Getting pictures from your camera into your computer

Most digital cameras store pictures on a CompactFlash memory card or a Secure Digital (SD) card. When you're ready to view, organize, or print your pictures, you'll need to import the pictures to your computer. Then you can erase the pictures on the memory card and use it to take a new batch of pictures.

There are two main ways to import pictures:

• Connect the camera directly. You can import pictures by connecting the camera directly to your computer using a universal serial bus (USB) cable. With this method, your camera must be turned on, so importing pictures will use up some battery power. You'll also need to keep the cable handy if you import pictures regularly.
  
   Use a memory card reader. The fastest way to import pictures is to use a memory card reader. Remove the memory card from your camera, slide it into the card reader, and then plug the card reader into your computer's USB port. Many computers have built-in card readers, allowing you to slide memory cards directly into the computer.
  

  Whichever method you choose, Windows should automatically recognize your camera or card reader when you plug it into your computer. Then, follow these steps:

  1. In the Autoplay dialog box, click Import pictures and videos using Windows. Windows will locate the pictures (and any video files) on your memory card.
     
     
     
     
     
     After Windows locates your pictures, you're asked if you want to create a tag (a word or a short phrase that describes the group) for the pictures you're importing. If you do, type the tag name in the Tag these pictures (optional) box. If the pictures being imported don't have any single characteristic in common, skip this step. You can always add tags to individual pictures later (see "Organizing and finding your pictures" in this article).
     
     
     
     1. Click Import.
     2. As Windows begins importing your pictures and video files, select the Erase after importing check box if you want to delete the pictures and videos from your memory card after importing is finished. That clears space on the card so that you can take a new batch of pictures.
        
         
        After your pictures are imported, they'll appear in Windows Photo Viewer.

        Tip

        • You can use a device called a scanner to convert regular photographs into digital pictures.