How to Use an External Hard Drive on Your PC

An external hard drive can be used to store digital images, large music files, large documents and other personal files that may take up too much space on your computer’s original manufactured hard drive. External hard drives are portable and once you have saved information onto the drive, can be taken with you and used on other computers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

How to Use an External Hard Drive on Your PC

1. Be aware of the amount of space you will need before purchasing an external hard drive. A good way to do this is by projecting the amount of files you will need to store. If you are unsure of the amount of space your files will take up, ask the sales professional to advise you on the amount of Gigabytes you may need.

2. After purchasing your external hard drive, take it home and read the manual. Make sure you follow the instructions closely. Connect the external hard drive to your computer and plug it into the electrical outlet.

3. Your computer will inform you of the new piece of hardware that has been detected, once you install it. Your computer may ask you to allow this new hardware, by registering it. Do so at this time.

4. Try to run a test on your new external hard drive. Create a document and save it onto your new drive. Then try to open the document. If the document opens, you are up and running. If the document does not open, go back to your manual to make sure you have done everything that you were instructed to do.

5. Begin to transfer files from your original hard drive to your external hard drive.

Tips & Warnings

• Always remember that it is better to have too many Gigabytes than not enough!
• Do not purchase a used external drive. They are inexpensive. You will have a manufacturer’s warranty.
• Set the external drive in a safe place that is away from liquids and food.
• Keep your receipt for this item, in case you need to return it. Always check the retailer’s return policy when buying electronics of any kind.
• Make sure your documents have been stored on your external hard drive, before deleting them from your desktop.
• Make sure the external hard drive is plugged in and turned on. This may be the reason why your computer is not recognizing it.
• Be careful when using your portable external drive. Keep it in a safe, cool place. You do not want your external hard drive to get damaged.