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A recommended practice is to install programs files (executable code) on the C drive, but store all your data on the D drive. Example 1: Microsoft Word program is installed on C: but all your document files (Word docs) are on D. USB flash drives aren't just for storing documents; they can be used for much more. In our series roundup, we'll show you six cool things you can do with your USB flash drive.
Recognize any detected device in Windows, such as, flash drive, external hard drive, network drive, NAS etc.
Compatible with all Windows system, including Windows 7/8/10/XP/Vista.
Support all backup solutions, namely system backup, disk backup, partition backup and file backup.
Support basic schedule backup, including daily backup, weekly backup, monthly backup, incremental or differential backup etc.
Have multiple backup options, three compression level, email notification, splitting, pre-command/post-command etc.
Can I use a flash drive to backup my computer?
How to backup computer to flash drive in Windows 7? How to backup entire computer to flash drive in Windows 10? How do I transfer files from my computer to a USB? How big a flash drive do I need to backup my computer? What is the best flash drive for computer backup? Many users may have these doubts, just like the following scenario. You my encounter similar problems. Now, let's have a closer look at it.
The system image backup fails, probably because there is not enough space to hold everything on system. Indeed, the actual size of a fresh Windows 10 is around 15 GB. That's to say, if you want to create Windows 10 system image backup, you need a bigger flash drive(at least 16 GB).
Then, for Windows 10 backup USB, you could consider the branded manufacturers, such as, SanDisk Extreme PRO, Sandisk Extreme Go, Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G2, Samsung Bar Plus, Kingston Data Travel Vault, PNY Pro Elite Series etc. Take transfer speed into consideration, USB 3.0 will be the best choice.
What should I backup on my computer?
In Windows 7/8/10, the most important part is the system partition and other related boot partition, so it's necessary to create a system image. Why do I say so?
First of all, system crash will lead to boot failure of a computer and everything on it will disappear, including personal files, installed apps, system settings, etc. Then, only when you have a system backup, the computer can return to normal in a short time. More so, you are allowed to restore files from system backup if you mistakenly delete the files in use.
In addition, you can consider adding an extra layer of your important files by creating a file backup. There is no doubt that all personal data are unique and cannot be downloaded from anywhere. They deserve to be backed up separately.
How do I backup computer to flash drive in Windows 10?
In general, you could backup computer to external hard drive, cloud drive or other storage devices. But today, I strongly recommend you backing up Windows 10 OS to flash drive, that's because it's very portable to take, the price is relatively inexpensive, and the device itself is fairly durable. Almost everyone could afford one.
Without further ado, let's get started. You have two options, built-in Backup and Restore and free backup software AOMEI Backupper Standard, both applicable to windows 7/8/10. Honestly, the later one is easier.
Method 1: Backup computer to USB using Backup and Restore
To backup system with the built-in tool, Backup and Restore (Windows 7), you need to create a sub-folder in the USB drive at first. If not, you may receive error message, saying, 'the drive is not a valid backup location'. That's because most flash drive does not have big enough space to store system image in the earlier dates.
Step 1. Type Backup in the search box and select Backup settings from the result list. Then, you will see the following interface, scroll down to Looking for an older backup and click Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Step 2. Click Create a system image at the left panel.
Step 3. Click the drop-down menu under On a hard disk section, select your USB drive as the destination path, and then click Next.
Step 4. Confirm the backup settings and click Start backup to run the pending operation.
Notes ✎..
◕ If you want to transfer files from computer to a flash drive, you could use Let me choose option that allows you to select personal files as needed. To make it, click Set up backup instead of Create a system image, then follow on-screen instructions.
◕ This software is still applicable to Windows 8/10, but the interface and operation will be somewhat different.
Method 2: Backup Windows 10 to USB via AOMEI Backupper
To backup entire computer to flash drive with AOMEI Backupper Standard, you will use 'System Backup' feature that will include everything required to boot Windows. Thus, it minimize the risk of boot failure. And here are some advantages of this software.
All of these features mentioned above are free of charge. And more advanced features are included in the advanced version, such as, AOMEI Backupper Professional, namely backup flash drive automatically when plugged in with 'USB plugged in', encrypt image files to prevent unwanted access, delete old backup when backup disk full with 'Backup Scheme' etc.
Step 1. Download and install AOMEI Backupper Standard. Launch this software, click Backup and System Backup to backup Windows 10 OS. To transfer files from my computer to a USB, click File Backup to replace it.
Note: To backup entire computer to flash drive, it is suggested to select 'Disk Backup' if your target drive is big enough. In the meantime, you can backup multiple hard drives at a time if you have more than one disk installed on this computer.
Step 2. Click where the arrow point and click This PC in the next window, then find your flash drive on the computer and select it as destination path.
Step 3. (optional) Set backup options and schedule backup by clicking Options or Schedule. How to turn on a computer camera.
Step 4. Confirm everything is OK and click Start Backup to run the pending operation.
Notes ✎..
◕ If you want to backup computer to flash drive automatically when plugged in, you could consider using 'USB plug in' feature. It's available on AOMEI Backupper Professional at least.
◕ If your system is very big, you could compress with normal or high compression level. Please note that high compression level requires more backup time and less disk space.
◕ Don't want to backup everything on system partition, you could enable incremental backup or differential backup to backup changes only. The scheduled differential backup task requires payment.
