How To Back Up Digital Photos

  • December 13, 2008
  • 956 Views
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There was one advantage to storing photos in a shoebox: you didn’t have to worry about a computer crash wiping them out!

You Will Need

  • A collection of digital photos
  • And blank CDs or DVDs
How To Back Up Digital Photos: Open photo folder

Step 1: Open photo folder

If you have Windows XP, open the folder where photos are stored. If the Picture Task area is not showing on the left side, click Tools, then Folder Options.

Set up a monthly reminder for yourself so you get in the habit of backing up new photos.

How To Back Up Digital Photos: Choose "Show common tasks in folders"

Step 2: Choose "Show common tasks in folders"

On the General tab, choose “Show common tasks in folders,” then click “Apply” followed by “OK.”

How To Back Up Digital Photos: Highlight the photos

Step 3: Highlight the photos

Highlight the pictures you would like to back up, then click on “Copy all items to CD,” which is in the Picture Tasks area on the left.

How To Back Up Digital Photos: Click on the balloon

Step 4: Click on the balloon

When the balloon stating “You have files waiting to be written to the CD” appears, click on it to open the window and view your files.

How To Back Up Digital Photos: Choose "Write these files to CD"

Step 5: Choose "Write these files to CD"

Choose “Write these files to CD.”

How To Back Up Digital Photos: Insert a CD

Step 6: Insert a CD

When prompted, insert a CD, then click “Next.” Enter a name, then click “Next” again. Eject the disc when a message appears indicating that burning is complete.

How To Back Up Digital Photos: Double click on hard drive

Step 7: Double click on hard drive

For Mac iPhoto, double click on your hard drive. When the window opens, click on “Pictures” in the left hand column, then choose the “iPhoto Library” folder.

Only 13% of digital photos actually get printed.

How To Back Up Digital Photos: Drag the iPhoto Library folder to the disc

Step 8: Drag the iPhoto Library folder to the disc

Drag the iPhoto Library folder onto the blank disc icon on your desktop.

As an alternative, highlight the iPhoto Library folder, then click on the black and yellow circular symbol on the right hand corner of the window.

How To Back Up Digital Photos: Insert blank disc

Step 9: Insert blank disc

Insert either a blank CD or DVD. When asked to initialize it, give the inserted disc a name.

How To Back Up Digital Photos: Eject the disc

Step 10: Eject the disc

When a message appears that burning is complete, eject the disc.

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Comments (1)

Susan_Reed_Clark

Easy to follow -- moves along quickly. Also includes ";how-to"; for Macs.

over 3 years ago by Susan_Reed_Clark

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