Commons:Help desk

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This help desk is a forum for questions and help on:

How to use Commons

Anyone, from newbie to experienced, can ask a question here. Questions will be replied to here as well. Any answers you receive are not legal advice and the responder cannot be held liable for them.

Ask your question

or

In order to get quick answers consider the following points:

• Have you checked the frequently asked questions, help pages and the help desk archive?

• For licensing and copyright issues, please use the copyright village pump
• For proposing changes to the way Wikimedia Commons works, please use the proposals village pump
• For community-wide discussions, please use the main village pump
• For changing the name of a file, please see our file renaming guidelines
• For matters requiring the attention of an administrator, please use the administrators' noticeboard or contact an individual administrator directly
• For questions about Wikipedia content, try English Wikipedia's "Teahouse"
• For questions not about Wikimedia projects, try English Wikipedia's reference desk

Resolved sections (marked by {{section resolved|1=~~~~}}) will be archived after two days. Sections with no discussion will be archived after ten days. The latest archive is Commons:Help desk/Archive/2026/02.

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COMMONS DISCUSSION PAGES

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	SpBot archives all sections tagged with {{Section resolved|1=~~~~}} after 2 days and sections whose most recent comment is older than 10 days.

Who can post?

Can anybody post in this forum? Even groups that are designated as terrorist organizations? Bahmanja (talk) 02:04, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

@Bahmanja: Yes, but they have to be on topic. However, you are free to try to get them blocked if they violate some rule or other.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 02:12, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

Individual users cannot go through every post and flag them. Site admin can block particular names/domains/users that are not allowed to post. My thinking is that terrorist organizations are one of them. If they are, is there a way that users can pass the names to the admin? Bahmanja (talk) 02:25, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

Bahmanja, the path to walk depends on which organization(s) made the designation. Can you elaborate? - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 16:42, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

US government. Bahmanja (talk) 18:19, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

Bahmanja, if you're talking about "antifa", nothing to be done here. - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 20:27, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

Not talking about Antifa. This clip below is the reason for my question.

https://x.com/omid9/status/2017556501083103240?s=42 Bahmanja (talk) 20:40, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

I would have to say: the person who made that video is either seriously ignorant of how Commons works, or pretending to be ignorant of how Commons works. Certainly 999real is not a flack for the Iranian regime. He is uploading available free-licensed material. If the government of Iran is making such material available, and no one else involved is doing so, that is not under our control.

Further: yes, Tasmin is banned by the English-language Wikipedia as a source for encyclopedia articles. That has literally nothing to do with whether they are allowed a source for photographs on Commons. About the only reason Commons bans a source is that they launder copyrights to the extent that we cannot trust the validity of any license they would issue. Even an organization where the bulk of what they put out is repugnant tracts that fall outside of our scope can still be a valid source for (for example) photos of their own leadership, or a meeting that they hosted. - Jmabel ! talk 21:50, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

A devious photo from Tasnim.

Bahmanja, ah, okay. To summarize the clip, guy talks about searching Commons for Iran protests 2026 sorted by recency and finding only pictures from news agencies controlled by the Iranian government. He ends by saying "stunningly, Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons not only have done nothing about this, they don't even know it's going on"
Actually we do know. There's a simple reason for this: they release all their media with a free license. These are photos taken by professional photographers which we are generally happy to have when they are freely licensed and meet COM:SCOPE. So they get uploaded here. As of right now, his statement is no longer true as the most recent uploads right now come from Category:Photos from Vahid Online, Category:Photos from Mamlekate and a few others. But government sources could be the most recent again tomorrow.
Even I uploaded a few photos from Tasnim a few years ago. Doesn't mean anything. If those with Starlink access license their content freely, we'll be more than happy to host it. - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 22:11, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

Thanks Alexis for clarification. I understand the logic behind this site now. But I still do not understand why a non Iranian, 999real who does not know any Iranian put up so many posts related to Iran. Maybe he has extra time on his hand and likes to post random pictures just for fun. Bahmanja (talk) 02:51, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

Bahmanja, that's quite possible you know.. - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 07:20, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

That's OK: there is no need for you to understand why 999real, nor indeed any other individual, volunteers their time here. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 15:41, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

[REMOVED unsubstantiated accusations and responses telling the accuser to knock it off. - Jmabel ! talk 21:00, 5 February 2026 (UTC)]

1st of all I am not Iranian and I don't speak Farsi and I never been in contact with anyone from Iran outside of Commons and I uploaded all those files with their original description because they show the claims that was made and tactics used by the government during these times which is important especially because of possibility of further internet censorship in Iran and I never claimed these images or descriptions are correct or tried to insert them in Wikipedia articles but apparently no one is able to think of these reasons $999$REAL 💬 ⬆ 23:37, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

Thanks guys for clarification. Bahmanja (talk) 16:34, 2 February 2026 (UTC)

Bahmanja, I don't know if Commons:Village pump#Openly licensed propaganda/terrorist material was inspired by your question but it seems relevant. - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 16:13, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

Thanka Alexis for sending this. I am glad some others are noticing the same issue. ~2026-80441-7 (talk) 15:55, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

Iran regime propaganda

Why do you allow the terrorist group IRGC use your platform for propaganda? Zeddepropaganda (talk) 19:23, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

@Zeddepropaganda: See COM:VP#Openly licensed propaganda/terrorist material.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 19:36, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

Because we are an open repository for freely licenced media and not an Islamist organisation? Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 11:05, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Uncopyrighted files

Can I upload files that are not copyrighted? JUNGAL9992 (talk) 07:47, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

You probably should explain what you mean by "not copyrighted". COM:THIRD might be good reading here. Abzeronow (talk) 08:00, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

If they are truly not copyrighted, and are COM:SCOPE in scope, yes, but most people do not understand what is and is not copyrighted. Do see COM:THIRD. - Jmabel ! talk 21:55, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

How do I give Fair use license to material that is not created by me

I need to know how to give that license. I tried giving it "Fair use" license, but it shows "This media may meet the criteria for speedy deletion." in the "Licensing" section. Is there a way to give it "Fair use" license? JUNGAL9992 (talk) 16:50, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

@JUNGAL9992: No, we don't allow Fair Use here.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 16:56, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

@JUNGAL9992: you need to upload the material to whatever projects you intend to use it on Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 11:06, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

हिंदी

alamgir ~2026-72438-4 (talk) 17:06, 2 February 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-72438-4: Hi, and welcome. Do you have a question?   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 17:29, 2 February 2026 (UTC)

Closing as gibberish Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 12:46, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Resolved

I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 12:46, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

What does it mean this work was created by me

i took the picture only Bimshure (talk) 03:42, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

Hi there. When you take a photo, e.g., the one you took recently, publishing the image as your own work does not assert that you own copyright on the boat depicted.

