2 Ways to Test a USB's Speed on a Computer

Tests to see how fast your USB port is

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

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This wikiHow teaches you how to find the read and write speeds of a USB drive in Windows or macOS.

Quick Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

1

Connect the USB drive you want to test. USB ports are usually on the side or front of laptops, and on the front or back of desktop computers.
2
Download the USBDeview zip file. Here's how:
- Go to http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html in a web browser.
- Scroll down to the “Download USBDeview” links ( Download USBDeview and Download USBDeview for x64 systems ).
- Click the link that pertains to your version of Windows.
- If the download does not begin automatically, click Save File .
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This opens the File Explorer.
It’s in the left panel. This displays the contents of your Downloads folder in the right panel.
It’s called USBDeview.zip or USBDeviewx64.zip , depending on the version. A menu will expand.
The "Extract Compressed Folders" window will appear.
The contents of the zip file will extract. When finished, you’ll be brought to the folder containing the installation files.
A security warning will appear.
The application will launch.
You may have to scroll down the list to find it.
It’s at the top-left corner of the window.
It’s near the bottom of the menu.
USBDeview will now check the read and write speeds for this drive. The results will appear next to “Write Speed” and “Read Speed.”
This closes the speed test.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

1

Connect the USB drive you want to test. USB ports are usually on the side or front of laptops, and on the front or back of desktop computers.
You’ll usually find it on the Dock.
It’s at the top-right corner of the App Store. A list of matching results will appear.
It’s the black, gray, and blue speedometer icon.
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Click Install App . This will install the app on your Mac. Once the installation is complete, the “Install App” button will change to “OPEN.”
- You may have to enter your administrator password to begin the download.
This launches the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test app.
It’s between the two meters at the center of the app.
It’ll be in the left column.
The test will begin. Once the test is finished, the read and write speeds will appear at the bottom of each meter.