How to Copy Files to an External Hard Drive: Quick & Easy Steps

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Move files from any PC to your external hard drive
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Trying to copy files from your computer to an external, portable drive? Whether you're using Windows or Mac, the process is pretty easy! Copying your files over to an external drive is a great way to backup your files or move your files to a new PC. This wikiHow guide will show you how to copy files that are on your computer to an external hard drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), flash drive, or memory card.

Moving and Copying Files Onto an External Disk

On Windows, open Files Explore to copy files from your computer to your external drive. On Mac, open Finder to move your files to an external drive. Note that you may need an adapter if you don't have the right port for your external drive cable.

Section 1 of 3:

Connecting a Hard Drive

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  1. Most external hard drives use a USB cable to connect to your computer, but you may find that your computer doesn't have a USB-A port (the typical rectangular port).
    • Mac computers and some Windows computers use oval USB-C ports instead of traditional USB-A ports. [1]
    • Likewise, it's good to know if your external hard drive uses a USB-C cable when your computer only has USB-A ports.
    • You can buy an adapter if needed. If your computer has a USB-C port instead of a USB-A port, you'll need to buy a USB-C to USB-A adapter for your computer. You can find these online and in some tech stores (e.g., Best Buy).
    • Many modern laptops have a mini SD-card reader that allows you to insert a small SD card. If your device doesn't have that slot, use an adapter that connects to your computer or laptop using a USB cable.
  2. This will usually be the USB end of the cable. USB-A connectors only fit one way, so don't force it if it doesn't fit; instead, rotate it 180 degrees and try connecting it again. USB-C connectors can be inserted in either orientation.
    • If you're using an adapter, first connect the end of the adapter that fits in your computer to your computer, then plug the end of the external hard drive's cable into the free end of the adapter.
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  3. Depending on the external hard drive, the cable may already be attached; if not, attach the free end of the cable to the port into which it fits on the external hard drive.
  4. Depending on both the external hard drive and your computer's operating system, you may not be able to use your drive until you change its format to work with your computer . [2]
    • Both Windows and Mac users can select exFAT as the file system when formatting the drive. This is ideal if you want to use your hard drive with both Windows and Mac computers.
    • Formatting an external hard drive will erase everything on it.
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Section 2 of 3:

Moving & Copying Files on Windows

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  1. Click the File Explorer app icon, which resembles a yellow and blue folder, in your computer's taskbar at the bottom of the screen. Copying files to an external drive is a great way to backup your information and free up disk space .
    • If you don't see the File Explorer app icon here, you can open File Explorer by pressing ⊞ Win + E . [3]
    • This method works for any type of external drive (hard drives, solid state drives, USB flash drives, SD cards).
  2. Using the left-hand panel of options, go to the folder where you have the files you want to copy to the external hard drive.
    • For example, if your files are in the Documents folder, you would click Documents on the left to open the Documents folder.
  3. To do so, click and drag your mouse cursor across the contents of the folder. [4]
    • You can also hold down Ctrl and click each file you want to copy to select them individually.
    • To highlight everything in a given folder, press Ctrl + A .
  4. This will allow you to copy the files to your external drive. [5]
  5. It's on the left side of the File Explorer window.
  6. You'll see it below the "Devices and drives" heading in the middle of the page.
    • If you don't see anything below the "Devices and drives" heading, click the heading to expand it.
    • If you can't find your external hard drive here, try using a different USB slot for your hard drive.
  7. Click a blank space in the external hard drive's window, then press Ctrl + V to paste in the copied files. [6]
  8. Depending on your files' sizes, this process time will vary. You'll see a small window showing you the progress and estimated time remaining.
  9. Once your files are done copying to the hard drive, safely ejecting your hard drive will ensure that no files are lost or corrupted: [7]
    • Clickin the lower-right side of the screen in the taskbar.
    • Right-click the flash drive icon in the pop-up menu.
    • Click the Eject option.
    • Disconnect your external hard drive.
      • If you tested that the files you moved to your external are working and aren't corrupted, you can delete the original files on your computer.
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Section 3 of 3:

Moving & Copying Files on Mac

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  1. Click the Finder app icon, which resembles a blue face, in your Mac's Dock. [8]
    • This method works for any type of external drive (hard drives, solid state drives, USB flash drives, SD cards).
    • You can check your hard drive space before copying files over if needed.
  2. Open the folder where you keep your files, then click and drag your mouse cursor across the contents of the folder.
    • You can also hold down ⌘ Command and click each file you want to copy to select them individually.
    • If you can't find your files, click All My Files on the left side of the Finder window to browse all of your Mac's folders.
  3. 3
    Drag and drop files into the external hard drive . If you have multiple Finder windows open (1 showing your external drive and the other navigated to the files you want to copy), you can drag the files here. Alternatively, you can also drag the files to the external hard drive's icon on your desktop.
    • According to Computer & Tech Specialist Luigi Oppido, if you can't do that, or if the files bounce back, you might need to format the external to match your Mac
  4. Depending on your files' sizes, this process time will vary. You'll see a small window showing you the progress and estimated time remaining.
    • When they are done transferring over, it's a good idea to make sure the files aren't corrupted and work by opening them.
  5. It's an upward-facing arrow to the right of your hard drive's name in Finder. Doing so ensures that you can remove your hard drive without risking file loss or corruption. [9]
    • Once you see the external hard drive's name disappear from the Finder side pane, you can physically disconnect it from your Mac.
    • If you tested that the files you moved to your external are working and aren't corrupted, you can delete the original files on your computer.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Will the external hard drive remove duplicate photos when transfering?
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    No, the transfer process won't remove duplicate photos or files. You'll need to remove duplicate files before the transfer. Or, if the file you're copying to your hard drive from your computer is already on your hard drive and has the same name, you'll see a window appear asking if you want to skip the duplicate.
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  • Question
    Can I delete data on my hard drive
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you can either erase the entire drive by formatting it, or you can delete individual files by opening the hard drive in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    Can I copy an entire application from my internal drive to an external hard drive?
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    Yes! Make sure to include the application and any necessary files for running the application. Note that the application may run slower if you launch it from an external drive.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109523
      2. ↑ https://www.bu.edu/comtech/students/technical-guides/hardware/how-to-format-hard-drives/
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-explorer-in-windows-ef370130-1cca-9dc5-e0df-2f7416fe1cb1
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/move-your-files-to-a-new-windows-pc-using-an-external-storage-device-dd139b2e-bc73-4431-8e6e-c96e10dffdf5
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/move-your-files-to-a-new-windows-pc-using-an-external-storage-device-dd139b2e-bc73-4431-8e6e-c96e10dffdf5
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/move-your-files-to-a-new-windows-pc-using-an-external-storage-device-dd139b2e-bc73-4431-8e6e-c96e10dffdf5
      7. ↑ https://www.ias.edu/itg/content/safely-ejecting-external-storage-devices
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/connect-storage-devices-mac-mchl027f1d66/mac
      9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/connect-storage-devices-mac-mchl027f1d66/mac

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Connect the drive to the computer.
      2. Format the drive if necessary.
      3. Open File Explorer.
      4. Go to the folder with the files you want to copy.
      5. Select the files and press Ctrl + C .
      6. Click This PC .
      7. Open the external drive.
      8. Right-click a blank area and press Ctrl + V .

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