When you take a photo of many types of outdoor, permanent thing in many countries, Freedom of Panorama applies. If it's art, that may or may not complicate it. EnjoyLightEnjoyTruth (talk) 00:59, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@EnjoyLightEnjoyTruth: I think that answer is more confusing than helpful.

@Bimshure: Assuming you are talking about uploading a photo with the Upload Wizard, there are two separate questions, neither one worded exactly that way. First, you choose "This work was created by me and anyone is free to use it." That means you took the photo. Then if you choose "This work was entirely created by me" it means that the photo does not show any copyrighted work created by someone else.

For what it's worth, the Upload Wizard does not do a great job of dealing with the issue of Freedom of Panorama that EnjoyLightEnjoyTruth mentions. If someone else's copyrighted work is alright to show based on Freedom of Panorama, you would do best to choose "Yes, the work is not protected by any copyright law," even though that is not strictly true. If relevant (I don't think it is needed for the particular photo cited by EnjoyLightEnjoyTruth), you can add a template from Category:FoP templates by hand after uploading; unfortunately, the Wizard does not walk you through this. - Jmabel ! talk 05:20, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Question

How does work can you take me throw Tseoge Setswaneng (talk) 06:28, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

@Tseoge Setswaneng: Perhaps you are looking for COM:First steps. If not, you will need to ask a more specific question. - Jmabel ! talk 05:21, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

How do I just use this

I need to upload some pictures Tseoge Setswaneng (talk) 06:36, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

Please read COM:First Steps Abzeronow (talk) 06:38, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

Uploading photos

can the photos contain nudity ? Briank1600 (talk) 01:01, 4 February 2026 (UTC)

Briank1600, Wikimedia Commons is not censored, so technically yes. We do have Category:Naturism for example. However, photos must be educationally usable. At least a part of the community is extra strict when it comes to nudity. Blurry dick pics absolutely won't fly. Also consider personality rights which are extra important when nudity is involved.
What are you looking to upload? - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 01:48, 4 February 2026 (UTC)

Commons:Nudity § Significantly different from existing files says: "If a file depicts some phenomenon or circumstance which we do not already have representations of (for example, diseases or body modifications) then it should be kept, as it adds to the educational content of Commons." Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 01:35, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

Also, see Commons:Nudity. - Jmabel ! talk 20:40, 4 February 2026 (UTC)

User is delting all of my uploaded picture files

My name is Steven Christopher Seward. I am a professional portrait painter who has uploaded about 20 of my portraits of famous or noteworthy people onto Wikipedia biography pages of those people. I have also made a few modest text edits in biographies where I could substantiate information on the people featured.

Suddenly, a user with the name Whyiseverythingalreadyused is systematically deleting every picture I have uploaded, claiming that I am not the real Steven Seward and am in violation of copyright law. What can I do to counter this destruction and prove who I am? ~2026-80098-1 (talk) 15:14, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-80098-1: Hi, and welcome. Please sign in, and send permission for them as explained on VRT.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 15:31, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

Resolved

I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 11:23, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

can we upload the image of Harsh Vardhan (ai evangelist)

i am asking if after upload i i odnt want loose my account so if there so restriction means i can upload, this is public avaialble image so RajBlr01 (talk) 17:49, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

What specific image are you referring to? Belbury (talk) 18:22, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

I guess this cypher.analyticsindiamag.com/speakers/harsh-vardhan ~2026-80654-6 (talk) 19:08, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

That's a copyrighted photo on a page that even explicitly states, "All rights reserved," so clearly no. - Jmabel ! talk 21:06, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

Am I allowed to post pictures of myself?

/* Am I allowed to post pictures of myself WhiteslaveJames (talk) 01:42, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Would a personal photograph of you have an educational purpose? Commons is not social media. COM:SCOPE has details on these matters. Abzeronow (talk) 01:46, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Typically, no. (1) Copyright normally belongs to the photographer, so other than selfies, you'd need to demonstrate that you had properly acquired the copyright of the photos. (2) If you non-trivial activities on Commons or one our WMF sister projects, you are allowed a small number of (appropriately licensed) personal files for use on your own talk page, but otherwise personal files are out of scope. It looks like you have only a couple of edits, well below the (loose) threshold. (3) In the unlikely event that there is a Wikipedia article about you or something else that establishes significant notability, that would be a different matter. For example, we were very happy to have this selfie by author and translator Caraid O'Brien. - Jmabel ! talk 05:41, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Interlanguage links

Hi there. Is it possible to get a list of categories that still use interlanguage links? Thanks in advance, Alavense (talk) 11:30, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Questions

Hi, I started to doubt whether these picture1 and 2 are genuinely from the author's own work or not. What should I do in this situation? Camilasdandelions (talk) 11:55, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

@Camilasdandelions: Hi, For each file, you can open a discussion for deletion (for example by clicking the link "nominate for deletion" from the description page of the file), where you specify clearly the reasons for your doubts. -- Asclepias (talk) 14:15, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Publication of art

Is it possible to publicate art (photo of art from the private collection) from 1911 as a date of painting? PWnoname (talk) 13:51, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

@PWnoname: Please provide information on the painting and the painter. -- Asclepias (talk) 14:21, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

And country. - Jmabel ! talk 22:58, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Question about licensing for a news photo

Hello. I found a photo related to the tribute to Yeison Jiménez on the website Prensa Libre, credited to AFP [1]. I cannot locate the original on AFP's website. Could you advise if it is possible to upload this image to Commons under a free license, or if it is likely protected and uploading is not permitted? Thank you. Shiningr3ds (talk) 16:01, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

@Shiningr3ds: I'm not aware of any contemporary content from AFP being free-licensed or PD. Do you have any reason to think this would be, or was this just a shot in the dark? - Jmabel ! talk 23:02, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

It was indeed just a shot in the dark, as I could not locate the original AFP source to check its licensing status. I will not upload it. Thanks for the answer. Shiningr3ds (talk) 03:36, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

Pdf with description

I was wondering if I can make a pdf of each photograph session as individual pieces? Like giving descriptions and interesting facts? Or you should just upload and you guys decide. Katrinakatya (talk) 19:36, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

@Katrinakatya: We generally do not want individual photos uploaded in PDF format. - Jmabel ! talk 23:05, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Adding photos to Wikipedia

my great uncle Thomas Xenakis is in Wikipedia. Would like to add his photo and his Olympic medal that he won in the first modern Olympics in 1896 Athens Greece, please advise Stevie2020 (talk) 12:26, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

Who took those photos? Ruslik (talk) 14:05, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

I did, medals were taken by me, my great Uncles photo was a photo with my Mom in 1921 when she got married Stevie2020 (talk) 15:05, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

