How to Transfer Photos to Your Computer

Transferring photos to your computer: here’s how!

After you get home, you want to view your photos as quickly as possible, but of course not on that tiny screen on your camera. Your computer is much better suited for that. But do you know how to get the photos onto your computer? There are several ways to do this. In this article, we will guide you through the most commonly used methods for a Windows computer and Mac.

Transferring photos to your computer with Windows Explorer

• Connect your memory card / Open Windows Explorer

First, take your SD card, otherwise it will be a tricky job. Some computers have a dedicated slot for SD cards. If your computer does not have a dedicated slot, use a card reader. Once your computer has detected it, it is time to open Windows Explorer. On the left-hand side of your screen, you will see the devices your computer recognises. Select your memory card, and it will open your memory card so you can see all your files.

• View photos / Make a selection

You should now see all the photos you have taken and want to transfer. If you only see an overview with all the file details, click the preview pane at the top of your screen. This allows you to view the images slightly larger. Very useful if you want to make a pre-selection. Would you prefer to transfer all photos from your camera? Then select everything with ctrl + A. Copy all the images you want to save on your computer and go to the location where you want to store them.

• To the new location / to the backup location / new folder

The new location can be a place on your computer, in your Dropbox or on an external hard drive/NAS. It all works in the same way, which is very convenient. Create a folder in the right place according to the way you archive your photos. Have no idea how you want to do this? This is how you create a clear archive. Always remember: storing your photos in one place is not enough, and always create a good backup [link to creating a good backup].

• Done!

And yes, your photos are now on your computer. That is only step one. Now it is time to create a clear archive and a good backup.

Difference between Windows Explorer and the Windows Photos program

Windows offers another way to transfer your photos to your computer. This is called the Windows Photos program. We will briefly explain the differences, so you can choose which method you prefer.

• When you plug in your memory card, do not choose ‘view folder and files’, but ‘import photos and videos’. This will take you to the Windows Pictures library.
  
• When you want to transfer all photos from your camera to your computer, click the ‘select all photos’ button. Then import everything. Do you not want everything? Then make your selection first. At the top, you can follow the progress. Do not worry if they are not in the right order yet. This will happen automatically later.
  
• If you click the left arrow at the top, you will go to the library. Side note: Windows creates the folder using today’s date. If your archive is organised by the date the photos were taken, adjust this in the settings.

Transferring photos to your computer with Mac Finder

• Connect your memory card

To get started, you need the following: your memory card and possibly a card reader if your computer does not have a dedicated slot for SD cards. Once your computer has detected your memory card, it is time to open Finder. To access your memory card, select your memory card under devices on the left-hand side of your screen.

• View your photos and select

You should now see an overview of all the photos you have taken with your camera. If you do not see any photos but only the details, select list view. You can find this at the top of your screen under the view heading. Make a selection of the successful photos or select all the material if you prefer. Copy the images and paste them into the right folder.

• Put them in the new location

The right folder is the place where you store your photos. This can be in Dropbox, on your computer or on an external hard drive. Create a folder in the right place according to the way you archive your photos. Are question marks dancing through your head when you think about setting up an archive? With these tips, we will help you create a clear archive. To protect you from a mistake you do not want to make, we recommend creating a good backup. This helps prevent you from losing your photos.

Keep the backup up to date by placing new photos in the other locations as soon as you save them.

• Done!

And yes, your photos are now on your computer. Step one is done, but hold on a moment. Saving them once is not enough; just imagine your computer breaking down. Start creating a clear archive and make a good backup straight away.

Difference between Mac Finder and Mac Image Capture

Just like Windows, Apple also has two options for transferring photos to your computer. We will briefly explain the difference between Finder and Image Capture. With Image Capture, you can immediately set which photos you want to import from your memory card and which ones you do not. These photos go directly into the selected folder, while if you add them via Finder, you will need to copy them and place them in the folder you want. So it mainly saves you a few steps.

Remember: try both and decide based on your own experience.

Editing photos

Once your photos are on your computer, it also becomes easier to edit photos. You can use different software for this, such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.