How to Work a Flash Drive

Thumb drives (flash drives) are convenient and inexpensive methods for physically transporting data. Many people use flash drives every day but the use of these convenient drives intimidates those with less technology experience. Do not be intimidated, though. Using these drives only requires a few basic steps.
1.
Step 1
A flash drive cover that slides onto one end

A flash drive cover that slides onto one end

Visually inspect the flash drive. There are usually two types of flash drive--1) the type with a cover that slides over the USB tip from the side (pivoting), and 2) the type with a cover sliding over one end (simple cover). Other variations make the USB plug flip out like a switchblade or that disguise the plug in other ways.
2.
Step 2
A flash drive that pivots like a pocket knife

A flash drive that pivots like a pocket knife

Remove the cover to expose the plug. The pivoting type moves off the plug like a pocketknife blade. The simple type may be removed by sliding the cover outwards.
3.
Step 3

Inspect the USB plug on the drive. Looking directly down into the tip of the plug, you will see that half of the inside of the plug is empty and half is plastic. On the plastic, there are four metal contacts towards the center of the plug. These contacts will touch the ones in the other plug on the computer.
4.
Step 4

Find the USB port that has a symbol that resembles a three-branched tree next to or above it. The USB plug also has a piece of plastic in it, but the plastic inside does not touch the metal since the USB drive will surround the plastic inside the USB plug. This plastic piece inside the USB port will have a side with four metal contacts that will come into contact with the four metal contacts in the port.
5.
Step 5

Plug in the drive. Many computers will automatically recognize a USB port.
6.
Step 6

Find the drive manually if there is no pop-up window that instructs the user to use the drive. On a Windows-based machine, click on "Start," then click on "Computer," and double click then on the drive location by scrolling to the name of the drive (usually a brand name). This will expose files that can be opened or added to by drag and drop or by saving to this location.
7.
Step 7

If the drive still is not recognized, go to the Microsoft download site to find drivers or to the site of the company that made the device for product support.