How to transfer data from flash drive to flash drive

To exchange information, users constantly move files between different computer disks, in particular, they need to know how to transfer data from a flash drive to a USB flash drive. This operation moves files and folders from one USB flash drive to another external USB drive.

In this case, the method of moving files is no different from the usual “copying” or “cutting” system method used on a computer’s hard drive. The only difference is that the process of copying or moving information from one drive to another may take longer

Depending on the situation, different software is used to perform this operation: the system tools of the Windows operating system or third-party applications. While performing such actions, the user may encounter some nuances, for example, when you need to transfer data from one flash drive to another on different computers.

In the instructions of this article, we will analyze several typical ways to transfer information between USB drives used in different conditions:

• on one computer to which there is physical access;
• between flash drives connected to different PCs.

Almost all modern computers are equipped with at least two USB connectors to which removable drives are connected. Data transfer takes place on one PC, various tools are used for this. Often, a computer hard drive (HDD or SSD) is used as an intermediary.

In some cases, it is necessary to transfer files and folders from one drive inserted into the appropriate port of a laptop or desktop PC to another USB device connected to another computer. With this method, information is transmitted via the Internet or over an internal network.

In this article, we will look at ways to copy files and folders from a USB flash drive to a USB flash drive, and also talk about how to move information from a USB flash drive to a USB flash drive in several ways, depending on the current situation.

How to transfer information from a USB flash drive to a USB flash drive using Windows

First, we will consider the simplest case – how to transfer data from a USB flash drive to a USB flash drive that are connected to one computer using the built-in tools of the Windows operating system.

Do the following:

1. Insert both USB devices into the appropriate ports on your computer.
2. Open Windows Explorer.
3. In the system file manager window, you will see that two new external drives have been connected to the PC.
4. Open the flash drive from which you want to copy files or folders.
5. Select the required objects.
6. Right-click, and from the context menu choose one of two options:

• Cut – the complete movement of elements from one flash drive to another, with the removal of this data from the source media.
• Copy – creates a copy of objects on another medium.

You can use an alternative option using keyboard keys. In this case, press “Ctrl” + “C” to copy the selected files, and press “Ctrl” + “X” to cut.

7. Open the target USB flash drive.
8. Click inside an empty space, and select “Paste” in the context menu, or press the “Ctrl” + “V” keys.
9. After some time spent copying or moving files and folders from a USB flash drive to a USB flash drive, all the selected data will be on the desired USB drive.

After the operation is completed, you can remove both flash drives from the computer’s connectors.

Using the built-in system tool – Explorer for copying or moving information does not require the installation of additional third-party software. This is a plus of this method.

If the PC has only one USB port, then similar actions are performed using the computer’s hard drive as an intermediary:

1. First, one flash drive is connected to the device.
2. From there, the data is copied or moved to the hard drive.
3. The original flash drive is turned off, and then a flash drive is inserted into this connector, designed to receive information.
4. Then the files and folders are moved or copied to another flash drive.

If there is one USB connector on the computer, you can use a splitter or hub inserted into this connector, which has several USB ports.

How to transfer data from a USB flash drive to a USB flash drive in Total Commander

Some users use third-party file managers in their work in the Windows environment, in particular, Total Commander. It is one of the most powerful and popular alternative solutions with advanced features designed to replace Windows Explorer.

Do the following:

1. Open the Total Commander window.
2. Select drives by entering the appropriate drive letter in the panel on the right and left.

It will be more convenient to open the data flash drive on the left, and the receiving media on the right.

3. Select the desired files and folders.

Click on the first file, hold down the “Shift” key, and then click on the last object. As a result, all files will become selected. To select individual files, press the “Ctrl” key, and then click on the desired elements.

4. Press the “F5” key to copy files, or press the “F6” key to move the selected data to another USB drive. You can use another method – the corresponding buttons located on the bottom panel of the Total Commander program are suitable for performing these operations.
5. In the copy (move) window, click on the “OK” button or change the options for this operation as you wish.

After that, data is copied or moved from a USB flash drive to a USB flash drive, and upon completion of the process, all this information will be on another disk – a USB drive.

How to transfer files from a flash drive to a flash drive over the Internet

In some cases, a user needs to transfer data from one flash drive to another user’s flash drive. At the same time, users are located in different places. The transfer process must be done without physical contact with the source computer.

We need an intermediary to help us move information over the Internet.

You can use several available options to perform this operation:

• file sharing between computers on the same network.
• cloud file storage, for example, Yandex Disk, Google Drive, and so on;
• specialized service for data exchange, for example, DropMeFiles ;
• transfer files over a peer-to-peer (P2P) network using a torrent file.

The data transfer operation, when using services on the Internet, takes place in the following order:

1. Files and folders need to be uploaded from your flash drive to a file sharing service or cloud storage.
2. You will receive a link that you need to transfer the link to another user in any convenient way.
3. Your partner downloads this data to their PC, saving it on their flash drive.

Moving files using torrents follows a similar pattern, only without uploading files to an intermediary service, data is exchanged directly between users without the help of a torrent tracker. Read about how to move data using a torrent client in an article on my site.

Article Conclusions

Many users have to copy or move data from flash drive to flash drive. This can be done using standard tools of the Windows operating system or third-party software. In some situations, it is necessary to transfer information to a USB flash drive connected to another computer located far from the original PC. File transfer is carried out over the network, using a file sharing service, or using a torrent file.