# How to preview and save photos and files on Windows

## Quick answer

In a conversation:

1. Click the photo, or **Preview** on a file.
2. Press **Left** or **Right** to see the others.
3. Press **Ctrl+S** to save a copy.
4. Press **Esc** to close.

## What you need

- TextPort for Windows, with a conversation open

## Steps

1. Click the photo or **Preview**

   Click a photo, a video, or **Preview** on a file. It opens over the conversation.

2. Click the arrows to see the others

   They are on the left and right sides. They go through every photo and file in this conversation.

   Tip: You can also press **Left** and **Right**.

3. Click a button at the top

   **Save a copy…**, **Copy**, **Open**, or **Open with…**. Point at a button to see its name.

   Tip: On a photo you can also zoom with the buttons to the left of them.

4. Press **Esc** to close

   Or click **Close** at the top right. The conversation shows again.

## Done

You saw the photo or file. Any copy you saved is the original file.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **Not in this backup** | This file wasn't in the iPhone's backup. Files kept only in iCloud aren't included. |
| **Still backing up** | It appears when the backup is done. See [Read messages while the backup runs](https://textport.com/guides/read-messages-while-the-backup-runs-on-windows.md). |
| **Can’t show this photo** | Click **Preview**. Then click **Open with…** or **Save a copy…**. |
| **Windows can’t play this file. Open it with another app, or save a copy.** | Click **Open with…** to pick another app. Or click **Save a copy…**. |
| **This file is too large to preview. Open it with another app, or save a copy.** | Click **Open with…** or **Save a copy…**. |
| **Couldn’t open the file** | No app on this PC opens this kind of file. Click **Save a copy…**. Install an app that opens it. |
| None of these match. | Email [support@textportapp.com](mailto:support@textportapp.com). Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day. |

## Questions

### How do I save without opening the preview?

Right-click the empty space next to the message. Click **Save original…**.

### Do saved photos keep their quality?

Yes. **Save a copy…** and **Save original…** save the original file.

### How do I save every photo at once?

Save them as a ZIP. See [Save photos and attachments as a ZIP](https://textport.com/guides/save-photos-and-attachments-as-a-zip-on-windows.md).

### Can I drag a photo out?

Yes. Drag it from the conversation to a folder.

## Next guides

- [How to save photos and attachments as a ZIP on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/save-photos-and-attachments-as-a-zip-on-windows.md): You will have a ZIP file on your PC with the original photos, videos, and files from one conversation.
- [How to copy a message or go to a reply on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/use-the-message-menu-on-windows.md): You will copy a message with its date and sender, find the message a reply answers, and see who is in a group.

TextPort guide for Windows. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/preview-photos-and-files-on-windows