Troubleshooting Camera Connections

Digital cameras can connect to your computer in two different ways. WinZip will only appear in the AutoPlay dialog in one of the two modes.

• Picture transfer ("PTP") mode: in this mode, Windows "knows" that the device you've connected is a camera. Zip from camera using WinZip will appear in the AutoPlay dialog in this mode.
• Mass storage mode: in this mode, your camera appears to Windows as a storage device, just like a disk drive or a USB memory stick would. Because Windows has not identified the device as being a camera, Zip from camera using WinZip will not appear in the AutoPlay menu in this mode.

To determine which mode your camera is using, connect it to your computer. When the AutoPlay dialog appears, look for the device identification at the top. If it includes a drive letter such as "(G:)" your camera is in mass storage mode, and WinZip will not appear in the AutoPlay dialog.

Many digital cameras allow you to change modes using a setup menu; consult your owner's manual or your camera manufacturer's web site for information. Note that your manual may use different names for the two modes (one common name for picture transfer mode is "PTP").

WinZip uses a Windows component named Windows Image Acquisition ("WIA"). If WIA is not running, the AutoPlay dialog will not appear (and WinZip won't be able to connect to your camera).

To check this:

1. Click the Windows Start button, start typing Computer Management, and when that term appears in the items found by search click it.
2. In the left pane, expand Services and Applications and click Services.
3. Right-click Windows Image Acquisition in the right pane and click Properties in the resulting menu.
4. Change the Startup type to Automatic if it is set to anything else.
5. Click the Start button if it is enabled.
6. Click OK.

Note: see this additional information if you are using a Windows Server.

If you connect your camera and AutoPlay does not appear, but a program other than WinZip starts, you may have AutoPlay set to automatically run that program.

Windows 10 and Windows 11

1. Click the Windows Start button and click Settings.
2. In Settings, click Devices, and then click Autoplay.
3. Use the drop down menu below where your camera is listed to select your preference.

Windows 8

1. Open the charms bar and click Search.
2. Type (without the quotes) "Control Panel" or as much of it as is needed until Control Panel appears.
3. Click Control Panel.
4. Follow steps 2-5 of the Windows 7 instructions, below.

Note: your camera needs to be connected to your computer and powered on in order for it to appear in the dialog boxes mentioned above.