Pasted from duplicate post below, for clarity:
My great Uncle Thomas Xenakis is in Wikipedia Gymnast for first modern Olympics 1896, Athens.He won two Silver Medals, wish to post them with his photo..the photos are down loaded, just need help in adding them to Wikipedia. Stevie2020 (talk) 15:30, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

Hi, and welcome - thank you for uploading File:Thomas Xenakis Gymnast.jpg! I have added it on Wikidata, now it is replicated on any of the wikipedia sites that uses the Wikidata Infobox. For more information about adding images, there is a tutorial on English wikipedia en:Help:Introduction_to_images_with_Wiki_Markup/1 that may be helpful. A small note - on the file of your great uncle, can you change the "date" to whenever you estimate the photograph was taken (it was not taken today) and for author: it is not you who took the photo, but maybe there are details of the photographer on the back? Otherwise, put "unknown". Thank you. -- Deadstar (msg) 16:10, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

More precisely, put {{unknown|author}}. - Jmabel ! talk 19:58, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

Wikidata

This is a long term struggle for me. Please tell me how to fix Category:Meadow Woods, Florida. Thanks so much, Krok6kola (talk) 14:16, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

Done, in this edit. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 14:41, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

letter from author

Over 50 years ago I received a short letter from now deceased author Walter R Brooks, author of Freddy the pig books. It deserves posting on the Freddy the pig article but you are inquiring whether I have the right to do so. Also, how can I rotate it 90 degrees so it is easily read? Thanks! JohnRBrauer (talk) 14:48, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

@JohnRBrauer: I see you've already uploaded before asking. Of course rotation to the correct angle is welcome (I'll take care of that), but it is certainly still copyrighted in the United States. According to the Hirtle chart, any currently unpublished work with a known author who has a known death date remains copyrighted for 70 years after that death date (and through the calendar year: works don't age out of U.S. copyright mid-year). So I will have to delete that for now, and it will be restored at the beginning of 2029. To undelete it any sooner, you'd need to track down Brooks's heirs and get a license from them (see COM:THIRD for more on this). Yes, in 2029 it would probably be a welcome addition to the article, but that is (or will be) for people at the English-language Wikipedia to decide. - Jmabel ! talk 20:10, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for your kind attention. I hope I am able to add it in 2029, when I turn 86. JohnRBrauer (talk) 00:16, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@JohnRBrauer: I'm younger (but not much younger, and devoured those books in third grade). Don't worry about the file, it is marked to be undeleted on 1 January 2029; at worst it would be a few days later if there is a large tranche to undelete. - Jmabel ! talk 05:17, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@JohnRBrauer: You can upload an image of the signature if you want. -- Asclepias (talk) 15:13, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Upload a PDF

18:02, 6 February 2026: ScottWKillen (talk | contribs) triggered an abuse filter, performing the action "upload" on File:Seawar Game Instructions.pdf. Actions taken: Disallow; Filter description: Prevent uploads of PDF files by new users

I received a PDF abuse filter lockout when uploading a game description for a game that I authored and published through CompuServe. I have two PDF files that are wholly my own work and can be viewed at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YCUAplzKFU6PvVLVyirZ78t70lgk3me3/view?usp=sharing and at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zXYzdo7NvS3P4KXVp_ivaIZE2aTZ_dba/view?usp=sharing

I will license them as Attribution-ShareAlike.

Can someone help me get these files into my area of the Wikimedia Commons for an article I am authoring as a citation? Thank you very much. ScottWKillen ScottWKillen (talk) 22:28, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

@ScottWKillen: We restricted PDF uploads for new users due to the problematic files often uploaded by new users. To be able to upload a PDF file, you need to be autoconfirmed, which is granted automatically to accounts that are at least 4 days old. I recommend just simply waiting out those 4 days to be able to upload PDFs. HyperAnd [talk] 23:44, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

In any case, uploading a PDF to Commons does nothing to make it more citeable in the English-language Wikipedia (or any other Wikipedia that I'm aware of). At most it provides a convenience link. - Jmabel ! talk 05:19, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

public domain question

I find numerous online images of Francis Drake portraits made during the 1600s. One in particular is copyrighted by the NPG in London but appears in Wikimedia Commons. How can there be this dual dynamic? Kind regards to all, Hu Nhu Hu Nhu (talk) 01:02, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@Hu Nhu: Hi, and welcome. NPG is perpetrating copyfraud in this case.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 02:34, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Which is to say, they are in the public domain. You might find Sweat of the brow interesting. - Jmabel ! talk 05:22, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

See also this article: National Portrait Gallery and Wikimedia Foundation copyright dispute. HyperAnd [talk] 07:11, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Is this a photograph or illustration?

Is File:The century book of gardening; a comprehensive work for every lover of the garden (1900) (20563287676).jpg a photograph or illustration? Based on other images in the book [2] it could be a photograph, but I'm unsure. Tæppa (talk) 03:42, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@Tæppa: It's halftoned, so there is no way to know the medium of the original definitively, but most likely a photogrpaph. - Jmabel ! talk 05:25, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

To my eyes, clearly a photograph. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:01, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Categories in Commons

Are categories created in Commons stored as folders in Commons server..? --~2026-85894-2 (talk) 04:42, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

The short answer is "no." - Jmabel ! talk 05:26, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Then how are numerous media files categorized in the server? All kept/hosted together..? --~2026-85135-5 (talk) 06:03, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

If you want the technical details, see wikitech:Media_storage

To summarize: media files aren't grouped by category at the storage level at all. They're stored based on hash-based sharding, purely for performance reasons. The categories and other metadata you see on a filepage are to help humans keep things categorized, but they don't impact how the media files themselves are stored on the backend. ~Kevin Payravi (talk) 07:32, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

amazing.. Thank you @Kevin Payravi: . --~2026-88469-2 (talk) 05:25, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Resolved

I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 11:02, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Is this actually "own work"?

Dr. Hedgevar

Discussion at Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Humanities#K._B._Hedgewar, please join if you have an opinion. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 09:18, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

How do I challenge speedy deletion of my file

I received a warning message on my talk page saying that my file was tagged for deletion and demanded a proof that the author agreed to license the file under the given license, but I am the author. How do I rescue my file from deletion? And how do I challenge the speedy deletion? Super ninja2 (talk) 15:18, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@Super ninja2: I suspect that TonySt tagged like that because you've written both "as illustrated by David Rohde" and "Author: Super ninja2". So one might ask whether David Rohde and Super ninja2 are the same person, and if not how much of the content of the file is by each of them. I think the "proper" way to contest this would be to edit the file description page to answer that question and then click "Challenge speedy deletion" to convert the speedy deletion request into a slower contested one. --bjh21 (talk) 15:30, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Another question to answer is how you learned of that illustration.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 16:14, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Oh I see. I will edit the description. Sorry for the confusion. Super ninja2 (talk) 20:29, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Excuse me, so, should I say "as described by David Rohde"? Super ninja2 (talk) 20:30, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

where is the "Challenge speedy deletion" button? I can't find it. Super ninja2 (talk) 20:33, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@Super ninja2: What OS, browser and skin are you using? Also, what book? We use {{Cite book}} for books here. I think it would behoove you to review COM:EVID.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 20:46, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

What OS?

