1. How to use USB Flash
Drive
Convenient and portable
file storage device.
This document is used for Newcastle University Alumni training only
Newcastle University | Alumni
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni 1

2. What is USB flash drive?
A USB flash drive is a type of portable USB drive that stores and transfers data located on the
computer hard disk. USB flash drive working similar to floppies in that information can be stored
and written on them. This kind of mobile device enables you to read, write, copy, delete and move
data from USB flash drive to your hard disk drive and back again. They do not require any type of
software installation (with USB 2.0 or higher), all that is required is a USB port with which all
modern computers are equipped, (Flash drives are also referred to as jump drives, thumb drives,
pin drives and USB drives.)
Steps to use USB flash drive safely and
effectively.
Step 1; Insert USB flash drive into the USB Port of your computer.
Step 2; Wait for a second till the hardware automatically installed in your computer.
Newcastle University | Alumni
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni 2

3. Step 3; Generally, in most cases, an Options Window will automatically pop up and
appears some options to choose, under this situation, suggestions being given to
choose “Open folder to view files” then Click “OK” or double click “Open folder to
view files” to open up the USB flash disk.
Step 4; Select a file that you would like to manipulate.
How to remove the USB flash drive safely?
First, on the right bottom corner of the screen, choose a small icon which include a
green tick and click it.
Second, choose “Eject USB DISK” and click.
Newcastle University | Alumni
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni 3

4. Third, if a note pops up like the situation underneath, then it means the USB disk
could be safely removed.
Why people are not suggesting plugging out
the USB flash drive directly?
Actually, there is no physical danger from removing a USB disk without
stopping it. USB was designed to be hot swappable. However, plug out a USB flash
drive directly may cause file lose, safely remove the USB flash disk is a just a safe
way to prevent accidental loss of files.
Newcastle University | Alumni
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/alumni 4