Windows Live Writer: Adding Images

With our Windows Live Writer Blog API for Drupal, we get questions on how to add images. If you want to add an image, Windows Live Writer really makes it easy. Of course, you have to be running Windows to make it work.

If you haven’t configured Windows Live Writer yet, make sure you check out the client configuration. If you need to add a file attachment, make sure that you see the post on adding a file attachment.

You have three primary options for adding images.

Here is how you add images in Windows Live Writer:

Option 1 – Insert Picture

  1. When you have launched Windows Live Writer, you will see a list of insertion options on the right side of your screen. If you don’t see the sidebar, go to the view menu and turn on the sidebar.
  2. Simply click on the “Insert Picture…” link
    insert image
  3. You will be presented with the option to search your computer for an image. Make sure the image is RGB and a supported file format. Find your picture and click “insert”
    picture browse

Option 2 – Drag and Drop

  1. If you have your image on your desktop or in a folder that is visible, you can just drag your picture from your desktop to your Windows Live Writer Window. If it is not a supported file format, Windows Live Writer won’t let you move it over.

Option 3 – Using a Screen Capture Tool

  1. This has the most steps for instruction, but it is very effective if you have images on the web that you want. Simply find the image on any web page.
  2. If you are running Vista, you can use your Screen Snipping tool. If you have an older version of Windows, you’re on your own. You should find your Screen Snipping tool by going to the Start Menu and clicking on All Programs. Then, look in your Accessories folder. If you move a short cut to your desktop or your quick launch bar, you can really save time.
    find snipping tool
  3. When you launch the Snipping Tool, you’ll see the little control panel and your mouse cursor will change to a cross hair which you can drag around any image.
    snipping tool
  4. When you release your mouse after dragging it around the item you want to capture, you can simply go to your Windows Live Writer window and go to the Edit Menu and click Paste (or simply hit control-V).
  5. This is how I insert almost all the images in my posts… it is how I have created the images in this very tutorial.

For all options – Formatting the Image

  1. With the image selected, you’ll see options on the right sidebar. First you have the picture options.
    picture properties
  2. Second, you have the advanced settings. One thing you will always want to do is put information in the Alternate Text. Put your keywords about the image here. If you do, people may find your post via an image search.
    advanced properties