Windows 11

browser: Mozilla Firefox

skin:Default settings. I didn't add any skin to my browser. Vector legacy (2010)

I think it would behoove you to review COM:EVID got it. I will take a look at it. Super ninja2 (talk) 21:46, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@Super ninja2: Pigsonthewing reverted the tagging in Special:Diff/1162066357 because you claimed the file was your own work.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 23:34, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

 Comment, if I remembered correctly, I think the "Challenge speedy deletion" button is only available to users with autopatrol rights. Thanks. Tvpuppy (talk) 22:41, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@Tvpuppy: Thanks. It's certainly something above TA.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 23:38, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

"TA"? - Jmabel ! talk 23:57, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Temporary Account? HyperAnd [talk] 08:50, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel: Sorry, I meant "Temporary Account". Odds are, "Teaching Assistant"s won't qualify, either.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 18:55, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

I was trying to make sense of it in terms of "autoconfirmed", "autopatrollers", etc. I'll add this to COM:Glossary. - Jmabel ! talk 20:17, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

The chart in the Rohde's book is nearly identical. I've started a DR about it. - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 04:11, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

@Super ninja2: please contact the Volunteer Response Team. If your ownership is verified, they will restore the file without further action from you. Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 09:03, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Dave Dawson

I wish to be listed on Wikipedia , how do I add my name ? Dave Dawson128 (talk) 20:35, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@Dave Dawson128: Hi, and welcome. The steps in order are: 1) Become famous; 2) someone at a reliable source will write and publish an article about you; and 3) someone else will write about you on Wikipedia. Note that we do not accept biographies, and Wikipedia doesn't accept autobiographies; see COM:NOT and en:WP:AUTO for details. If you qualify for a list there, someone should add you to such list.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 20:45, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@Dave Dawson128: you also need to see w:Wikipedia:An article about yourself isn't necessarily a good thing Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 11:01, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

This is not Wikipedia; this is Wikimedia Commons. For the answer to your question, see en:WP:AUTOBIOGRAPHY on Wikipedia. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 21:02, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Upload photo to Wikipedia

want to upload photos to my great uncles site. I uploaded to your site so what is next step? Stevie2020 (talk) 21:09, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@Stevie2020: Hi, and welcome. The best guide I have found for insertion of a photo is en:H:PIC   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 21:14, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

I tried, want to add his Olympic medals from 1896, not understanding it, where you press edit, doesn't state upload photo.. Stevie2020 (talk) 21:20, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

@Stevie2020: The same way you uploaded File:Thomas Xenakis Gymnast.jpg. You are not allowed to upload while editing on Wikipedia yet; you may request COM:AP at COM:RFR when you think you are ready (once you have made more than 500 useful non-botlike edits); having that should allow you to do that. You have also triggered Special:AbuseFilter/156 by trying to upload smaller (<50,000 bytes) jpg images as a new user; see COM:HR. In addition, please stop making new sections here about the same issue; new sections are a pain to deal with, and you can just add to the existing section.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 21:36, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Uploading new files or overwriting

Hi, for whether or not a file should be overwritten, I would like some clarification. Would you consider a significant improvement being the use of a high quality svg map compared to a more simplified svg map.

E.g. File:1880 US presidential election results map by county.svg

and File:1880 United States presidential election results map by county.svg

Illustriousdudeidk (talk) 03:10, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Illustriousdudeidk, 100% upload as new file. The 1.16MB "simple" SVG can be considerably complex to render for a mobile or older device, but the 43.34MB SVG will make a desktop CPU chug. - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 03:20, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

I'd like to upload a photograph of the person about whom I am writing.

She provided the picture and owns its copyright, so I do not have copyright issues. But what should I check, in order to upload the photograph? Thank you. Bbarbogast2026 (talk) 04:58, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

@Bbarbogast2026 Two guides intended to help with this: COM:THIRD and Wikipedia:A picture of you. The copyright owner is commonly the photographer. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 06:24, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Bbarbogast2026, please send her a link to Commons:Wikimedia VRT release generator. After entering the information, she has to email the output using her own mail program/webmail. Detailed instructions are provided within the generation process. Note that unless it's a selfie she probably doesn't own the copyright. - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 07:25, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Payment

can get paid from this Kagzz38 (talk) 12:12, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

No. Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 12:31, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Resolved

I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 12:31, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Marginal edits blocked

I want to get rid of the white bar below this image, but of course it isn't my own and blocks me from doing so. Despite it being such a trivial change, the automated thing keeps flagging it as some sort of vandalism. I wonder why that's the case?

File:Géricault - A Charge of Cuirassiers, c. 1822 - c. 1823.jpg Browhatwhyamihere (talk) 16:14, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

It's a bar signifying copyright (I mean, for Wikimedia purposes, it is in the public domain, but meh) Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 16:21, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

I just realised there was a very small copyright marker in the bottom left from the Wallace Collection shortly after wrtiting this, but thanks for the answer! Browhatwhyamihere (talk) 09:48, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

@Browhatwhyamihere: The reason is indicated in your filters log. Retrying multiple times will not bypass the filter. The reason is detailed on the page Commons:Overwriting existing files. You can request permission to overwrite this file at Commons:Overwriting existing files/Requests. -- Asclepias (talk) 18:18, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for the tips; I infrequently go here anyway. (Of course retrying repeatedly won't work!) Browhatwhyamihere (talk) 09:56, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

@Browhatwhyamihere: In addition to the above, the white bar accompanies a very small claim of copyright by The Wallace Collection. You may upload a cropped version with a different filename like File:Géricault - A Charge of Cuirassiers, c. 1822 - c. 1823 (cropped).jpg if you wish, possibly removing Category:French paintings in the Wallace Collection from the result. Pinging @Maltaper as original uploader.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 19:05, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

It would still be a French painting in the Wallace Collection, and that category should stay. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 19:21, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

I have cropped the border and overwritten the original, per COM:Watermarks and COM:Copyfraud. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 19:25, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

@Pigsonthewing: GLAMs might have an issue with that.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 19:29, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

And? Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 19:39, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

 Info Jeff is referring to the GLAM–Wiki initiative Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 23:30, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

If there is an error in publishing, how do i identify that error

If there is an error in publishing, how do i identify that error Awinimaal (talk) 23:02, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Can you give more details ? Anatole-berthe (talk) 00:05, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

Ok to submit a preliminary image of a recent election, and has a Share Alike license?

