10 Actually Cool Uses for a USB Drive

The base USB drive — supplanted by the download and the cloud sync , but still utilitarian in all kind of ways . If you ’ve flummox an old drive lying around , here are some of the ways you’re able to put it to use that do n’t just involvesharing old motion-picture show to your mommy .

1) Set up a portable Linux system

Many differentLinux distroswill gayly function from a USB drive , which means you ’re effectively manoeuver a whole computer system packed on to a portable disk — you’re able to take the stick with you wherever you go , along with your save up file cabinet and installed apps , and plug it into any computing equipment with a spare USB porthole to pluck up again where you leave off .

We ’ve write a full scout on how to do this — with theRaspberry Pi Pixel OSas our example Linux distro — so check that out for further entropy . instruction for many of the other distros , includingUbuntuandKali , are freely uncommitted on the entanglement , and you do n’t have to be a technical expert to get the OS mental image downloaded and write to USB .

2) Take your apps with you

If running a whole new O sound a mo too daunting , you could quell in Windows but keep the majority of your apps on a USB drive — this mean they stay out of the way of life of your main operating arrangement and wo n’t clutter up up the chief hard drive unnecessarily . Most popular apps can be run in this way , and we’vepreviously indite a full guideto how to set it up .

The benefit are the same as running Linux from a USB stick : The power to take your files and apps everywhere you go . As long as you know you ’ve got a personal computer with a spare USB embrasure at your finish , it ’s a lot easier to throw a USB stick in your bag than a full laptop . To get lead off and to see the range of lotion on pass , head tothe PortableApps.com portal .

3) Pack for a trip

We ’ve talked about how cloud services are now more often used to store files than USB thumb drives , but there ’s one time that consume the strong-arm file can be more useful — on vacation . Keep your key written document with you at all times and you do n’t have to be hunting around for a Wi - Fi connection or wait for a dull and expensive cellular data link to work .

Okay , you ’re still go to have to find a computer with a USB drive at your hotel or a local net coffeehouse , but it ’s certainly wanton than stuff around a laptop , and you do n’t have the hassle and security offspring of stress to typewrite in your swarm report passwords on a strange electronic computer . Even if it ’s just a backup with an itinerary on , it ’s deserving putting together .

4) Clean up viruses

Should your computer ( or one you ’ve been called on to desexualize ) get collide with by a virus , cleaning up the lot is n’t always straight — the more advanced malware programs out there can take steps to make certain they ’re difficult to find and immune to the most common removal techniques . Some might stop you getting online or even getting into your PC .

That ’s where a USB control stick clean up kit comes in : Get one or more on - demand scanner on the drive , and you ’ve got a portable computer virus removal tool you’re able to take anywhere . The likes ofAnvi Rescue Disk , ClamWin Portable , Avira PC Cleaner , andEmsisoft Emergency Kitare all free to use and will run jubilantly from a USB movement plugged into the infect machine .

5) Create a recovery drive

Few tech problems can make your stomach pass like a computing equipment that wo n’t reboot up , but a USB retrieval ride can help geta Windows machineback on its feet again . You do need to get the recovery drive set up in progression for this to make for .

To do it search for “ produce a recovery drive ” from the taskbar then pluck the top pick when it come along . Select Back up system file to the recovery ride , then Next . After plug in a USB drive , choose it from the tilt , and pick Next then make . When the process is complete , you ’ll have a drive you’re able to boot from in any future emergencies .

6) Boost the speed of your system

windowpane feature a engineering calledReadyBoost , where a USB drive can be used as a phonograph recording stash to speed up read and write times . It ’s not quite as effective or as widely deployed on more mod system , but it ’s still deserving a endeavour , and can make a pregnant difference of opinion to functioning if you ’re dealing with an olderWindows laptopor desktop .

To get go with ReadyBoost , pop your USB drive into a Windows computer , then open up File Explorer , right - press the drive , and take Properties . get to the ReadyBoost check and follow the didactics on screen to machinate the drive — the dialog box should tell you if the drive and your system are suitable for ReadyBoost , and if you ’ll see any welfare .

7) Get into your accounts

You need a sure kind of USB stick for this exceptional whoremaster , rather than just any USB movement you have lie down around the house , but it ’s still a cool use of the technology to be mindful of . First up you require to grease one’s palms a special USB control stick that ’s compatible with the FIDO Universal 2nd Factor ( U2F ) standard ( you ’ll finda bunch of them on Amazonfor not much money ) .

And why would you bribe one ? Well , after followinga simple setup procedure , you’re able to expend your newfangled USB drive to firmly log into account including Google , Dropbox , Dashlane , and others — the memory stick acts as a two - factor authentication layer , proving you are who you say you are when you signal in , in accession to your username and password .

8) Apply for a job or make new connections

Here ’s another occasion when packing Indian file onto a USB drive rather than tie to them in the cloud can be effective : When use for jobs . you may include your CV , some good example of your work , and maybe a TV presentation too , and pack everything up cleverly and transmit it to prospective employers as one way of standing out from the crowd .

Even if you ’re happily employ , USB sticks can make for effective networking tools . If you buy up enough brassy USB drive , and load them up with your physical contact detail and portfolio , then you’re able to give them out at event like byplay visiting card . You caneven buybusiness cards that come witha tiny USB stick built in , if you think they ’ll be useful and the pass catcher trust you enough to not seize you ’re trying to infect their computers .

9) Browse the web safely

We ’ve already talk about running apps or even a whole O from a USB joystick , but there ’s another related enjoyment for a excess cause — cleaning up your course when browsing the regular web orthe cryptic vane . seat OSis basically an incognito system that can be run from a USB movement , wipe out all traces of your body process once the stick gets pulled out and flip off .

If you want to plunge into the globe of the Tor internet browser and the inscrutable web then that ’s possible too . Another of the features that Tails OS bring to the tabular array isbuilt - in encoding , which mean it ’s going to be just about impossible for anyone else to get at your files , e-mail , and instant messages , even if you should go out your portable USB drive behind on the wagon train .

10) Send someone a USB mixtape

The eraof the mixtapeis reasonably much over now , but you could rage against the demise of the brightness level by get a few of your favorite line on a USB drive in MP3 form , then fall it over to someone special who you call up might appreciate your taste in euphony . You could even add a handwritten caterpillar track listing and liner notes to give the package that retro feel .

A Holy Writ of admonition though : Even if you ’ve get gigabytes upon gigabyte of room free on the USB peg , try and limit yourself to an album ’s worth of euphony , otherwise your friend is plump to be overwhelmed with all the new euphony they involve to drink . verify you spend a while agonising over the performing order too , asit ’s of the essence to the whole projection .

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Image: Alex Cranz/Gizmodo