What is a USB (Flash, Jump) Drive?

A type of portable drive that stores and transfers data located on a computer. It works in a similar way to a floppy disk. It enables the user to read, write, copy, delete, and move data from the USB drive to a computer and back again. A USB drive does not require any type of software installation. All that is required is a USB port. (All modern computers have them). A USB drive may also be referred to as a jump drive, thumb drive, pin drive, or pen drive.

What is the Difference Between Floppy Disks and USB Drives?

FLOPPY DISK USB DRIVE

Larger physical size Smaller, about the size of your thumb

Less storage capacity Larger storage capacity (see table below)

Slow to write information Quickly transfers files

Capacity of USB Drive Data Size of Floppy Disks

Digital Photo Capacity(Photo size can vary)

64 MB (Megabytes) = 44 floppy disks + 50 photos

128 MB = 88 floppy disks + 100 photos

256 MB = 176 floppy disks + 200 photos

512 MB = 352 floppy disks + 400 photos

1 GB (Gigabyte) = 704 floppy disks + 800 photos

How Do I Use a USB Drive?

Just plug your USB drive into the USB port of your computer. Drag the files that you want to take with you into the folder that appears on the screen. Your files will instantly be transferred to your USB drive. To transfer the items from your USB drive to a computer, plug your USB drive into the computer that you want your files transferred to, open the folder that appears on your screen and drag the desired file onto your computer’s desktop. If you are transferring a large number of files it will helpful to make a blank folder on your desktop. This way transferred files can be organized without cluttering up your desktop.

How Do I Use a USB Drive? (Continued).

1. Insert the USB drive into the USB port of your computer. • Where is it? There are usually a few USB ports on the front of newer

computers. (Sometimes they are hidden in a small compartment). On older computers they are found on the back). The ports for laptops are usually found on the side or back of the computer.

How Do I Use a USB Drive? (Continued).

2. Wait for the hardware to automatically install on your computer. After the hardware installs the USB drive is ready to use.(On the taskbar you will see a message like “found new hardware,” then “Your new hardware is installed and ready to use.”

3. Most of the time an Options Window will automatically open. Select Open folder to view files then click OK.

How Do I Use a USB Drive? (Continued).

4. After selecting the option to open the folder, you will see the files that are on your USB drive.

5. Select the file you would like to open just as you usually would a file that is saved in My Documents.

How Do I Save New Information on my USB Drive?

1. Saving files on a USB drive is similar to saving files on a floppy disk.• For example: Open Microsoft Word Select File, Select Save As.

2. Select the USB drive from the drop down menu (this will sometimes be called Removable Disk or Unknown. It will usually be labeled the E or F drive.

3. Once the USB drive is selected, title your document in the File name field.• Select Save.

How Do I Save New Information on my USB Drive? (Continued).

How Do I Remove My USB Drive from My Computer?

1. To safely remove your USB drive look for the icon, and click it once.

2. You will get a message that says “safe to remove hardware.”

3. Remove the USB drive.