I created a preliminary map of the recent general election in Thailand. Basically, I filled in the winners of the respective constituencies. I do understand that the results are not official, and I am using a file that is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Nonetheless, I was wondering if it was even possible to do so, and what are the proper procedures of adding such files. The last thing I want to do is to do things incorrectly. Kindly let me know. Rogerjamesdsouza (talk) 01:27, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

@Rogerjamesdsouza: It is impossible for anyone to tell whether you are doing everything correctly in a file we haven't seen. - Jmabel ! talk 01:46, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

I can attach it if that helps. Is there any way I can do so on this help desk? Or, do I have to go somewhere else? Rogerjamesdsouza (talk) 01:53, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

On second thought, here is the link: File:2026 Thai general election electoral map (preliminary results).svg Rogerjamesdsouza (talk) 01:56, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

@Rogerjamesdsouza: I fixed the link to NELLA32.

I presume that the coloring is your work, and you should credit yourself explicitly for that as an author. After all, NELLA32 should not be held responsible by anyone for anything you might not have gotten right.

This needs categories.

Is this a map you intend to update over time, or is it intended to reflect permanently the state of the election results as of 9 February?

Looks otherwise OK to me. - Jmabel ! talk 06:11, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

The coloring is indeed my work, and I do not intend to hold NELLA32 responsible, so I will credit myself for this.

How do I include categories?

Yes, this is a map I intend to update over time, especially when the official results become known. Rogerjamesdsouza (talk) 14:45, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

@Rogerjamesdsouza: You do categories here just like on any other file: Commons:Categories#Categorizing pages. - Jmabel ! talk 00:59, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

If you intend it to be kept current, please mark it with {{Current}}. - Jmabel ! talk 00:59, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

Ok! Rogerjamesdsouza (talk) 04:28, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

Mostra sulla Donna nello sport per 8 marzo

Buongiorno, sto selezionando 50 immagini da stampare su cartelli per realizzare una mostra didattica in un Centro Commerciale per la durata di 15 giorni. Su ogni immagine ho inserito i dati seguenti, chiedo se sono sufficienti alla tutela dei diritti e se sono in regola con la legge per il mio lavoro. Grazie per la Vostra risposta, ecco un esempio dei dati che inserisco: Chris Evert (Tennista) Foto: Agosto 1990 - Il presidente George HW Bush gioca a tennis con Chris Evert a Camp DavidLicenza: PDM Autore: Tatiana, Mosca, Russia Fonte: https://www.archives.gov/global-pages/larger-image.html?i=/publications/prologue/2008/winter/images/camp-david-gb-l.jpg&c=/publications/prologue/2008/winter/images/camp-david-gb.caption.html ~2026-90171-7 (talk) 08:40, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

Good morning, I'm selecting 50 images to print on posters for an educational exhibition at a shopping center for a 15-day period. I've entered the following information for each image. I'm asking if it's sufficient to protect my rights and if it's legally compliant with my work. Thank you for your reply. Here's an example of the information I'm entering: Chris Evert (Tennis Player) Photo: August 1990 - President George H.W. Bush plays tennis with Chris Evert at Camp David. License: PDM. Author: Tatiana, Moscow, Russia. Source:

translator: Machine translation - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 09:32, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

~2026-90171-7, you should consult with a lawyer if you wish to ensure you are in compliance with copyright laws. The requirements depend on the image and license. In case of File:Georges Bush & Chris Evert playing tennis at Camp David.jpg it is indicated on Commons to be public domain. If that is correct, no attribution of any kind is required. The page does not mention any "Tatiana".
For images with a different license (Creative Commons Attribution for example), the requirements are different. We could help you with proper attribution if you give us a list of the images you wish to put on display, but we cannot provide legal warranties of any kind. See also Commons:General disclaimer. - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 09:53, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

As mentioned above, you should really consult a legal professional in the country where you plan to display the images. In your question, you did not specify that country. The language of your question sort of suggests that it might be in Italy. In the example File:Georges Bush & Chris Evert playing tennis at Camp David.jpg, please note that the page here on Commons says that the image "is in the public domain in the United States". It is not in the public domain in most other countries. The government of the United States claims a copyright on this type of photo outside the United States in countries where there is a copyright. It might or might not be in the public domain in Italy depending if under the Italian law it can be considered a simple photograph without creative characteristics. Again, you should seek professional advice in the country of your exhibition. About the source, you may prefer to indicate this more simple url: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/545293828 which in addition to being shorter is also clearer about the origin of the photo, its context and its date. I am curious to know where the mention of "Tatiana", which seems unrelated to this image, comes from. -- Asclepias (talk) 19:07, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

Image upload on a Wiki-page

How can I upload an image on a Wiki page and how do I know if it's fair use?? MusicBioContributor (talk) 13:06, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

• What do you mean by "Wiki"? There are many wikis, like Wikimedia Commons (this site) and Wikipedia (the encyclopedia). Please don't abbreviate such wikis to "Wiki" as it arises confusion to which wiki you are referring to.
• If you mean that you want to upload an image to Wikimedia Commons so that you can use it on Wikipedia: We do not accept fair use. It also seems like you want to upload third party works, so I highly recommend reading COM:THIRD. From your Wikipedia edits, I can see that you're trying to make an article about a music album. You likely shouldn't upload such album covers as explained in COM:THIRD, because they are likely copyrighted and not in a free license.
  • There is a way to upload fair use files to English Wikipedia without Wikimedia Commons, but the criteria is very strict. See en:WP:NFCC. (Also, fair use files on English Wikipedia cannot be used on draft pages but on live articles.)

HyperAnd [talk] 13:46, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

I checked sulutil:MusicBioContributor; check out w:Special:Contributions/MusicBioContributor

I doubt that OP is here to contribute to literally any Wikimedia project Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 23:55, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

Media may be deleted

Hello!

i have some files that says they might be deleted due to lack of proper source/license. And i'm just wondering what i do after I've edited in the proper information that is needed for them to not get deleted. Do i just edited them in and save the changes, or do i need to inform someone that i have made changes after I've saved the changes?

thank you in advance - Benjamin. Benjamin Matts (talk) 14:41, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

Yann, you tagged the files, do you consider the edits to be sufficient?   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 16:14, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

Где найти загруженные фотографии?

Я загрузил скриншот двух онегинских строф: Пушкина и Ивлеева и две фотографии Ивлеева Николая. Скриншот на месте, а фотографий нет. Как найти? Alison 1936 (talk) 17:06, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

Where can I find uploaded photos?

