Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Use USB to move data from a Raspberry Pi Pico to your computer. For a file already saved on the Pico, use Thonny’s device file browser to download it. For readings you need as they are produced, send records over USB serial and capture them with a program on the computer.
Choose the right transfer method
| Method | Best for | Where the data goes | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thonny file download | A completed CSV, JSON, or log file | From the Pico’s flash filesystem to the computer | Simple and interactive; coordinate with or stop the program that is writing the file. |
| USB serial streaming | Live readings or long-running captures | To the computer as the Pico sends each record | Requires a computer-side reader and a defined record format. |
| mpremote or another command-line workflow | Repeatable scripts and automation | Depends on the file-transfer or stream workflow you run | More setup than Thonny; useful for command-line workflows. Thonny’s documentation identifies mpremote as a device-management and file-transfer option. |
Both common workflows use USB. MicroPython exposes a USB serial connection for its REPL; that serial connection can also carry program output. Raspberry Pi documents USB connection and serial REPL access in its MicroPython documentation, and MicroPython describes the RP2 USB serial REPL in its RP2 quick reference.
Prepare the Pico and connect it
- Use a USB data cable. Connect the Pico to the computer with a cable that supports data, not a charge-only cable. Check that its connector matches your Pico.
- Install MicroPython if needed. Hold BOOTSEL while connecting the board to make it appear as the RPI-RP2 mass-storage device. Copy the appropriate UF2 file to that device; the board reboots, after which MicroPython can be accessed over USB Serial. Follow Raspberry Pi’s official MicroPython setup instructions for the board and firmware details.
- Connect in Thonny. Open Thonny, select MicroPython (Raspberry Pi Pico) or the matching Pico variant as the interpreter, and choose the detected serial port. Thonny’s documentation and the Raspberry Pi Pico Python SDK describe this interpreter-selection workflow.
Download a file that is already on the Pico
- With the Pico connected and selected in Thonny, open View → Files.
- Find the file in the device file list. Select it, right-click, and choose the download action.
- Choose a location on the computer if prompted, then verify the downloaded file there.
Thonny’s file browser transfers files in both directions: download from the Pico to the computer, or upload from the computer to the Pico. The Raspberry Pi SDK also describes choosing whether a file is saved to “This computer” or “Raspberry Pi Pico.” Refer to Thonny’s documentation for the file-browser workflow.
Capture live readings as a local CSV
For continuous acquisition, have the Pico emit one structured record per line over USB serial—for example, comma-separated sensor values—and run a serial-reading program on the computer to save each incoming line to a CSV or database. The serial reader runs on the computer; sending output from the Pico alone does not automatically create a local file.
Recommended Free Tools
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
2Pack USB-C Pi Pico, Pre-soldered with Headers, ENIG Finish, Raspberry Pi Pico Compatible RP2040 Microcontroller Board, with 1 USB A-C Cable, Pink Color
- 100% software- and hardeware- compatible with official Raspberry Pi Pico board.
- USB-C Port. *NOTE: Compatible with USB-A to C cable only
- RP2040 ARM Cortex M0+ dual core processor. 133MHz speed. 264K SRAM, 2MByte flash.
- Pre-soldered with headers. Pink color. ENIG finished.
- Write the MicroPython program to produce a consistent, machine-readable record for each measurement, such as
elapsed_ms,temperature. - Save the collector on the Pico as
main.pyif it should start automatically when the board powers on. The Raspberry Pi Pico Python SDK documents this startup behavior. - Run a host-side serial program that reads the Pico’s USB serial output and appends each record to a local CSV or database.
- Keep diagnostic text out of the data stream, or ensure the host program can distinguish it from records; inconsistent lines can make a capture harder to parse.
This streaming approach is described in a Raspberry Pi community discussion. The discussion is implementation guidance; USB serial access itself is documented by Raspberry Pi and MicroPython.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 2
Best Value
FBHDZVV Power USB Switch Type-C Cable for Raspberry Pi 4, Replacement for Raspberry Pi 4B Power Supply Cord 5V 3A Pi Switch ON/OFF Compatible with Raspberry Pi 4B Type C USB Devices（1-Pack）
- Type-C USB cable for Raspberry Pi with ON / OFF switch for your devices,cable length: 39.37 in (1meter) length
- No need to pull the cable to restart or reboot your PI, just press the button to turn your Pi ON and OFF
- Helps prevent the USB connector from wear and tear due to frequent pulling and inserting the USB cable
- Not only can be used for your Pi 4 B, but also for any Type-C / USB devices
- This Cable/Cord is only for power supply and connector, NOT for Data Sync
Rank #4
2Pcs Raspberry Pi Pico Development Board, Raspberry Pi RP2040 Dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ Processor, Running Up to 133 MHz, Support C/C++/Python, 2MB Quad SPI Flash Integrated with SPI/I2C/UART Interface
- The Raspberry Pi Pico is a beginner-friendly microcontroller board that uses MicroPython to give you a taste of the Internet of Things and microcontrollers. The RP2040 is a well-designed microprocessor that can be utilized in almost any Internet of Things project. It has enough power to complete the task quickly.
