How to Transfer Files between Two USB Sticks: A Step-by-Step Guide

Transferring files between two USB sticks is a common task that many of us need to perform regularly, either at home or at work.

Whether you are transferring documents, music, photos, or videos, the process is fairly straightforward. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to transfer files between two USB sticks, both on a Windows PC and a MacBook, so whatever system you’re using, we’ve got the solution.

On Windows PC with 2 USB ports:

Step 1: Insert the two USB sticks into the USB ports on your computer. Wait for a few seconds to allow your computer to recognize the devices.

Step 2: Open the File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.

Step 3: Navigate to the files that you want to transfer. You can select multiple files by holding down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and clicking on each file.

Step 4: Once you have selected the files, right-click on them and select “Copy” or press Ctrl + C on your keyboard.

Step 5: Navigate to the USB stick that you want to transfer the files to, and right-click on an empty space inside the USB stick window. Select “Paste” or press Ctrl + V on your keyboard.

Step 6: Wait for the transfer to complete. The transfer speed may vary depending on the size of the files and the speed of your USB sticks.

On MacBook with 2 USB ports:

Step 1: Connect both USB sticks to your MacBook. Wait for a few seconds for the devices to be recognized.

Step 2: Open Finder by clicking on its icon on the Dock.

Step 3: Navigate to the files that you want to transfer. You can select multiple files by holding down the Command key on your keyboard and clicking on each file.

Step 4: Once you have selected the files, right-click on them and select “Copy” or press Command + C on your keyboard.

Step 5: Navigate to the USB stick that you want to transfer the files to, and right-click on an empty space inside the USB stick window. Select “Paste” or press Command + V on your keyboard.

Step 6: Wait for the transfer to complete. The transfer speed may vary depending on the size of the files and the speed of your USB sticks.

How to transfer files between USB drives when you only have one USB port

If you have only one USB port, you can still transfer files between two USB sticks by using a USB hub. A USB hub is a device that allows you to connect multiple USB devices to a single USB port on your computer.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Plug the USB hub into the USB port on your computer.

Step 2: Plug the two USB sticks into the USB hub.

Step 3: Open the File Explorer on your Windows PC or Finder on your MacBook.

Step 4: Navigate to the files that you want to transfer.

Step 5: Select the files that you want to transfer and copy them.

Step 6: Navigate to the USB stick that you want to transfer the files to and paste them.

Step 7: Wait for the transfer to complete.

Step 8: Once the transfer is complete, safely eject both USB sticks and the USB hub from your computer.

It’s important to note that the transfer speed may be slower when using a USB hub, especially if you are transferring large files. Additionally, not all USB hubs are created equal, so make sure to use a high-quality USB hub to ensure a stable and reliable transfer.

Troubleshooting file transfers between thumb drives

Transferring files between two USB drives is generally a straightforward process, but there are some common problems that people might come across during the transfer.

Here are some of the most common problems and how to solve them:

File corruption:

If the files on one of the USB drives become corrupted during the transfer, you may not be able to open them.

This can be caused by a variety of factors, including hardware failure, software errors, or an interrupted transfer.

To avoid file corruption, it’s important to make sure that both USB drives are in good condition and to always safely eject them from your computer before removing them.

Follow these steps to recover files from a corrupted USB drive

Insufficient space:

If the destination USB drive does not have enough space to accommodate all the files you want to transfer, the transfer will fail.

Make sure to check the available space on both USB drives before starting the transfer.

Formatting the USB drive will delete all the files on it and ensure it’s empty and ready to receive new files.

Slow transfer speed:

The transfer speed may be slow if you are transferring a large number of files or files with large file sizes.

To speed up the transfer, you can try closing any other programs or applications that are running on your computer or using a high-quality USB hub.

Compatibility issues:

If the USB drives use different file systems, such as FAT32 and NTFS, you may encounter compatibility issues when transferring files.

To avoid this, make sure that both USB drives use the same file system.

USB drive errors:

If one of the USB drives has errors or is damaged, the transfer may fail or be interrupted. To fix this, try running a scan and repair tool on the USB drive or formatting it before starting the transfer.

See how you can fix a damaged USB drive