I uploaded a screenshot of two Onegin stanzas: Pushkin's and Ivleev's, and two photographs of Nikolai Ivleev. The screenshot is there, but the photographs are missing. How can I find them?

translator: Google Translate, used by Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) -- 00:47, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

The account Alison 1936 has uploaded only one file here on Commons, see Special:Log/Alison 1936. Maybe you uploaded other files with another account or to another website? -- Asclepias (talk) 17:21, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

Спасибо за помощь. Я поищу! Alison 1936 (talk) 07:44, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for your help. I'll look for it!

translator: Google Translate, again used by Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 11:29, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

Search by licence

Is it possible to search all files of a category by licence? (I think the german speaking wikipedia doesn't accept PDx, but I'm not sure about that too.) Amtiss (talk) 20:15, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

@Amtiss: In Special:Search, a combination of "incategory:" and "insource:" (with the license tag, including curly brackets, as the object of "insource:") should do it. If that answer is gibberish to you, see Help:Search where these terms are further explained. - Jmabel ! talk 23:59, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

Importing to Commons

Hi, how do I import a file to Commons if "Can't import file because at least one of its file revisions is hidden." Wlaak (talk) 22:02, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

@Wlaak: You'll probably have to download-and-upload. Someone might be able to give you a better answer, or do it for you, if you ask about a particular file rather than asking abstractly. - Jmabel ! talk 00:02, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Thanks @Jmabel . I was referring to this one specifically [3] Wlaak (talk) 08:59, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@Wlaak: en:File:Syrianska.svg is marked as non-free, presumably copyrighted 1 July 1977 (48 years ago) by Suryoyo SK. What makes you think it's free enough for us? If you do find out that that or another file which is actually free enough for us but gives the same error, the easiest solution for Admins on both wikis is to unhide the revisions on the other wiki, import, and then optionally rehide them.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 09:44, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Newbie

I live in small town America and not a far off country. What kind of material should I highlight?☆ Seeker 8612XY (talk) 00:07, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@Seeker 8612XY: Are you talking about uploading photographs you take, or about something else? And it would be helpful if you could be more specific than "small town America," because some parts of the U.S. are already very well covered and others far less so. - Jmabel ! talk 00:27, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

CC BY 3.0 Images from UT Health archive for upload (138 files)

Stumbled across an image from a collection of apparently freely licensed photos while researching Hurricane Beluah for enwiki. The institutional archive they're on asserts that they are CC BY in the "Access Rights and Restrictions" field on each image's page. No results on Commons show up for the author Tuley, George F. These photos are not already present in Category:University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Here's their brief description for the collection

Is there an efficient way to upload them all? EnjoyLightEnjoyTruth (talk) 01:13, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@EnjoyLightEnjoyTruth: "In the second step, the user can select one or multiple files (up to 50 files at the time) and begin uploading." – Commons:Upload Wizard

I think a few/several batches of 50 files (and one batch of less than 50) on Special:UploadWizard should suffice Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 12:23, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

Cancel subscription to Washington Post

How do do this? ~2026-95367-0 (talk) 01:47, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

This page is for asking help about Wikimedia Commons, not about Washington Post. Sorry. HyperAnd [talk] 02:22, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Resolved

I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 06:16, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

upload photo of myself to Wikipedia page

Hi -- We shot a few selfies yesterday for an author event. Uploaded two to Wikipedia Commons but have been failing to add one of the photos (the #2) to my Wikipedia page, which has no photos of me at the moment. Can you help, please or even better, post it for me? Thank you. RudolphOfRanchTop (talk) 01:52, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

"My Wikipedia page"? You are active on w:Stephen Rubello (w:Special:Contributions/RudolphOfRanchTop); are you Rubello himself? Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 02:57, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Video Folklore Competition

Hello i am trying to upload a video for the folklore competition in the correct format and i keep getting an error message is there a link you can send me for to try the upload there? Thankyou Grass tree truth (talk) 03:55, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

We are not your personal free web host. Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 04:05, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Hold on there pilgrim youre running a competition and you cant upload any videos and try and lose the attitude...Theres quite a bit of prize money involved here fro the winners and you have a glitch on your site im sure those in charge of Wiki would like to know this thankyou Grass tree truth (talk) 04:20, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

So I am running the competition? Hardly Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 04:46, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@Whyiseverythingalreadyused: please don't give unhelpful answers on the help desk. Do you have some specific reason to think this user's intended upload is out of scope for the contest in question? - Jmabel ! talk 05:26, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

I think I misunderstood them; I have Wikimedia banners globally turned off because I got frustrated at closing them all the time Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 05:37, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Jmabel ↑ Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 06:11, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@Whyiseverythingalreadyused: There is almost always at least one contest going on here. Sometimes, if you want to help someone, you may have to ask which contest, but if someone is asking about a contest, and you haven't a clue, and you don't want to help them, please just stay out of it. - Jmabel ! talk 18:01, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@Grass tree truth: Hi, and welcome. What format are you trying? Video2Commons is having problems right now, but some alternatives are on Commons talk:Video2commons and Special:Diff/1164024705. Details of what you are trying to upload and how, and the errors you are getting, will help us to troubleshoot.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 04:30, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Thankyou Jeff the upload worked Grass Tree Truth Grass tree truth (talk) 04:48, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@Grass tree truth: You're welcome, but: it's very blurry and hard to make out; and is there a script, transcript, or set of subtitles you are willing to share? We use Timed Text pursuant to en:SubRip for our subtitles. Also, what is the subject matter, a poem? Who is speaking? Why is the filename in all uppercase?   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 05:02, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

I dont know i just did it in uppercase...could you walk me through subtitling it Jeff id really appreciate it thankyou Grass tree truth (talk) 08:18, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@Grass tree truth: did you read en:SubRip, which Jeff linked? It is reasonable to come back here with specific questions if there is something you don't follow. It is not reasonable to say, "I'm not willing to read the documentation, someone else needs to walk through my particular case step by step." - Jmabel ! talk 18:04, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Help sorting out Estonian Air Force flags

I noticed there is some mix-up with several images of the flags of the Estonian Air Force. Namely, images with "(reverse)" in the name actually contain the obverse (front side) of the flag, and vice versa. This has led to confusion and errors in articles, with some cases going by the name of the file and others by the contents.

In an attempt to fix this, I have uploaded the current, correct version of the obverse of the flag as File:Flag of the Estonian Air Force (obverse).png. I have also fixed the flag in a number of articles, mostly on enwiki, but several images still remain that are in use on various wikis:

• File:Flag of the Estonian Air Force (reverse).png - shows the obverse, seems to be in use as such.
• File:Flag of the Estonia Air Force (reverse).png - crop of the previous.
• File:State Flag of the Estonian Air Force (obverse).png - shows the reverse*, also incorrectly named as a state flag. Seems to be mostly in use as the obverse.
• File:Flag of the Estonia Air Force.png - probably a crop of the previous, also seems to be in use as the obverse.

