How do you import your character from Mass Effect 1 to Mass Effect 2?

Using Steam, click play Mass Effect 2. A window should pop up asking whether you want to start ME2 or ME2 launcher. Select the Launcher and once it comes up click on Configuration. In configuration there will be an option to load a save from ME1. Once you select the save file you want, launch ME2 then select start new game and use imported ME1 character.