Directions for Flash Drives

Use a flash drive to transfer files and programs to and from a computer.

Flash drives have revolutionized the portability of computer memory by housing significant memory on a small, portable device that plugs effortlessly into the USB port of a computer. After inserting a flash drive into a computer port, the user has instant access to files, music, programs and data stored on the drive. Many flash drives come equipped with a split ring enabling users to place them on a key ring for use anytime and anywhere. Using a flash drive is simple.

Instructions

1. Remove the protective cap of the flash drive or push out the connector that plugs into a USB port. Insert this connector into the USB port of your computer.

2. Click "Start" and select My Computer. You should see the flash drive listed along with your hard drive, any other storage devices connected to your computer and your CD/DVD drive.

3. Double-click the flash drive within My Computer to open this drive and view the contents. Double-click any file or folder within the flash drive to open it.

4. Navigate to an item on your hard drive that you wish to copy to the flash drive. Right-click the item and select Send To. Select the flash drive from the drop-down list of options and wait while the item is copied to the flash drive. Check the flash drive directory after copying the item to make sure it appears on the flash drive.

5. Drag an item from the flash drive directory to your desktop to copy it. Once the item is copied successfully to your desktop, you can then move it wherever you wish on your hard drive for permanent storage.

6. Delete items from your flash drive by right-clicking them and selecting "Delete." Confirm your wish to delete the item by clicking "OK" and the item will be deleted from your flash drive.

7. Select the Safely Remove Hardware icon from your system tray when you are ready to remove your flash drive from the USB port. Highlight the flash drive from the list of items that appears in the window and click "Disconnect." When you see a message telling you that you may safely disconnect the hardware, pull the flash drive straight out from the USB port.

8. Replace the protective cap over the connector or push the connector back inside the special housing inside the flash drive.

References

• Princeton Theological Seminary: How to Use Your Flash Drive