(* Actually this appears to be a generic reverse used by a number of Estonian military flags, not specific to the Air Force.)

What would be the best way to sort these out, considering that most uses of all four files seem to be as the obverse of the flag?

• Go through and edit each individual article? Seems a daunting task, especially since many are on wikis in languages and scripts I don't understand. Is there a bot for this?
• Request (speedy?) deletion of the images and re-create as redirects to the correct image?
• Directly change the images into redirects? Not sure if this is even possible.
• Upload new versions to make the filenames match the image contents? AFAIK uploading duplicate images is not allowed.
• Something else I'm not thinking of?

I appreciate any advice. Indrek (talk) 08:49, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@Indrek: the best course is probably to indicate here what filenames should be changed to what other filenames, even if it means that some names need to be swapped with each other. An admin can do the necessary moves, but if there are names to be swapped, no one else can. - Jmabel ! talk 18:09, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Well, based on the contents of the files, I might suggest the following filename swaps:

• File:Flag of the Estonian Air Force (reverse).png ↔ File:State Flag of the Estonian Air Force (obverse).png
• File:Flag of the Estonia Air Force (reverse).png ↔ File:Flag of the Estonia Air Force.png

But this would create the issue that articles using the "(reverse)" images to show the obverse of the flag would now show the reverse of the flag instead and require updating to use the correct image. In which case they might as well be edited to use the one I uploaded (which is higher-res and contains the current version of the flag).

Also, this would still leave files of multiple versions of the flag, and one image with the incorrect word "State" in the filename, which I would prefer to avoid. Indrek (talk) 19:51, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Username

how to change username Copenhagen8thGenBernstorff (talk) 15:29, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@Copenhagen8thGenBernstorff: See Changing your username. -- Asclepias (talk) 15:41, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Revisions (.png of naval message to USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723)

I want to upload a .png of a naval message sent by Commander, Submarines, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, VADM George Emery, USN,to me (Commanding Officer, USS Oklahoma City (SSN 7123)) on 27 April 1995. The message is important to the submarine's participation in supporting the people of Oklahoma City following the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building the week before. I also have numbers of pictures taken by the crew and others on the waterfront which would help flesh out this historically important time. SoonerCO (talk) 20:59, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Hmm. Your descriptions sounds like being about an official USN document, made under the responsibility of a member of that service branch. That's within the purview of {{PD-USNavy}}. Furthermore, most military messages follow a strict, nearly algorithmic pattern, where there's no place for individual creativity, so they would be unprotected anyway.

But for pictures taken by crew members, you will have to differentiate between pictures taken as and during military duty and pictures taken as private mementos. The former are welcome (again: PD-USNavy), the latter need individual rights releases.

Last but not least: keep COM:SCOPE and COM:PERSONAL in mind, but that's only a small hurdle if you already have a use case on Wikipedia ready. Regards, Grand-Duc (talk) 21:24, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Exactly. All things I'm interested in using to illustrate this history are the same: naval messages, memos, etc., and photos. SoonerCO (talk) 21:32, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

Is there any issue left? So, as long as any media was produced as official duty by a member of the armed forces of the USA, the it's in the public domain. If private mementos are to be included, then a rights release through COM:VRT is necessary, see COM:THIRD. Regards, Grand-Duc (talk) 22:08, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

The only issue for me is the mechanics of uploading what I want to insert.

Oh, and apparently another: I just checked the USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) wikipedia article and it has unexplainably reverted overnight to what it was before I revised it extensively. I am still in the process of compiling proper citations. Guess I'll just paste back in what I wrote. SoonerCO (talk) 14:50, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

mechanics of uploading Special:UploadWizard is pretty self-explanatory; as noted, you will want to use {{PD-USNavy}} in lieu of a license, there's a place in the wizard sequence where you can fill that in. As for using some of the images in an article in en-wiki, probably the easiest way to see how to do that is to look at the source wikitext and see how other images are inserted (yes, there is documentation, but it's probably quicker to look at a model). - Jmabel ! talk 19:20, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

Question about Publishing the Estate of Paintings of an Artist Friend, Charles Swank

A good friend before he died this past October gave me as his agent and friend all his remaining paintings and photocopies of his lifetime of work. He told me they were mine to sell or give away or burn. I would like to publish some of the best ones here on Wikimedia Commons. His widow has confirmed his wishes to have me publish them. There is nothing in writing to prove this arrangement. It was made with a hug and a handshake.

Any guidance as to whether I can proceed here...? Charles Swank - Artist (talk) 22:51, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

@Charles Swank - Artist: tell the widow to contact the Volunteer Response Team

If that doesn't work, I'm not confident about your probability of getting them onto Commons Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 06:07, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

Image in public domain?

I found this image of Dan Helmer, which seems to be an Army photo and thus, as far as I understand, public domain, but the only source is his website. Not sure if it would still be allowed, or if there would be any way to find the original? (I've tried Google, reverse-image search.) Edit: same question for this photo of David Reid. JohnSon12a (talk) 00:34, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

Hi JohnSon12a. Just going to clarify that an army photo would only be {{PD-USGov-Army}} if it was taken by an employee of the US federal government (e.g., an official US army photographer) as part of their official duties; photos taken by third-parties (i.e., someone who's not an "employee" of the US Army) could still be eligible for copyright protection. The photo you've linked to above for Helmer does look rather official and like the ones taken of US Army members, but the source you've provided isn't really an official government source per se; so, it's kind of hard to say with 100% certainly that this photo is OK for Commons. If the source, for example, attributes the photo to the US Army or some other US governmental department, then that could really clear things up. Given that the photo seems to come from a site controlled by the subject themselves, you could try contacting them and asking where the photo came from, I guess. I can't see the Reid photo you also mentioned because of the PC I'm using at the moment, but what I posted above would, in principle, also apply to it. -- Marchjuly (talk) 01:29, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

Thank you! I figured it would run into that tricky territory. I tried finding it elsewhere, but couldn't. I could try reaching out. JohnSon12a (talk) 01:33, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

Message re: Photo Upload

Hi, I received a message that I need to verify with Commons that I have proper permission to upload a photo I uploaded. I do have permission. To verify, I can have the owner of the photo email Commons and say that she releases the photo under a free license. Would this satisfy the requirement to demonstrate permission? Thank you. ~2026-97827-1 (talk) 08:05, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

~2026-97827-1, please read COM:VRT for instructions. She can use the Commons:Wikimedia VRT release generator. - Alexis Jazz ^{ping plz} 08:27, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

