How to Use a USB Flash Drive

Flash drives connect to the computer through a USB Port. USB ports are marked with this symbol:

Saving files to a flash drive:

1. Insert the USB drive directly into an available USB port.
   Note: In the lower right-hand side of your screen, you may see a message indicating that a new device has been detected. It may take about 10 seconds until you see “Device is ready for use.”
2. The drive folder should automatically open.
3. If the USB or External drive folder doesn't automatically open:
4. Click the Windows Start buttonàComputer.
5. Double-click your USB drive icon or your external hard drive icon. The name of your external drive may vary. For example, USB Disk (E:).
6. Once your USB or external drive folder is open, open the folder that contains the files you want to copy to the USB or external drive.  You can do this by browsing in the current window, or opening another window by going to StartàMy Computer.
7. Right-click on the files you want to copy, then select Copy.
8. Return to the USB or external drive window, right-click within the window, then click Paste.
   Important: To safely remove the drive, return to the My Computer window, right-click on the USB drive or external hard drive, then click Eject.
9. You'll notice that the USB drive or external hard drive disappears from the list of available drives on your computer. It is now safe to remove the USB drive or external hard drive from the USB port.

Notes and Words of Caution

• Some USB flash drives may require software to be installed on the computer before use; these models may not work on computers with limited rights.
• You should be able to take a USB flash drive back and forth between Macintosh and Windows computers; however, not all files are compatible with both platforms.
• Plug-and-go USB flash drives are the ONLY flash drives that will work on campus. If you need to install a program for the flash drive, it will not work.