Apple Ipad Air copying files from Windows and also updating the iPad software

 

I wanted to figure out how to get files copied from my Windows 11 laptop to my Apple iPad Air. I will now abbreviate with laptop and Ipad

1. I found these instructions: Transfer files between your Windows device and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch  
2. So I had my laptop and my iPad connected by usb, and was running the Apple Devices software on the laptop.
3. But I got a message from the Apple Devices software saying my iPad's OS was back level
4. So I said yes to updating the iPadOS, but but found out my iPad was not charged, so the transfer from windows to the iPad seemed to be hung
5. That's when I realized the ipad has only one usb-c port
6. So I unplugged the usb from my laptop and charged the iPad for just a few minutes
7. The iPad was showing: support.apple.com/ipad/restore, which apparently meant to be a message to say plug that usb back in
8. After a few minutes of charging the iPad, I did reconnect the laptop to the iPad, and it succesfully transferred the iPadOS update software, and then it started installing
9. Now that it was installing, I believed it to be safe to disconnect the two devices again, so I could go back to charing the ipad while the OS installation update was continuing
10. So first, I tried charging my ipad just enough so it could load all the updates
11. I unplugged the usb from the windows laptop, and tried charging my ipad, at least just enough to get things started again
12. It's taking a while, but once the OS update is installed, I can go back to following the directions in the aforementioned URL.
13. I keep changing my mind whether I need to charge the iPad further because the update doesn't seem to be moving. I did find this by googling: If your iPad's battery is completely depleted, it might take some time before it displays any signs of charging. So I think I need to leave it charging for a while
14. Eventually I should be able to return to following the steps for copying files from the laptop to the iPad using the FILES tab from the Apple Devices software on my laptop.