I have a great workaround using a saved search instead of iTunes.
Requirements
- Apple mobile device (duh)
- PC with Windows 8.1 (though these instructions can be tweaked for earlier versions)
- iTunes installed, OR install device support without iTunes by downloading the official iTunes installer, extracting it with 7zip or WinRAR, and then installing AppleApplicationSupport64.msi followed by AppleMobileDeviceSupport6464.msi (assuming a 64-bit version of Windows).
Instructions to create the saved search - Connect your Apple device to your PC (wired connection).
- Open File Explorer.
- Double-click your Apple device, then "Internal Storage", then "DCIM".
- In the upper-right Search window, type * (just the asterisk) and hit enter.
- In the top menu, select View > Details (in the Layout section).
- Click the arrow next to the "Type" column header. Check all types except "File Folder" and "Local Disk".
- In the top menu, select View > Large Icons (in the Layout section).
- In the top menu, select View > Sort By > Date modified.
- In the top menu, select View > Sort By > Descending. (for most recent first)
- In the top menu, select Search > Save Search. In File name, type a saved search name. Since you may have more than one Apple device, I strongly suggest using the device name, such as "Bob's iPhone 6 Search". You will have to repeat this process to make an individual saved search for each Apple device.
From now on, when you open File Explorer, the Navigation Pane on the left will list your saved search under both "Favorites" and "This PC". Just select it whenever you want to see your Apple devices contents. Woo hoo!