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Copying files to a USB drive or external hard drive
Summary:  Learn how to copy your files to a USB drive (such as a memory stick or flash drive) or an external hard drive.

On this page, learn how to copy your files to a USB drive or an external hard drive:
USB drive
External hard drive

Using Macintosh OS X

To copy your files to a USB drive (such as a memory stick or flash drive) or an external hard drive:

  1. USB drive: Insert the USB drive directly into an available USB port.
    External hard drive: Insert the USB cable of the external hard drive directly into an available USB port.
    A USB Disk icon appears on your desktop.
  2. Double-click the USB Disk icon USB disk icon to open it.
  3. Double-click your Macintosh HD (Hard Drive) icon to open it.
  4. To copy files, drag files from your Macintosh Hard Drive to the USB flash drive or external hard drive.
  5. To eject the USB drive or external hard drive, drag the USB icon to the trash.

Using Windows Vista

To copy your files to a USB drive (such as a memory stick or flash drive) or an external hard drive:

  1. USB drive: Insert the USB drive directly into an available USB port.
    External hard drive: Insert the USB cable of the external hard drive directly into an available USB port.
    Note: In the lower right-hand side of your screen, you may see a message indicating that a new device has been detected. It may take up to ten seconds to be detected.
  2. If the USB or External drive folder doesn't automatically open, do the following:
    • Click Start, then select Computer (see Figure 1).
      Figure 1
      Figure 1.

    • Double-click your USB drive icon or your external hard drive icon. The name of your external drive may vary. For example (see Figure 2): Removeable Disk (E:).
      Figure 2.
      Figure 2.

  3. Once your USB or external drive folder is open, open the folder that contains the files you want to copy to the USB or external drive.
  4. Right-click on the files you want to copy, then select Copy (see Figure 3).
    Figure 3.
    Figure 3.

  5. Return to the USB or external drive window, right-click within the window, then select Paste (see Figure 4).
    Figure 4.
    Figure 4.

  6. Important: To safely remove the drive, right-click on the USB drive or external hard drive, then click Safely Remove (see Figure 5).
    Figure 5
    Figure 5.

  7. You'll notice that the USB drive or external hard drive disappears from the list of available drives on your computer. It is now safe to remove the USB drive or external hard drive from the USB port.

Using Windows XP

To copy your files to a USB drive (such as a memory stick or flash drive) or an external hard drive:

  1. USB drive: Insert the USB drive directly into an available USB port.
    External hard drive: Insert the USB cable of the external hard drive directly into an available USB port.
    Note: In the lower right-hand side of your screen, you may see a message indicating that a new device has been detected. It may take about 10 seconds until you see “Device is ready for use.”
  2. If the USB or External drive folder doesn't automatically open, do the following:
    • Click Start, then select My Computer.
    • Double-click your USB drive icon or your external hard drive icon. The name of your external drive may vary. For example (see Figure 6): UDISK 2.0 (E:).
      Figure 6
      Figure 6.


  3. Once your USB or external drive folder is open, open the folder that contains the files you want to copy to the USB or external drive.
  4. Right-click on the files you want to copy, then select Copy (see Figure 7).
    Figure 7.
    Figure 7.

  5. Return to the USB or external drive window, right-click within the window, then click Paste (see Figure 8).
    Figure 8
    Figure 8.

  6. Important: To safely remove the drive, return to the My Computer window, right-click on the USB drive or external hard drive, then click Eject (see Figure 9).
    Figure 9.
    Figure 9.

  7. You'll notice that the USB drive or external hard drive disappears from the list of available drives on your computer. It is now safe to remove the USB drive or external hard drive from the USB port.

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