How to Use a Mini Flash Drive

Using mini flash drives is the most common way of saving and carrying data around. It is lightweight and can hold a lot of data, depending on the size of memory. Whether you are a student researching or trying to complete your next written project or term paper, a businessman who is planning a presentation or a writer who is trying to finish up your next best seller, a mini flash drive is very handy in keeping them all in one place instead of lagging bulky papers, notebooks or folders around. Read on to learn how to use a mini flash drive.

Things You'll Need

• Mini flash drive
• Computer (desktop or laptop)
• USB connection or hub

Instructions

1. Purchase a mini flash drive. There are many stores that carry mini flash drives. They are sold in computer stores, electronic stores and some drug and convenience stores.

2. Choose the memory size of the flash drive to use. When purchasing they come in different memory sizes. You can get them from as little as 50 mb up to 4GB. The bigger the memory the better since it offers more capacity. Bear in mind that the more memory or capacity, the higher the price.

3. Determine what you will use the mini flash drive for to help in deciding which memory size to purchase. If you are just using the mini flash drive to hold small documents you do not need to purchase one that has a lot of memory capacity, however, if you need to keep power point presentations, photos and videos, you would need more memory.

4. Plug and play. Another helpful tip for purchasing a mini flash drive is to choose the one that is easy to operate whatever type of computer you may be using. Something that doesn't need a separate disk to install the software. The newer models come in as plug and play. The software is installed and running on the mini flash drive and is compatible to newer models of computers. Occasionally, you will find a flash drive that you would need to download a software online for it to work, so that is something you would need to consider as well.

5. Use the mini flash drive by hooking it up to your computer's USB drive. A USB 2.0 would be faster than the older models, but nowadays there are USB 4.0 as well. Just plug it in and let the software run.

6. Register the mini flash drive online. This will ensure that you can get software updates should they become available. These software updates are downloadable online.

7. Start using the mini flash drive by navigating within the drive. You can create folders and sub-folders to keep your files organized. Some mini flash drives already come with prepared folders for documents, pictures, music or videos which you can also use.

8. Use password protection. You can protect the integrity of your files on your mini flash drives with password protection and encryption. Choose a password that is not easy to guess, a combination of alpha, numeric and symbols would make it tougher to hack into. You need to use password protection especially if you have sensitive data that you want to keep secure. An added security will be to use encryption before data can be read. Since mini flash drives can be lost or stolen this is just a way for you to keep your peace of mind.

9. Start saving documents or files, photos, pictures and videos. If you need to type up a new document, you can do it on your computer then save a copy on the mini flash drive or vice versa. It is always safe to save a copy in either places in case your computer crashes or your mini flash drive is lost or stolen. Save copies of files on the computer only if it is yours and not borrowed or rented to protect your privacy and secure your files.

10. Save the files and close the files and folders before removing the flash drive. This will ensure that no data will be lost or corrupted.

11. Eject the mini flash drive. You can click on the "Eject" button on the lower screen of the mini flash drive. You will see a pop-up comes up on the computer screen that will state that it is now safe to remove or disconnect the mini flash drive from the computer. Then safely disconnect by pulling from the USB drive. Some mini flash drives will show a flashing light while it is connected, saving files or closing. When the flashing light stops it is an indicator it is safe to remove.

12. Keep your mini flash drives in a safe and secure place. Keep it with you at all times, especially when traveling from place to place or keep it in a locked dry place if you are using it to save or back up files.

Tips & Warnings

• Never share your password with anyone.

• Avoid placing your mini flash drives in wet places.

• Do not keep mini flash drives in your car's glove compartment. When the temperature rises up outdoors, it can fry your mini flash drive.

• Don't use the mini flash drive to steal important documents or restricted information from your company for that is illegal.