Hello! Surely you are more than familiar with the different cloud services to store everything we want. Indeed, you can save almost everything. From files to backups. However, no matter how much time has passed, we still see how useful it is to have a USB flash drive in our homes. Especially since the range of uses available for these devices are so varied. Besides that, they can be very helpful at some point. In addition, you probably know the most common uses for a USB flash drive. However, there are some that not everyone knows. For this reason, we have compiled some of the most interesting uses of this device. Stay reading to know some fascinating uses for a USB flash drive.
The best known uses for a USB flash drive.
Certainly, there are a number of uses for flash drives that are very familiar to us. Let’s take a look at some alternatives:
Watching movies or series on TV
One of the great ideas we put into practice with these storage units is to save movies and series to take with us on trips. As a result, we will be able to watch these contents on any TV, computer, etc. In this way, we will not have to resort to streaming platforms or the fact of having Internet.
Saving files
It is clear that one of the utilities that we take advantage of these USB flash drives is the simple fact of storing all those documents that we do not want to lose.
Recording programs
Many TVs allow us to record as standard the different programs we watch on DTT. However, we will need the help of a USB flash drive so that they can be stored. And, later, it will be as simple as playing the content from the USB to see the program that we had recorded. There are even external memories that bring with them this functionality. Esp in case the TV does not come with this tool as standard.
Have a portable antivirus
Virtually all computers come with an antivirus as standard. However, we may want to use the software we have full confidence in to protect our PC. In that case, we can always carry a portable antivirus installed on the USB memory stick to use it at any time.
To install an operating system
Another common practice will be to install an operating system from these storage units. Moreover, the type of system does not matter. The important thing is that we have software installed on the USB flash drive. Especially in the event that we have to install it on another computer, either because it does not come as standard or because we wanted to format the computer.
Create a backup/data recovery drive
The basic utility is to be able to create an external recovery unit in case we cannot use the one on the computer itself. In the same way, we will be able to save backup copies of other devices.
To update devices
Just as we can use it to install an operating system, these external memory sticks can be used to update the software version of different devices. For example, Smart TV, computers. Particularly in the case that we cannot do it directly from these through the Internet.
Three more unusual uses for a USB flash drive
Certainly the previous ones are among the most known uses that we can carry out with a USB flash drive. However, there are other uses less known by users. Let’s see some of them:
As hard disk cache with ReadyBoost
In this case, using a USB 3.0 flash drive with ReadyBoost will allow us to increase the performance of the computer. To do this, we will have to right-click on the USB flash drive unit. Once there, we will have to go to the ReadyBoost tab. And, finally, we will have to choose the amount of space we want to use as cache. However, this option is only available if we have a hard drive. Indeed, if you have an SSD, using this external memory as cache will be counterproductive.
To run a web server
Another of the utilities that possibly not all users with a USB flash drive are aware of is the fact that it can be used to carry a web server with us at all times. That is, we can host it in a simple way, although, to achieve this, we must use an app. One of the best knows is Server2Go, which is compatible with Windows, Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl.
Use it as a PC access key
Finally, we will be able to use a USB to lock or unlock a PC. Basically, it will be like the access key to the computer we normally use. Although, in general, we will have to resort to specific programs such as USB Raptor or Predator so that we can configure this functionality. However, on Windows, we will have the Security Key tool available. In any case, when you disconnect the memory, the PC will turn off the screen. Very well, in this way we have seen interesting uses for a USB flash drive. Bye!
