USB Flash Drive Tip

Have you ever had to wait for Windows (mostly on Vista) to search through your entire flash drive before you can actually start using it? If so, here is a little trick that I use in order to make my flash drive be usable a lot faster…

If you usually place all your files on the root of the drive, this will help a lot!
Instead of going with the usual of dropping your files on the root of your flash drive, simply create folders and place your files inside of them.

Windows was programmed to search the root of your drive so that when the Autoplay menu


shows up it gives you the option of opening your files with a related program. Although this is an awesome feature, it can sometimes be very slugish. Thus, I found out that by placing your files in a folder instead of dropping them on the root of the drive, speeds up the process. So that’s it, just make folders and see the difference!

Tags: , ,

  • http://www.Rarst.net Rarst

    I am usually pressing escape to cancel scan. It still shows Autoplay menu with common options after that. At least on XP, don’t remember Vista behaviour on this but I think it’s same.

    Rarsts last blog post..Engineering Windows 7 – ray of real news on OS future

  • http://www.Rarst.net Rarst

    I am usually pressing escape to cancel scan. It still shows Autoplay menu with common options after that. At least on XP, don’t remember Vista behaviour on this but I think it’s same.

    Rarsts last blog post..Engineering Windows 7 – ray of real news on OS future

  • Andy

    So did this trick workout for you?

  • http://www.Rarst.net Rarst

    I am already not placing stuff in root (makes hard to manage and sync) so can’t tell if it works. :)

    Rarsts last blog post..Getting rid of software with Revo Uninstaller

  • http://www.Rarst.net Rarst

    I am already not placing stuff in root (makes hard to manage and sync) so can’t tell if it works. :)

    Rarsts last blog post..Getting rid of software with Revo Uninstaller

  • Diego

    I’m looking on buying a new external USB hard drive…any suggestions??

    Looking to spend no more than $100!

  • Andy

    Rarst, ok cool!

    Diego, well I think it all depends on what type you want to get. When I say type I mean do you want something like the WD passport ( really portable ) or something like the WD MyBook ( sits on your desk ). I think good features are such like FireWire Support, USB 2.0 ( obviously ), and if it’s USB powered I think that’s a plus for me since you don’t have to worry about any more power plugs. Other than that, good capacity would be > 250. The faster the rpm ‘s the better, as well as the buffer. If it has a bigger buffer ( currently @ 8 – 16 MB I believe ) the better the speed I believe. I am personally a fan of Western Digital but there are other brands that have really good reps too.

  • http://www.Rarst.net Rarst

    I am extremely happy with Prestigio Pocket Drive II. It has 1.8″ HDD inside = really tiny.

    Downside is that small size cooooosts. :) But since I was already addicted to high-speed flash drives which kinda expensive as well – buying tiny HDD was huge improvement if looking at it as cost per Gb.

  • http://www.Rarst.net Rarst

    I am extremely happy with Prestigio Pocket Drive II. It has 1.8″ HDD inside = really tiny.

    Downside is that small size cooooosts. :) But since I was already addicted to high-speed flash drives which kinda expensive as well – buying tiny HDD was huge improvement if looking at it as cost per Gb.

  • Diego

    I’ve been seeing Western Digital everywhere for portable hard drives. I’d probably have it sitting on my desk. So I’d probably be looking for a 500GB.

    I’ve never had one before, are they reliable? How so? What are their life spans? And what is the probability that they will crash on you??

    Rarst, I’d definitely would want a pocket drive…but like you mentioned size costs! Plus school is around the corner, and with that those costly Computer Science books…=/ Plus, I’m looking for a printer as well.

  • http://www.Rarst.net Rarst

    Why not just buy and install extra HDD if that’s for desk purpose? :) As for reliability – they have exactly same desktop drives inside. Lifespan = regular drive minus damage you inflict droping it off the table accidently. :)

    Rarsts last blog post..Mouse hotkeys in Opera

  • http://www.Rarst.net Rarst

    Why not just buy and install extra HDD if that’s for desk purpose? :) As for reliability – they have exactly same desktop drives inside. Lifespan = regular drive minus damage you inflict droping it off the table accidently. :)

    Rarsts last blog post..Mouse hotkeys in Opera

  • Diego

    Well, I’d like to be able to take it with me! Let’s say…connect it to my PS3? Or go to my friend’s house and suck the juice out of his computer.

    Oohh…nice…I’m using Opera right now…I bet that post will come in handy…I love shortcuts

    I want to do this because I want to have my picture collection safe, so if I try to install another OS, nothing wrong will go in the process. It’s nearly happened before…

  • http://www.Rarst.net Rarst

    I have cute device that allows to stick any IDE (3.5″ and 2.5″) or SATA device into USB (just google it, I think Scythe has one model but they are mostly noname). It works with DVD drives as well. Really handy if you don’t need external drive daily.

    I use my external media daily so it’s not solution, but I used it at work more than once to transfer data and such.

    Rarsts last blog post..Mouse hotkeys in Opera

  • http://www.Rarst.net Rarst

    I have cute device that allows to stick any IDE (3.5″ and 2.5″) or SATA device into USB (just google it, I think Scythe has one model but they are mostly noname). It works with DVD drives as well. Really handy if you don’t need external drive daily.

    I use my external media daily so it’s not solution, but I used it at work more than once to transfer data and such.

    Rarsts last blog post..Mouse hotkeys in Opera

  • Diego

    I’ll be looking into that. Might come in handy! Thanks Rarst.

  • Andy

    hey diego, Rarst makes a great point about looking at it at price per Gb if you are looking for best bang for your buck…

  • Diego

    I know what you mean…Price per GB…I’ll be looking for deals on Slickdeals, PriceGrabber, Amazon, and NewEgg.