How do I get pictures from my camera to my computer?

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.
Which edition of Windows Vista am I using?

Here is the simplest method:

1.	Connect the camera to your computer by using the camera's USB cable.
2.	Turn on the camera.
3.	In the dialog box that appears, click Import using Windows to copy pictures to your computer.

Illustration of a camera being connected to a computer with a USB cable
Connecting a camera to a computer with a USB cable

You can add descriptive tags to your pictures when you import them by typing them in the Tag these pictures box. You can separate multiple tags with semicolons.

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What if the import dialog box doesn't appear?

If the dialog box prompting you to import your pictures doesn't appear when you connect the camera to your computer, AutoPlay might be turned off. You can import your pictures using Windows Photo Gallery instead. Here's how:

1.	Open Windows Photo Gallery by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Photo Gallery.
2.	On the toolbar, click File, and then click Import from Camera or Scanner.
3.	In the Import Pictures and Videos dialog box, choose your camera from the list of devices, and then click Import.

If you prefer, you can turn on AutoPlay or set AutoPlay to automatically import pictures from a digital camera. For more information, see Change AutoPlay Settings.

	What if connecting my camera doesn’t work?
	If Import Pictures and Videos does not work for your camera, or if your camera uses an unusual cable (like a 9-pin serial cable), then Windows can’t get pictures from your camera automatically. You need to install software provided by your camera’s manufacturer. Check the manufacturer’s website for the latest driver software.

	What about removable memory cards?
	If your camera uses a removable memory card such as Secure Digital (SD) or CompactFlash, consider plugging a memory card reader into your computer. When you insert your memory card into the reader, you can copy your pictures from the memory card to your computer without draining your camera’s battery, dealing with connection cables, or installing additional software.

Why can't I choose which pictures to import?

Because Windows detects your newest pictures and doesn't import duplicate versions of older pictures that you've already copied to your computer, it's now easy to import your pictures to the Pictures folder in a single step. In addition, we recommend that you review your imported pictures in Photo Gallery, where large previews make it easy to decide which newly imported pictures to delete from your computer.

How do I get pictures from my camera to my computer?

What if the import dialog box doesn't appear?

What if connecting my camera doesn’t work?

What about removable memory cards?

Why can't I choose which pictures to import?

See also