USB Flash drives are by far the most popular form of data storage and have been growing in the past few years from a great device to a portable piece of tech we simply can’t live without.
The saying, “good things come in little packages” is certainly true when it comes to the humble USB drive, but while the majority of people own one, they might not necessarily know the power it holds.
The small, unassuming gadget is capable of much more than we may give it credit for. VDC Group wants to let you in on a few secrets to how you can make the most of your USB drive, so without further ado, here are just a few from the long list…
Use as a Portable Web Server
Believe it or not, you can use your flash drive as a portable web server, and its simpler than you may think. Using a programme called XAMPP Lite, which includes recent versions of Apache, MySQL and PHP you can run most websites and web apps from it! You can use the full version of XAMPP which includes more, such as FileZilla and OpenSSL, but for more general purposes the light version will do! Here is a handy step by step guide on how to get the process right!
Digital Time Capsule
One unusual way to use your USB drive could be to utilise it for a digital snapshot of your life and create a collection of memories and files to ‘scrapbook’ your life. This is a super idea to tell a story to grandchildren, children or even for the sake of memories. Import photos, documents and music and create your own keepsake to pass on through generations, while keeping on top of technology.
Password Reset Disc
With this hack, you will never be locked out of Windows again! If you use Vista or even a more recent system, you can use your USB as a vital password reset. It’s as simple as plugging in, going to “User Accounts” and following the very helpful wizard. Here is a great guide to make sure you take the right steps.
Store Games
We all know that PC games can take up a lot of space on our devices, which can be annoying for any avid gamers out there! You can use your USB flash drive and run them directly from there, which doesn’t just save you space but can also speed up your device in the process. Take note that some games may also require the disc, dependant on the origin of the code.
Save a Computer!
If a computer is starting to get a bit worn down, due to being infected by one large or several small viruses and booting isn’t even an option anymore, you can use your USB to save the day! Install AVG Rescue CD software on your drive and plug in! You can then scan for viruses and recover files. You can see exactly how to do this here.
Expand Mobile Memory
Ever had this little message on your phone warning you about your mobile memory getting low? You can avoid all these messages and getting in too deep with your memory by using your USB as an on-the-go expandable storage space. All you need is a USB OTG cable and a brief tutorial.
Run iTunes on the Go
One of the most useful apps that USB flash drives can run portably is Apples iTunes, which is extra handy when on the go, travelling or you need to work on different computers for work. All you need to do is download iTunes as an app and operate it only from the drive. You will need to create autorun files as well as installing iTunes on the drive itself. You can see a full guide here.
Here at VDC Group, we are proud to be a part of the growing demand in USB flash drives, with artists even beginning to release albums on the handy device. A leading language company is also undergoing a trial to release their language courses on USB.
We supply memory capacity of USB drives up to 32GB and can even design bespoke moulds when necessary. Handy within a business or simply as a hobby, there’s no denying it that there is more to this device than meets the eye.
If you would like any more information regarding our services and products we would love to assist. Simply get in touch with our team, or even get a enquire now from us.
