2 Easy Ways to Move Data From a Flash Drive to a Computer

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A quick guide to moving data from a USB thumb drive onto a computer or laptop
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Do you want to move files on a flash drive onto a computer? With most flash drives, you'll just need to plug it into a free USB slot on your computer to open it. To transfer data, you can simply select all the files within the flash drive and drag it onto your computer. Once transferred, you can delete the files on the flash drive by dragging it into the trash. This wikiHow will teach you how to move files and folders from a flash drive onto your Windows or Mac computer.

Things You Should Know

  • For Windows, open the flash drive in File Explorer. Drag and drop files from your flash drive to your PC.
  • For Mac, open the flash drive in the Finder. Drag and drop the files from your flash drive to your computer.
  • To delete the files on the flash drive, select all the files. Right-click (or command-click) and select "Delete".
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Windows

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  1. Your flash drive should fit into one of the rectangular USB ports on your computer or laptop.
    • Most flash drives only fit one way, so don't force the flash drive; if it won't fit, rotate it 180 degrees and try again.
  2. Open the File Explorer . Press the Windows key + E to open the File Explorer. You can also open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar. [1]
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  3. It's a computer-shaped icon on the left side of the File Explorer window. This will open a list of your computer's attached drives, including your flash drive.
    • You may have to scroll down on the left-hand column of options in order to find This PC .
  4. Under the Devices and drives header, double-click the name of your flash drive. This will usually be the flash drive's manufacturer's name and/or the model number.
    • If you don't see your flash drive, make sure you connected it properly.
  5. Click an individual file to select it, or hold down CTRL while clicking each file that you want to select.
    • You can also select every file in the flash drive by pressing CTRL + A .
  6. You can drag the files into a folder on the left panel, or you can open a new File Explorer window opened to your desired destination. When you drop the files into the new location, they will be copied there.
    • If you want to remove the files from the flash drive, right-click the highlighted files and select Delete
  7. If you don't want to drag and drop your files, you can transfer them using the Move to button instead. Do the following:
    • Highlight all files you want to transfer.
    • Click the Home tab at the top.
    • Click Move to .
    • Select a destination from recently opened, or click Choose location… to find one.
      • You can also click Make New Folder in the Choose location… window.
    • Click Move . The file(s) will be moved immediately.
  8. Eject your flash drive . In the flash drive's window, click the Manage tab at the top of the window, then click Eject in the resulting toolbar. Once you receive a notification that the flash drive is safe to remove, you can physically remove it from your computer by gently pulling on it.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Mac

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  1. Your flash drive should fit into one of the rectangular USB ports on the side of your Mac (MacBook) or the back of the Mac's monitor (iMac). [2]
    • Most flash drives only fit one way, so don't force the flash drive; if it won't fit, rotate it 180 degrees and try again.
    • If your Mac has a set of oval ports instead of a traditional rectangular USB port, you'll need to buy a USB 3.0 to USB-C (or Thunderbolt 3) adapter in order to plug your flash drive into it.
  2. Open
    Mac Finder
    the Finder .     You can find this in your dock; it looks like a blue and grey face.
  3. Click your flash drive's name in the left-hand column of options in the Finder window. This will open the flash drive's contents in the Finder window.
  4. Click an individual file to select it, or hold down CMD while clicking each individual file that you want to select.
    • You can also press CMD + A to select every file in the flash drive.
  5. You can drag the files onto your desktop or into your preferred folder. When you drop the files into the new location, they will be copied there.
    • If you want to delete the files from the flash drive, drag the files into the Trash.
  6. Transfer files with copy and paste (optional). If you don't want to drag and drop your files, you can copy and paste them into a new location instead. Do the following:
    • Highlight all files you want to transfer.
    • Click Edit in the top menu.
    • Click Copy (number) Items .
    • Open the folder where you want your files.
    • Command-click the area in the folder.
    • Click Paste (number) Items .
  7. Go back to the Finder window, find your flash drive's name on the left-hand side, and click the Eject button to the right of the flash drive's name. Once the flash drive's name disappears, you may safely remove the flash drive from your computer by gently pulling on it.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you transfer data from an external hard drive to a computer?
    Chiara Corsaro
    Phone & Computer Repair Technician
    Chiara Corsaro is the General Manager and Apple Certified Mac & iOS Technician for macVolks, Inc., an Apple Authorized Service Provider located in the San Francisco Bay Area. macVolks, Inc. was founded in 1990, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating, and is part of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).
    Chiara Corsaro
    Phone & Computer Repair Technician
    Expert Answer
    The easiest way to do this is to plug in your external hard drive, open it on the computer, and drag the files from your hard drive on to your computer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do you move files to a new folder on a Mac?
    Chiara Corsaro
    Phone & Computer Repair Technician
    Chiara Corsaro is the General Manager and Apple Certified Mac & iOS Technician for macVolks, Inc., an Apple Authorized Service Provider located in the San Francisco Bay Area. macVolks, Inc. was founded in 1990, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating, and is part of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).
    Chiara Corsaro
    Phone & Computer Repair Technician
    Expert Answer
    Copy the files you want to move. Then, click option, command, and "V" to copy over your files to the new folder.
    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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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
  • Question
    How do I transfer pictures from a flash drive to my computer?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Put the flash drive in, then open the file browser and find the flash drive. Find the pictures you want on the flash drive and drag these across to your computer. This will make copies for you onto the desktop or whichever location you've chosen. Follow the instructions on your computer for safe removal of the flash drive.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Tips

      • Flash drives can be used for several purposes other than basic file storage, including installing operating systems and backing up information.
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      Warnings

      • Make sure to always eject and remove the flash drive safely; otherwise, the flash drive can be corrupted or erased.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-and-open-file-explorer-ef370130-1cca-9dc5-e0df-2f7416fe1cb1
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/connect-storage-devices-mac-mchl027f1d66/mac

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Mac:
      1. Open Finder .
      2. Open the flash drive folder.
      3. Select files to transfer.
      4. Click Edit and select Copy .
      5. Open a folder on your Mac.
      6. Press Option + Command + V .

      Windows: 1. Open File Explorer .
      2. Open the flash drive folder.
      3. Select files to transfer.
      4. Click Home .
      5. Click Move to .
      6. Click Choose location .
      7. Select a folder and click Move .

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