Windows 10 brought some new appearances. Some features might be confusing if you’ve just migrated from any windows generation before. In terms of how to transfer files from flash drive to windows 10, you may need some help.
This step by step windows 10 guide is designed for the beginner. Through this article, we will show you the easy ways to transfer files from flash drive to windows 10.
Preparation
To transfer files from USB flash drive to windows 10, follow these preparation steps:
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- Plug your flash drive to the USB port carefully.
- Wait a moment. The screen will show you a message about what will you do with the flash drive.
- Choose “Open folder to view files”, then, double click at it or press OK

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Note: If there wasn’t any message that appears on the screen, you have to open File Explorer directly. Click the yellow icon on the taskbar or right-click windows icon then press Explorer.
- In the left bar, navigate to “This PC” and find USB Drive. If you can’t find any sign of a USB flash drive, you might not plug it properly. Unplug your flash drive and re-plug it again.
- If you have plugged the drive properly, it will appear somewhere below “This PC”. Click to show the files inside.
- Select any folders or files that you want to transfer. If you are trying to transfer more than 1, click each file while holding the “CTRL” button.

image: WindowsCentral.com
After those steps, you will have 2 options to transfer your file: by copying or moving.
Before transferring any files, you have to understand that there is a big difference between copying and moving files.
When you are copying files, it means the previous files are still intact. But, when you are moving files, it means the previous files won’t be found.
That’s why you should copy rather than moving files. It’s because if there’s a problem with the transfer process, you still have those files. But, if you are moving files, and there is a problem with the process, you may lose your files.
Wanna more with transfering files? maybe you need to try this tricky article: Move Installed Programs to Another Drive Windows 10
You can find both ways by following the steps below.
Three Ways to Copy Files from Flash Drive to Windows 10
There are three ways to copy files from flash drive to windows 10.
1. By “Copy to” Button
- From the Home Tab above, click the “Copy to” button. There will be some options that appear. Click “Choose location” at the very bottom of the menu.

image: WindowsCentral.com
8. A small window will appear on your screen showing the navigation of your computer. Select the destination folder and click the “Copy” button. The transfer process will start immediately.

image: Windows Central
9. You can verify whether files have been transferred by looking at the destination folder.
2. By “Copy” Button
- From the Home Tab above, click the “Copy” button.
- Navigate from the left bar to the destination folder.
- In the destination folder, click the “Paste” button at the Home Tab above.
- You can see the transfer result directly from the appearance of the files you copied.

3. By Right-Click
- Right-click any files you’ve selected.
- There will be some menus displayed on your screen. Click “Copy”

- Navigate from the left bar to the destination folder.
- In the destination folder, right-click somewhere in the empty area. The menus will be displayed as before.
- Click “Paste” and wait. The transfer processed will start in no time.

- You can check the result in the destination folder directly.
How to Move Files from Flash Drive to Windows 10
To move files from flash drive to windows 10 you have to do the same preparations as before. But, instead of choosing the “Copy” menu, you have to click the “Move/Cut” menu.
The way to access the “Move/Cut” menu has no different from the “Copy” menu. You can find the “Move to” and “Cut” button beside the “Copy to” and “Copy” button at the Home Tab. You also can access the “Move” button above the “Copy” button at the right-click menu.
Final Words
To transfer files from flash drive to Windows 10 needs preparation. The preparation is needed to make sure there is a connection between a computer and flash drive. You can transfer files by copying or moving, but copying files will be safer.