I’ve never used it myself, but several members have recommended iMazing in the past. It’s an alternative to running iTunes in Windows to manage files for iOS devices. it cost around $25.
Alternatively there are specialized apps that will let import Photos from the PC from a variety of sources. Most depend on creating an address on the iPad that you can then acces on the PC using a browser, or installing apps on both the iPad and computer. I’ve used PhotoSync by touchbyte GmbH in the past, and it worked well. Been a while though, so I don’t know if the app is still the best choice.
In the Files app you can choose the three dot icon at the top of the Files list to connect to a server. You’ll need to go to the PC to make sure SMB service is turned on, and identify the address. It’s not a good way to transfer photos (since they won’t end up in the Photos library), but you can move files to the iPad’s folders that way. You’ll need to log into the server with a user name and password that has access to the file/folders you want.
Mostly I just use iCloud Drive for file tansfers and the website icloud.com for access to other basic Apple apps on a PC; but I’ve never done a mass migration. You’ll need more than the free 5GB of iCloud drive storage to migrate more than a few files.
You do not have to install all of iTunes to install access to Apple’s iCloud serivices on Windows. At least not last time I checked. It’s a choice during the installation process.
The latest macOS offers the world’s best way to play — and add to — your collection of music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, audiobooks, and more.
www.apple.com