FreeBooter . You can drag photos direct from the PC WhatsApp UI and drag them anywhere you want on your PC.
To copy a lot of photos you can select the first photo and then press Shift key while you select the last photo. All the photos in-between the two selections will be selected and all will be dragged onto your PC in one drag operation.
But how do you find them on a PC? It's very difficult to find all photos in WA. My method, above, works better.

Also, they are not in the folder where most websites tell you to look.
 
Last edited:

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Look inside C:\Users\Siguard\AppData\Local\Packages\5319275A.WhatsAppDesktop_cv1g1gvanyjgm\LocalCache\Roaming folder.

You will find various folders below containing different files. So, go through each folder and see what is contained in it.

Code:
C:\Users\Siguard\AppData\Local\Packages\5319275A.WhatsAppDesktop_cv1g1gvanyjgm
 

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Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 5700GMicron Technology DDR4-3200 16GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
OS
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Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard
Erica6
Memory
Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
Sound Card
Realtek ALC671
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
Open File Explorer and search for IMG*WA*.jpg

I have indexing turned off but I use a program called Everything to do this search. It found all my WhatsApp photos.
Yes, it works. I tried it using File Explorer and it found 259 WA photos I know I had deleted going way back to May 2020. Did you find the same?

A WA desktop privacy issue: WA desktop is still using storage space (only 22MB) I thought I had regained by deleting unwanted WA messages and photos. For example, I see photos of my wife's friend's family in Canada who are of no interest to me at all but it could also be embarrassing photos you had deleted from WA and do not want them to be discoverable.
It is as well to know that this extra step is needed to fully remove unwanted WA photos from one's PC so thanks for the search term IMG*WA*.jpg.

Observations:
a) That 'Everything' app you mentioned is far superior to File Explorer. Very fast.
b) Some of the photos found were too small to be of any practical use. Only 4KB.

A side issue: The search of C: using File Explorer took quite a while and was very CPU intensive with fan on full speed and caused the mouse cursor to freeze for a while
 
Last edited:

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    ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED 14" Laptop - UX3405CA-QL192W
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 - 255H processor
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Arc 140T onboard graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 (16:10 WUXGA resolution) OLED Touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
Ian, hi..

There are a couple of ways you could do this, I think.
But at a certain point it apparently gets tricky/messy, using the File Explorer search function could save you from going batty looking for the images.

Navigate to (from what I have learned just now):
“C:\users\*ProfileName*\AppData\Local\Packages\(here is the tricky part)Random Numbers\WhatsApp Desktop\LocalState”

1. The first thing you could try is:
In File Explorer, stop at “C:\users\*ProfileName*\AppData\Local\Packages\”
Then in the top right of File Explorer, search for “WhatsApp” you hopefully should see a WhatsApp folder in the results and then search within there.
I think the folder is called “WhatsApp Desktop”
From in there you will need to look around for images or use the second method below when you enter the WhatsApp folder.

2. The second method you could try is navigate to and stop at:
“C:\users\*ProfileName*\AppData\Local\Packages\”
Then in the top right of File Explorer, search for the following term:

*.jpg

( * is a wildcard meaning any, so “anyname.jpg” )
All files with the extension .jpg will be found in the result.
Select all, copy, paste to a location you want.

I am not sure of a default way to create a new file destination.
Use a Junction? Put the folder somewhere else and create a link to it
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (RP channel)AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core64GB Corsair Titanium 6000/CL30MSI Suprim 5080 SOC
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (RP channel)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core
Motherboard
MEG X870E Godlike
Memory
64GB Corsair Titanium 6000/CL30
Graphics Card(s)
MSI Suprim 5080 SOC
Sound Card
Soundblaster AE-9
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS TUF Gaming VG289Q
Screen Resolution
3840x2160
Hard Drives
Samsung 9100 Pro 4TB (gen 5 x4, system drive/games)
Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
Samsung 980 Pro 2TB
Samsung 870 Evo 4TB
Samsung 870 Evo 2TB
Samsung T9 4TB
PSU
Seasonic PX-2200
Case
Bequiet! Dark Base Pro 901
Cooling
Noctua NH-D15S Chromax black
Keyboard
Logitech G915 X (wired)
Mouse
Logitech G903 with PowerPlay charger
Internet Speed
900Mb/sec
Browser
Microsoft Edge
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Yes, it works. I tried it using File Explorer and it found photos I know I had deleted going way back to May 2020. Did you find the same?
No, all mine were recent because I had uninstalled WhatsApp and reinstalled.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics16GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic LX15PRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics
    Motherboard
    BIOS CT_BI_AMI_LX15PRO_AB8139_A-004
    Memory
    16GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 2TB
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete beta
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506Atom N450 1.66GHz2GB
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot
  • Acer Swift SF114-34 laptop
    OS Windows 11 Pro 26200.8894
    CPU Pentium Silver N6000
    RAM 4GB
    BIOS v1.17
    SSD Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB (an upgrade)
This is what I do

I have WhatsApp on my desktop.

