How to Add Files to a Memory Stick or USB Drive

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Import files into a flash drive with this simple guide

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Using a Memory Stick on a PC

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Using a Memory Stick on a Mac

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Memory sticks--more commonly known as "flash drives"--are miniature portable hard drives capable of holding files, folders, pictures, and even entire programs or operating systems independent from your computer's hard drive. You can add files to a memory stick by plugging it into your computer's USB port and dragging files into its interface.

Quick Steps

Plug the USB drive into the USB port on your computer.
Open the File Explorer and select This PC.
Select the USB drive under Devices and drives.
Drag and drop or copy and paste files into the USB drive folder.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Memory Stick on a PC

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1
Locate your PC's USB port. USB ports are rectangular with a solid piece of plastic on the upper half of the slot and an empty space on the bottom. The port should have a graphic of three branching arrows pointing upward (or downward, depending on your PC) next to it.
- If you're using a desktop, your USB ports are most likely integrated into the CPU, while laptop USB ports are usually on the left or right edges of the casing.
Make sure the solid piece on the inside of the memory stick's port is on the bottom when you plug it in.
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3
Wait for the memory stick's interface to appear. This may take a few minutes if this is your first time installing this memory stick on your PC.
- If the memory stick doesn't automatically open, double-click "My Computer" and find your memory stick's name under the "Devices and drives" section. Double-click its name to open the memory stick window.
4
Select the files you would like to add to the memory stick. If your files are all in the same place, simply click and drag your cursor across your files until you've highlighted all of them.
- To search for a file on your PC, open the Start menu and type the file's name into the search bar at the bottom of the menu. If you're using Cortana, the field should say "Ask me anything".
5
Hold down Ctrl and tap C to copy your files.
- If you don't want to save your files on your computer, just click-and-drag your selected files over to the memory stick window and drop them there.
- Some memory sticks will duplicate your files by default, leaving the original copies of the files on your computer.
This will select the memory stick as the destination for your files.
This will add them to your memory stick.
Depending on the size of your files, adding them to the memory stick can take anywhere from a couple of seconds to hours.
9
Find the memory stick icon in the lower right-hand corner toolbar. This toolbar is in the same area as the clock. The icon resembles the outline of a memory stick with a check mark next to it, and it should produce the phrase "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" when you hover over it with your cursor.
- You may have to click the upward-facing arrow in the far left side of this toolbar in order to see the flash drive icon.
10
Click the memory stick icon to eject your memory stick. Ejecting your memory stick before physically removing it from your computer is important, because failing to do so can corrupt files both on your computer and on the memory stick.
- You can also right-click the memory stick's name in the "My Computer" directory and select "Eject [Memory Stick Name]".
Do this gently, or you might damage your memory stick. You have successfully added files to your memory stick!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Memory Stick on a Mac

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1
Locate your Mac's USB port. USB ports are rectangular with a solid piece of plastic on the upper half of the slot and an empty space on the bottom. The slot should have a graphic of three branching arrows pointing upward next to it.
- If you're using a desktop, your Mac's USB ports are probably integrated into the display casing, while Mac laptops have USB ports on the left or right side of the keyboard casing.
Make sure the solid piece on the inside of the memory stick's port is on the bottom when you plug it in.
3
Wait for the memory stick's icon to appear on your desktop. This may take a few minutes if this is your first time installing this memory stick on your Mac.
- If your memory stick's icon doesn't show up, open your Finder and look for the memory stick's name in the left-hand side of the window. It should be under the "Devices" tab.
This will open the memory stick's interface, to which you can add files the same way you would add files to another folder.
5
Select the files you want to add to the memory stick. If your files are all in the same place, simply click and drag your cursor across your files until you've highlighted all of them.
- To find a file manually, open the Finder and type the file's name into the search bar in the right-hand corner of the window. You can open the Finder by clicking the word "Finder" in the upper left-hand corner of your screen, or you can click the blue face icon in your dock.
6
Hold down ⌘ Command and tap C to copy your files.
- If you don't want to save your files on your computer, just click-and-drag your selected files over to the memory stick window and drop them there.
- Some memory sticks will duplicate your files by default, leaving the original copies of the files on your computer.
This will select the memory stick as the destination for your files.
This will add them to your memory stick.
Depending on the size of your files, adding them to the memory stick can take anywhere from a couple of seconds to hours.
10
Hold down ⌘ Command and tap E to eject your memory stick. Ejecting your memory stick before physically removing it from your computer is important, because failing to do so can corrupt files both on your computer and on the memory stick.^{[1]XResearch source}
- You can also two-finger click the memory stick's name in the Finder or on your desktop and select "Eject [Memory Stick Name]".
Do this gently, or you might damage your memory stick. You have successfully added files to your memory stick!

Community Q&A

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Question
Can you add the files at different times?
Community Answer
Yep! Unlike with a CD-R, you can add files to your memory stick whenever you like. The only restriction on the addition of files is the memory stick's remaining memory.
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Question
How can I update a folder already stored on a memory stick?
Community Answer
(1) Plug the memory stick into your computer. (2) Drag the folder to your desktop. (3) Drag the files into the folder. (4) Put the folder back into the memory stick. (5) Safely eject the memory stick.
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Not Helpful 6 Helpful 9
Question
How do I transfer pictures from a tablet to a memory stick?
Community Answer
Generally, you'll have to plug your tablet into your computer, then transfer your photos to your computer, then transfer them to your memory stick. You could also just plug both devices into your computer and transfer them from your tablet straight to the memory stick. Finally, you could buy an OTG cable and use it to plug a memory stick into the USB port on your tablet.
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Tips

Memory sticks can have anywhere from a couple hundred megabytes of storage to hundreds of gigabytes; larger portable hard drives can hold up to five terabytes.
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Memory sticks are also known as flash drives and thumb drives.
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Your experience and setup may vary with your operating system. In this case, documentation is often readily available, so don't be afraid to use your web browser.
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Warnings

Don't store extremely personal information on your memory stick if you intend to carry it with you at school or work. If you lose the memory stick, other people have access to that information.
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Be careful with your memory stick, especially if the USB connector is not retractable--damaging its exterior or interior parts may prevent you from accessing its files.
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