How to Back Up Files in a USB Storage Device

Back up the files on your flash drive to minimize loss in the event of a virus or errors.

If your computer becomes infected with a virus or has hard drive failure, you might lose important files. Similar to your computer's hard drive, your USB storage device can also incur errors and viruses that can destroy your data. To protect the files on your computer and your USB storage device, you must back up the devices. Copy the contents of your USB storage device to your computer's hard drive and vice versa to reduce your loss in the event of a virus or equipment failure.

Instructions

Back Up Your USB Storage Device Files

1. Plug your USB storage device into an available USB port on your computer.

2. Close the "AutoPlay" dialog box if it appears on your screen.

3. Click the "Start" button and click "Computer."

4. Right-click the USB storage device's icon and click "Explore." The contents of your storage device open in a window on your screen.

5. Right-click a file that you want to back up and click "Copy."

6. Minimize the window and return to your computer's desktop.

7. Click "Start" and click "Documents."

8. Right-click an empty area in the folder and hover your mouse over "New."

9. Click "Folder" and type a name for the folder and press "Enter." For example, type "USB files" or "Back up."

10. Double-click the new folder to open the contents.

11. Right-click an empty area inside the folder and click "Paste." Your computer copies the file on your USB storage device and writes a copy to your computer's hard drive.

Back Up Your Hard Drive Files

1. Plug your USB storage device in an available USB port on your computer.

2. Close the "AutoPlay" dialog box if it appears on your screen.

3. Click the "Start" button and click "Computer."

4. Right-click the USB storage device's icon and click "Explore." The contents of your storage device open in a window on your screen.

5. Minimize the window and return to your computer's desktop.

6. Browse your computer for a file or folder that you want to back up onto the storage device.

7. Right-click a file or folder that you want to back up and click "Copy."

8. Minimize the window and maximize the window containing the contents of your storage device.

9. Right-click an empty area inside the folder and click "Paste." Your computer copies the file on your computer's hard drive and writes a copy to your USB storage device.

Tips & Warnings

• Copy the entire contents of your USB storage device by pressing "Ctrl" and "A" simultaneously. Right-click and click "Copy."

• To select more than one file on your USB storage device, hold the "Ctrl" key while clicking files. Right-click and click "Copy."

References

• University of Delaware: How to Back Up Data From Hard Drive to External Media