- 【Raspberry Pi RP2040 Microcontroller】Raspberry Pi Pico features Dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz. With 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of on-board Flash memory.Supports up to 16 MB of off chip flash memory via a dedicated QSPI bus
- 【Multiple Software Support】Pico has rich and complete software support, it comes with a complete Rasberry Pi official C/C++ SDK, Micropython SDK.The programming and burning of Pico need to be carried out on the computer. Supported operating systems and computers include:Raspberry Pie with Raspberry Pi OS,Other platforms equipped with Debian based Linux system Computer with MacOS, Computers with Windows, etc.
- 【Rich Hardware Interface】Raspberry Pi Pico has 30 GPIO pins, 4 pins for analog signal input and 26 × multi-function GPIO pins, 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 3 × 12-bit ADC, 16 × controllable PWM channels.USB 1.1 supported by host and device, The installation mode can be flexibly selected by users to facilitate welding with other development boards.
- 【Build Project in Tiny Size】Only 2.1cm*5.1cm ( as small as your thumb). Pico has been designed to use either soldered 0.1" pin-headers or can be used as a surface-mountable 'module'.
Rank #3
Sale
KEYESTUDIO Raspberry Pi Pico Basic Starter Kit with Headers Micro USB Cable, Pico RP2040 Microcontroller, Flexible 26 Multifunction GPIO Pins, Temperature Sensor, Programmable in C & MicroPython
- New Flexible Microcontroller Board --- Raspberry Pi Pico is a tiny, fast, and versatile board. It's based on RP2040 chip, which features a dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor with 264KB internal RAM and support for up to 16MB of off-chip Flash, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz.
- Multi-Function GPIO Pins---It has 26 multifunction GPIO pins, including 3 analogue inputs, 2 × UART, 2 × SPI controllers, 2 × I2C controllers, 16 × PWM channels.
- Rich Peripheral Set---A wide range of flexible I/O options includes I2C, SPI, and — uniquely —8 × Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines for custom peripheral support.
- Multiple Software Support---Raspberry Pi Pico has rich and complete software support and community resources. Programmable in C and MicroPython. Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB.
- Low-power sleep and dormant modes; Accurate on-chip clock; Temperature sensor; Accelerated integer and floating-point libraries on-chip
Rank #2
With Pre-Soldered Header Raspberry Pi Pico Microcontroller Development Board Based on Raspberry Pi RP2040 Chip,Dual-Core ARM Cortex M0+ Processor
- with pre-soldered header Raspberry Pi Pico. RP2040 microcontroller chip designed by Raspberry Pi in the United Kingdom
- Dual-core Arm Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz. 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of on-board Flash memory.
- Castellated module allows soldering direct to carrier boards. USB 1.1 with device and host support. Low-power sleep and dormant modes. Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB. 26 × multi-function GPIO pins.
- 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 3 × 12-bit ADC, 16 × controllable PWM channels.Accurate clock and timer on-chip.Temperature sensor.
- Accelerated floating-point libraries on-chip.8 × Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines for custom peripheral support
Choose file transfer or streaming based on when you need the data
- Use Thonny when the Pico has finished writing a file and you want to copy it interactively.
- Use USB serial streaming when the computer should receive measurements as they happen or when you want the host to store a long-running capture.
- Use a command-line tool such as mpremote when you need a repeatable or automated device workflow rather than Thonny’s graphical file browser.
Troubleshoot the connection
- The Pico does not appear in Thonny: check the USB cable supports data, reconnect the board, and select the serial port detected by the computer.
- The REPL or serial connection is unavailable: confirm that MicroPython is installed and that Thonny is using the Pico MicroPython interpreter and its detected port.
- The file is not visible in the device browser: confirm that it was saved on the Pico rather than on “This computer,” and that the Pico is connected in Thonny.
- The live capture contains non-CSV text: make the Pico’s output format consistent and have the computer-side reader handle only the intended records.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