Plus: why backup computer to USB flash drive?
For computer users, there are various reasons why you use USB flash drive for computer backup. One of the most common reasons is that you hate reinstalling system and installed programs, settings, etc. And this task is tedious and waste too much time and effort.
Besides, you couldn't afford data loss caused by reinstallation. And recovering files from a crashed computer is complicated and not guaranteed. So, a system backup will be the best choice to get your computer back without download time. What's more, you are able to restore files from system image by 'Explore Image' utility in AOMEI Backupper.
Wrapping things up
It's essential to backup computer to USB flash drive, because a system image backup could protect your computer from system issues and data loss. No matter what happens, you can restore computer to an earlier date.
To create a backup image, you could use both Windows built-in tool Backup and Restore (Windows 7) as well as free backup software AOMEI Backupper Standard. Both of them can satisfy your needs. But I prefer the Windows backup software. It not only can backup Windows 10 to USB, but also prevent data loss by 'Explore Image'.
In addition, it has more useful features that can secure your system and personal data, for instance, disk backup, system clone disk clone, universal restore, create bootable USB, clone MBR disk to GPT, etc. Any interest? You could download the freeware or free trial version to enjoy these features (some features only available on paid version).
There are several methods of transferring files to or from a removable disk.
- Copy and Paste
- Drag and Drop
- Send To
- Copy and Paste using keyboard shortcuts
Additional Reference: Transferring large files(4GB or larger)
METHOD 1 - Copy and Paste (top)
Windows 7 or Vista
Windows XP
Mac OS X
Windows 10
Using Windows 7 or Vista
1. Plug the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port.
NOTE: A message indicating that a new device has been detected at the lower right hand of your monitor. It MAY take a few seconds to be detected.
2. If the USB flash drive or external drive folder does NOT open automatically, follow these steps:
a. Click Start > Computer.
b. Double-click on the Removable Disk associated with the USB flash drive.
3. Navigate to the folders in your computer containing files you want to transfer.
4. Right-click on the file you want to copy, then select Copy.
5. Return to the Removable Disk window, right-click within the window, then select Paste.
Using Windows XP
1. Plug the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port.
NOTE: A message indicating that a new device has been detected at the lower right hand of your monitor. It MAY take a few seconds to be detected.
2. If the USB flash drive or external drive folder does NOT open automatically, follow these steps:
a. Click Start > My Computer.
b. Double-click on the Removable Disk associated with the USB flash drive.
3. Navigate to the folders in your computer containing files you want to transfer.
4. Right-click on the file you want to copy, then select Copy.
5. Return to the Removable Disk window, right-click within the window, then select Paste.
Using Windows 10:
1. Plug the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port
NOTE: You will see 'USB Drive' in windows explorer
2. Navigate to the files on your computer that you want to transfer to the USB drive
3. Right-click on the file you want to copy, then select Copy
4. Go to the mounted USB drive, right click and select Paste
Using Mac OS X
1. Plug the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port.
NOTE: A No Name or Untitled disk icon will appears on your desktop.
2. Double-click your Macintosh HD (Hard Drive) icon to open it.
3. In finder select the files you wish to transfer
4. Press-and-hold the Command key and press C.
5. Double-click your Removable Disk icon to open it.
6. Press-and-hold the Command key and press V.
METHOD 2 - Drag and Drop (top)
Windows 7 or Vista
Windows XP
Mac OS X
Windows 10
Using Windows 7 or Vista
1. Plug the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port.
2. Allow the computer to recognize the drive, then click Start > Computer.
3. Double-click on the Removable Disk associated with the USB flash drive.
4. Navigate to the folders in your computer containing files you want to transfer.
5. Click and drag the files you want to the Removable Disk.
6. Release the mouse.
Using Windows XP
1. Plug the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port.
2. Allow the computer to recognize the drive, then click Start > My Computer.
3. Double-click on the Removable Disk associated with the USB flash drive.
4. Navigate to the folders in your computer containing files you want to transfer.
5. Click and drag the files you want moved over to the Removable Disk.
6. Release the mouse.
1. Plug the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port
How To Download Things Into A Flash Drive
Note: You will see 'USB Drive' in windows explorer
2. Navigate to the files on your computer that you want to transfer to the USB drive
3. Select the file you want to transfer
4. Click and hold file to drag it to the USB drive.
Using Mac OS X
1. Plug the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port.
NOTE: A No Name or Untitled disk icon will appears on your desktop.
2. Double-click your Macintosh HD (Hard Drive) icon to open it.
How To Download Things Onto A Flash Drive Free
3. Select files you want to drag over
4. Drag files from your Macintosh HD to the Removable Disk.
METHOD 3 - Send To (Windows) (top)
1. Plug the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port.
2. Navigate to the folders in your computer containing files you want to transfer.
3. Right-click on the file you want to transfer to your removable disk.
4. Click Send To and select the Removable Disk associated with the USB flash drive.
METHOD 4 - Copy and Paste using keyboard shortcuts (Windows) (top)
1. Plug the USB flash drive directly into an available USB port.
2. Click on your desired file to select it.
NOTE: You can select multiple files by holding down the Ctrl while left click on the desired files. Or you can select all files by holding down Ctrl and press A.
3. On your keyboard, hold down the Ctrl key and press C.
4. Navigate to the desired folder destination.
5. Hold down the Ctrl key and press V.