Use of figure from old journal article

I would like to add the figure (i.e. plot) on Page 173 of this 1902 article (https://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1902PAIKH...1..125W) to the Coma Cluster page. Given the age of the publication, is it acceptable to reproduce the figure? Arobotham (talk) 09:47, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

I would say so; Commons:Copyright rules by territory/Germany states that standard copyright persists for 70 years after lifelong protection, and the Max Wolf on the cover page appears to be this one, who died in 1932 (his postmortem copyright expired in 2002) Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 12:16, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

(Slight inaccuracy, his copyright expired in the beginning of 2003. He would still have copyright until 31 December 2002, since copyright terms round up to a full year.) HyperAnd [talk] 12:42, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

So {{PD-auto-expired|1932}}. - Jmabel ! talk 19:22, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

статья смирнов борис иванович

добавила в статью фото, добавила ссылку на отца , исправила данные по жене , а внизу статьи появилась запись:на эту статью не ссылаются другие статьи Википедии. Это делает её менее доступной для читателей. Пожалуйста, установите ссылки, используя инструмент с подсказками для облегчения поиска. (12 февраля 2026) Darty23 (talk) 22:45, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

Article by Boris Ivanovich Smirnov

---

I added a photo to the article, added a link to my father, corrected my wife's information, and at the bottom of the article, a note appeared: This article is not referenced by other Wikipedia articles.

This makes it less accessible to readers. Please install links using the tool with suggestions to make searching easier. (February 12, 2026)

translator: Google Translate via   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 23:42, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

@Darty23: Привет и добро пожаловать. Этот тег был добавлен в ru:special:diff/151688007 пользователем KrBot, управляемым Ivan A. Krestinin.

Hi, and welcome. That tag was added in ru:special:diff/151688007 by KrBot, run by Ivan A. Krestinin.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 23:42, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

Request for Division-wise Highlighted Maps (Chhattisgarh 2026)

Thesurajsahu (talk) 14:21, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

@Thesurajsahu: you asked the same question at User talk:C1MM Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 03:55, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

yes, but I want images as early as possible. Thesurajsahu (talk) 05:15, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

File:Roman Legions camps - AD 80.png does not show

does not show at any resolution lower than 400px. What is wrong? - Erik Baas (talk) 15:25, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

Error - Too Many Requests. bdijkstra (overleg) 15:28, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

@Bdijkstra and @Erik Baas: This is a problem for me too. The diagnostic information just included "Request served via cp1107 cp1107, Varnish XID 593343876

Upstream caches: cp1107 int

Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:30:21 GMT". Please file a bug report via mw:How to report a bug.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 15:31, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

Going back to the old parser works, either via the sidebar or via the preferences. Or you can use a parameter in the url: replace &action=history with &useparsoid=0:

https://nl.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Legio_V_Alaudae&useparsoid=0   → bertux 16:19, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

That doesn't work for me. bdijkstra (overleg) 16:26, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

Rechecked, it does work for me. My settings cause a large width, perhaps ≥ 400px; and indeed, specifying 200px or 250px makes the content disappear → bertux 17:07, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

Fixed it. Don't ask how. ;-) - Erik Baas (talk) 17:30, 14 February 2026 (UTC)

My files were renamed as I uploaded

I am confused, this has never happened to me before. I uploaded two large batches of files using the upload wizard. Hundreds of photos in each batch. The first batch worked as always, the filenames were the ones I had on my files. The second batch did this very weird thing where the files were all renamed. My filenames were for example raffi̙-kojiaɲ-AM2000-0500.jpg, but the uploaded file was named Raffi_kojian-AM2000-0999_01.jpg for some reason, and then from 01 the numbers just go up.

This is very annoying for me because I can no longer match them up with the files on my computer, the file descriptions I have on my computer that I want to slowly add over time, and I can never match them to my original files by filename. It's a mess for me and I am wondering if there is a way to automatically fix this, or just delete them all and I try again, because this is not a helpful situation whatsoever. Also of course any tips on what could have caused it that I can avoid would be lovely.

Thanks RaffiKojian (talk) 04:54, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

@RaffiKojian: Is it that you can't reconstruct the original filenames and do this as a series of moves? Because that would certainly be preferred delete and re-upload. Also though, those are really poor filenames, not conforming at all to Commons:File naming. - Jmabel ! talk 07:02, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

I can offer to go through Special:ListFiles/RaffiKojian and request moves Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 08:59, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

... oh no I don't have the time Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 09:00, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

It would take so much more time to move hundreds of files than it would to just re-upload them. I would have uploaded tens of thousands more photos to commons by now if the entire process didn't take so long, and if I could get uploading software like vicuna or commonist to work on my computer again. It's really a waste just having these sitting on my hard drive instead of here on commons. RaffiKojian (talk) 14:53, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

Apparently all of my files were renamed in the last step of the process, and the only way I can see to stop it is to hand renumber/name thousands of files. I don't know why the site has decided to start renaming and renumbering files, but it's really annoying and pointless. It's already causing me problems finding specific photos I need to in order to add info to them, but I'm plowing ahead with uploading since I don't see a way around it... RaffiKojian (talk) 17:44, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

I can't post a picture.

I can't post a picture. Great turk (talk) 11:13, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

I was going to ask what picture until I checked your talk page and saw that your user page had been nominated for speedy deletion as an abuse of user pages

You need to read Commons:What Commons is not Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 13:34, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

Pinging Yann because he notified OP that we are not a free personal web host Whyiseverythingalreadyused (t · c · he/him) 13:35, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

How to support a challenge topic suggestion on wikipedia as a reply?

I didn't find how to support any challenge topic suggestion appear on wikimedia as I see many do the same with no issues. Need the guide as a beginner. Girlmath (talk) 15:01, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

Lien Diaphonème.

J'aimerais savoir comment transférer le fichier Diaphonème de l'utilisateur Diafonemus vers l'utilisateur Diaphonémus-Galaxie Diaphonème.Gif,Merci. Diaphonémus-Galaxie (talk) 16:06, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

I would like to know how to transfer the Diaphoneme file from the Diafonemus user to the Diaphonème.Gif. Thank you.

translator: Google Translate via HurricaneZeta (talk) 16:17, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

WhatsApp

Saya ingin masuk ke whatsApp saya yang dulu ~2026-10299-27 (talk) 16:44, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

Hello @~2026-10299-27, this is the help desk for Wikimedia Commons, a media repository. We can't help you with your whatsapp account, you'll have to contact them for that. HurricaneZeta^C 16:48, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

Helo @~2026-10299-27, ini ialah meja bantuan untuk Wikimedia Commons, sebuah repositori media. Kami tidak dapat membantu anda dengan akaun whatsapp anda, anda perlu menghubungi mereka untuk itu.

translator: Google Translate via HurricaneZeta^C 16:48, 15 February 2026 (UTC)