Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Using camera software
• Method 2 of 2: Using your operating system
• Tips
• What do you need

Having trouble transferring photos from your digital camera to your computer? It's not difficult at all! And very soon you will be able to do it with your eyes closed.

Many cameras are sold with software that helps you download photos from the camera to your computer's hard drive. This article will explain how to transfer photos to your computer with and without camera software.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Using camera software

1. 1 Launch the software that came with your camera. Insert the software disc into the drive and follow the installation steps. If you bought a used camera or your camera for some reason does not have a disc for installing software, look for this program on the Internet. In some cases, the program can be installed from the website of your camera manufacturer.
2. 2 Connect the camera to your computer. Usually, when the camera has been properly connected, you will hear a distinctive sound or see a new window on the computer screen.
3. 3 Synchronize your camera with your computer and transfer your photos. If you have software installed for your camera, you will most likely see a new dialog box on your computer screen that asks if you want to transfer images from the camera to this computer. Follow the instructions on the screen. If the software window does not open automatically, start the program yourself.
4. 4 Delete photos from your camera. Once you've transferred all of the photos to your computer, your camera software will most likely give you the option to delete those files from your camera.

Method 2 of 2: Using your operating system

• Unless your camera manufacturer insists on using special software, most operating systems (MacOS, Windows and all recent Linux versions) will detect and install your camera on their own (like a regular flash drive).

1. 1 If you have a USB cable for your camera, just connect it to your computer using this cable. If your computer has a memory card port, insert the memory card from your camera into that port.
2. 2 Open the camera folder, find photos in it and copy them to any folder on your computer.
3. 3 Clear camera memory. After making sure all files have been copied to your hard drive, you can delete the originals from your camera.
   • Some cameras will allow you to transfer photos to your computer, but will not allow other changes, such as deletion. In this case, you need to clear the camera's memory using the camera itself (find the delete button on your camera to clear the memory card).

Tips

• If you are using Windows XP, all you have to do is connect the camera to your computer. Your computer will open a dialog box where you will be presented with the option "Transfer images to computer". Thus, the whole process will be greatly facilitated.
• If you have a Mac OS, you do not need to install the camera software. Just connect your camera to your computer and use iPhoto to manage your photos. iPhoto usually launches automatically. All you have to do is click on the blue button in the lower right corner of your screen.
• For the latest releases of Linux systems (SuSe, Fedora, etc.), it is best to have a memory card reader connected to your computer. Your computer will detect and install the memory card and show a shortcut to the camera folder either on the desktop or in an explorer window. After that, you just need to transfer the photos from the camera folder to a folder on your computer. The Windows camera software installation disc can be used as a Christmas tree decoration.
• You can also buy a dedicated memory card reader. These devices are usually sold under fancy names like "6-in-one, 12-in-one, digital memory card reader and writer." Through this device, you can connect any flash drive and memory card to your computer.In Windows XP, just plug the device into your computer and you will see the new drive in the My Computer folder.
  
  

What do you need

• Digital camera
• Computer
• Connection wire
• Camera software (good cameras usually don't force you to use manufacturer software)