To open an SD card on Windows 10, put it in your PC’s SD card slot or a USB card reader. Then open File Explorer, select This PC, and double-click the SD card under Devices and drives. It usually shows as SD Card or Removable Disk with a letter like E:.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 28, 2026.
Put the card in
- Card slot: Many laptops have a thin slot on the side. Push the card in gently, label side up on most PCs, until it clicks or stops.
- microSD card: Use a microSD-to-SD adapter in the slot, or a USB card reader.
- No slot: Use a USB card reader. Plug it in and put the card in the reader.
If a pop-up appears asking what to do with the card, you can pick Open folder to view files.
Open the card in File Explorer
- Press Windows logo key + E to open File Explorer. See how to open File Explorer in Windows 10.
- Select This PC.
- Under Devices and drives, double-click the SD card.
You can now open, copy and move files. Camera photos are usually in a folder named DCIM.
Remove the card safely
- Close any files that are open from the card.
- In File Explorer, right-click the SD card and select Eject.
- When the card disappears from the list, take it out.
For more, see how to safely eject a drive in Windows 10.
If the card doesn’t show up
- Take the card out and put it back in firmly. Try another USB port or card reader.
- Check the small lock switch on the side of a full-size SD card. Slide it up to unlock it if you can’t save files. See how to remove write protection in Windows 10.
- Open Disk Management to see whether Windows finds the card. If it has no drive letter, right-click it and select Change Drive Letter and Paths > Add. See how to open Disk Management in Windows 10.
- If Windows says the card needs to be formatted, copy off anything you can first. Formatting erases everything. See how to format a drive in Windows 10.
Copy photos off the card
Open the card, then the DCIM folder, and select the photos you want. Press Ctrl + C, open your Pictures folder, and press Ctrl + V. Or use the Photos app: select Import > From a USB device to copy new photos and sort them by date automatically.
More fixes when the card reader itself isn’t working
- Check Device Manager. Right-click Start, select Device Manager, and look under Disk drives, Memory technology devices, or Universal Serial Bus controllers for the card reader. If it has a warning sign, right-click it and choose Update driver, or Uninstall device and restart.
- Get the driver from your PC maker. Built-in readers from Realtek and others often need the maker’s driver to work properly. Download it from the support page for your exact model.
- Try the card in a phone or camera. If it doesn’t work there either, the card is the problem, not the PC.
- Large or fast cards on older readers. SDXC cards (64 GB and up) and some fast UHS cards may not work in older readers. A cheap USB 3 card reader usually solves it.
What Disk Management tells you about the card
If the card is missing from File Explorer, the label Disk Management shows for it points to the fix:
- FAT32 or exFAT, Healthy: the card is fine. If it has no drive letter, add one with Change Drive Letter and Paths.
- RAW: Windows can’t read the file system. Don’t format yet if you need the files; try the card in its camera or phone first, or use a recovery tool.
- Unallocated: the card has no partition. It needs to be formatted before Windows can use it, which erases anything that was on it.
- No Media: the reader is there but can’t see the card. Reseat it, or try another reader.
Check the card for errors
If files on the card won’t open, or Windows says the card has a problem, run a check. Copy off what you can first. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run chkdsk E: /f, replacing E with your card’s letter. Windows scans the card and fixes file system errors it finds.
If the card asks to be formatted and you need the photos on it, Microsoft’s free Windows File Recovery app in the Microsoft Store can try to recover them first.
Choose what happens when you insert a card
Go to Settings > Devices > AutoPlay. Under Memory card, pick an action such as Open folder to view files or Import photos and videos, so Windows does it every time you put a card in. Choose Take no action to stop the pop-up.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my SD card read-only?
The lock switch is usually the cause. Slide it to the unlocked position and put the card back in.
Can I use an SD card for extra storage?
Yes. You can save files to it like any drive. Keep important files backed up too, because cards can fail.
Which way does the card go in?
On most laptops, label side up with the metal contacts going in first. If it doesn’t slide in easily, don’t force it; turn it over and try again.
Is it safe to edit files straight on the card?
It works, but it’s safer to copy files to the PC first, edit them there, and copy them back. If the card is removed while a file is open, that file can be damaged.
Microsoft’s reference is Safely remove hardware in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: How to Format an SD Card to FAT32 in Windows 11.
Related: how to open an SD card on Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.