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On Windows 10 or 11, copy the files you want to preserve to the USB drive, check that the expected files appear there, and compare SHA256 hashes when you need to verify that a file’s contents match the original. Keep the originals until you have checked the copy, then safely eject the drive before unplugging it.
1. Copy files to the USB drive without removing the originals
- Connect the USB drive and open File Explorer.
- Browse to the files or folders you want to back up. Windows’ examples include Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Favorites, Music, Pictures, and Videos. If your files are in more than one location, repeat this step for each location.
- Select the items, copy them, then paste them into the USB drive in File Explorer. Wait for the transfer to finish.
- Keep the original files in place. A backup should be another copy; moving files to the USB drive can leave you with no separate copy if the drive is lost or fails.
These Windows 10 and 11 steps follow Microsoft’s guidance for transferring files with external storage. They are not a verified macOS workflow.
2. Check that the expected files are on the drive
In File Explorer, open the USB drive and browse to the destination folder. Confirm that the folders and files you intended to copy are present. Opening a few representative files is also a practical way to check that they are readable.
This visual check confirms that items appear at the destination, but it does not establish that their contents are byte-for-byte identical to the originals. It also cannot tell you whether you forgot to select an important file.
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3. Compare file contents with SHA256 hashes
For a stronger check on Windows, use PowerShell’s Get-FileHash to calculate a SHA256 hash for an original file and its USB copy. A hash is a value calculated from a file’s contents; matching values indicate that the two compared files have the same content. Microsoft describes hash values as a cryptographically secure way to verify that a file’s contents have not changed.
- Open PowerShell.
- Run this command with the path to the original file:
Get-FileHash -LiteralPath 'C:pathtooriginal.ext' -Algorithm SHA256 - Run the same command for the copy on the USB drive, replacing the path:
Get-FileHash -LiteralPath 'E:pathtocopy.ext' -Algorithm SHA256 - Compare the SHA256 values shown for the two files. If they match, the contents match. Repeat for each file you want to check.
Replace E: with the USB drive’s actual letter in File Explorer. The hash comparison applies only to the files you compare; it does not verify that you selected every file you meant to back up. Microsoft’s Get-FileHash documentation identifies SHA256 as the default algorithm and notes that MD5 and SHA1 are no longer considered secure against attack or tampering.
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- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
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4. Safely eject the USB drive
When copying and checking are complete, use Windows’ system-tray option for Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media. Wait for Windows to confirm that it is safe to remove the device, then unplug it. Microsoft recommends safe removal to reduce the risk of data loss; see its Windows safe-removal instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. Keep the USB copy in perspective
A USB drive gives you an additional copy, but it is still only one backup. The UK National Cyber Security Centre recommends keeping multiple copies and notes that external storage can be useful where internet access is unreliable. Store the drive securely and consider keeping another copy separately, such as an online backup. Its guidance is for small organisations, but the multiple-copy principle is useful for personal files too: NCSC guidance on backing up data.
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Copying rather than moving also preserves the source while you check the backup. Western Digital explains this distinction in its guidance on backing up, copying, or moving data between drives.
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