1) click on the video or picture
2) click on the hamburger top right
3) Save as
4) Save to folder on your computer
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 11 ,Ubuntu Cinnamon - for tinkering onlyIntel i51140016 GB0
OS
windows 11 ,Ubuntu Cinnamon - for tinkering only
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
No Name - Assembled by a Compute shop in a Strip Mall.
CPU
Intel i511400
Motherboard
ASUS PRIME B560-PLUS motherboard
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
0
Sound Card
0
Monitor(s) Displays
25 in BenQ
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
9 SSDs 4 Nvme, 2 in M.2 slot and 2 in PCIE with adapter + 5 Sata. DVD drive
PSU
600w
Case
Antec- VSK4000E-U3 Mid Tower
Internet Speed
Bell pure fibre optic. 3 GB package. 6E Wireless adapter 750/500
Browser
Firefox, Microsoft Edge
Antivirus
Defender
@kelper - At least we are aware of the need to do a periodic search for unwanted WA photos now so that's a good outcome. :-)
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProAMD Ryzen 9 8945HS32GB DDR5 SO-DIMMIntegrated AMD Radeon 780M (4.00 GHz)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    GMKtec K11
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 SO-DIMM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated AMD Radeon 780M (4.00 GHz)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 2250HM
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeIntel® Core™ Ultra 7 - 255H processor16 GB LPDDR5 SDRAMIntel Arc 140T onboard graphics
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED 14" Laptop - UX3405CA-QL192W
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 - 255H processor
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Arc 140T onboard graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 (16:10 WUXGA resolution) OLED Touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
This is what I do

I have WhatsApp on my desktop.

1) click on the video or picture
2) click on the hamburger top right
3) Save as
4) Save to folder on your computer
That is understood, but he has hundreds of photos and so that is not practicable.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics16GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic LX15PRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics
    Motherboard
    BIOS CT_BI_AMI_LX15PRO_AB8139_A-004
    Memory
    16GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 2TB
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete beta
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506Atom N450 1.66GHz2GB
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot
  • Acer Swift SF114-34 laptop
    OS Windows 11 Pro 26200.8894
    CPU Pentium Silver N6000
    RAM 4GB
    BIOS v1.17
    SSD Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB (an upgrade)
My wife had many images from whatsApp

I connected the android phone to the computer USB slot. I had to change USB settings to "file transfer".

The phone is now visible in "This PC"

The whatsApp folder is buried with all the images and videos

This PC\moto g(9) play\Internal shared storage\Android\media\com.whatsapp\WhatsApp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 11 ,Ubuntu Cinnamon - for tinkering onlyIntel i51140016 GB0
OS
windows 11 ,Ubuntu Cinnamon - for tinkering only
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
No Name - Assembled by a Compute shop in a Strip Mall.
CPU
Intel i511400
Motherboard
ASUS PRIME B560-PLUS motherboard
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
0
Sound Card
0
Monitor(s) Displays
25 in BenQ
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
9 SSDs 4 Nvme, 2 in M.2 slot and 2 in PCIE with adapter + 5 Sata. DVD drive
PSU
600w
Case
Antec- VSK4000E-U3 Mid Tower
Internet Speed
Bell pure fibre optic. 3 GB package. 6E Wireless adapter 750/500
Browser
Firefox, Microsoft Edge
Antivirus
Defender
My wife had many images from whatsApp

I connected the android phone to the computer USB slot. I had to change USB settings to "file transfer".

The phone is now visible in "This PC"

The WhatsApp folder is buried with all the images and videos

This PC\moto g(9) play\Internal shared storage\Android\media\com.whatsapp\WhatsApp
Yes, but he is trying to organise the WhatsApp images ON HIS PC, not those on his PHONE!

Please read post #1.
 
Last edited:

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics16GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic LX15PRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with Radeon Graphics
    Motherboard
    BIOS CT_BI_AMI_LX15PRO_AB8139_A-004
    Memory
    16GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD 2TB
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete beta
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506Atom N450 1.66GHz2GB
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Webroot
  • Acer Swift SF114-34 laptop
    OS Windows 11 Pro 26200.8894
    CPU Pentium Silver N6000
    RAM 4GB
    BIOS v1.17
    SSD Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB (an upgrade)

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