Fix slow USB data transfer rate and Optimize USB drive for better performance

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A pen drive is a portable USB flash memory device that helps to transfer data from one computer to another one. Many users after a few days of users complain about the copying speed (USB data transfer rate is very slow)while transferring files from the computer to the pen drive and vice-versa. Have you ever tried copying files from your PC to USB, or vice versa? Well, of course, you have. Have you ever experienced an annoyingly slow data transfer rate? Here are some tips to increase your USB flash drive data copying or transferring speed.

What is USB Data Transfer Speed?

USB Data Transfer speed refers to the amount of data carried through the USB in a second. The amount always is measured by KB, MB, or GB for blazing-fast USB. There are 3 types of USB ports, USB 1.0 (older and very slow), USB 2.0 (used almost on all computers), and USB 3.0 (the newer and fastest one, can reach 1GB per second)

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Why does the USB Transfer Speed Matter?

When copying a file to your pen drive, that file has a size and the pen drive has a transfer speed. And you’ll be waiting for that file to complete transferring if the file size is too big or the data transfer is too slow. This Data Transfer Matters on File Size, USB Version (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 ), and The Drive File system. Data Transfer Rate also depends on the Locations of Files. If you want to transfer a bunch of files to the Same Drive or another Folder then it will get Transferred very Fast. But if You want to Transfer Files from one Drive to another then it will Take some Time Comparatively Likewise in Pendrive.

When You buy a New Pendrive it works Fast but as it gets older, But after some days The Data Transfer Rate Starts Decreasing. Data Transfer Rate Depends on Types of Files You are Transferring. Songs, Docs, Videos May get Transferred very Quickly. USB Port Version 2.0 is the most popular and the computers which are manufactured after the year 2000 Have 2.0  USB port Version. This version of the USB port gives you the Speed of 35mbps (Theoretically)

Tips To Speed Up USB Data Transfer Rate

If you are also looking for optimizing your USB drive Data transfer rate, Here we have some tips to speed up your pen drive data copying faster. We will Change The File System To NTFS of your pen drive and Also We will Change the Device Policy in order To Speedup your Pendrive. Follow Below Steps

Change The File System FAT32 To NTFS of  USB Drive

Formatting the USB drive with the NTFS file system is the best and most working Trick to optimize your USB drive. We Are Changing The File system to NTFS Because FAT 32 Can not Handle a Large amount of data. Here follow the below steps to format the USB drive with the NTFS file system.

Note: These Steps Delete your Data on USB Drive, It’s recommended to Backup or copy your data to Local Drive.

  • Now First Plugin your USB drive, click on This PC and select your USB drive letter.
  •  Right-click on your pen drive and select Format Then, Select NTFS File system, Uncheck Quick Format And Click On Start.

Note: Formatting will delete all your data. Back up all your data before formatting.

After Formatting Your Pendrive and Converting it To NTFS File System.

Change the Device Policy

Making changes on Device policy tricks also makes much faster data transfer.

Note: Understand That After Changing the Device Policy, Your Data Transfer Speed Will Increase But Make Sure You Click on ” Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media”  Before Removing Your Pendrive.

Plugin your USB or external hard drive to your Windows computer. Open This PC folder, right-click on the device which you want to make faster, and select Properties.

Next, select the Hardware tab. Here, select the storage media and then click on the Properties button. After Clicking on Properties You will see a new Dialog Box, Click on Change Settings.

Another Dialog Box will appear, Click on Policy Tab A new box will open. Click on the Policies tab. Here you will see two options in the USB Device Properties box:

Quick removal (default)
Better performance

USB Quick removal vs. Better performance

The default is Quick Removal. When this option is selected, it disables write caching on the device and in Windows. You can disconnect the device safely, without having to use the Safely Remove Hardware option.

If you want better performance from your USB device, you can select the Better performance option. When this is selected, it enables write caching in Windows. But you have to use the Safely Remove Hardware option from the notification area, to disconnect the device safely, else it may result in data corruption.

Now Select Better Performance, Click ok. That’s it now simply once Restart Your Computer. Next time when you Copy some data to your USB drive you will see the Transfer Rate is high compared to the previous one.

Note: After enabling this option, make sure you use the Safely remove hardware option each time you remove the removable drive. Otherwise, you will get errors with the pen drive.

Check The USB Drive For Errors

I will also recommend you to Check your Pendrive for errors. Errors in Your Pendrive May even Cause To Slow Down your Pendrive Data Transfer Speed. You Can Do It by Navigating to Pendrive Properties > Tool > Check.

Update your system USB Drivers

Drivers hold the key to operating your devices. Developers regularly release new updates that are generally more advanced and much more capable to handle device functions. Make sure you ride your unit on the latest advancement by ensuring the following procedure:

  • Search device manager on the Start Screen and click on it.
  • Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers
  • Right-click each component and click Update Driver Software
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to install any available updates

The methods described in this script are proven procedures to boost memory storage performances. However, if you are looking for greater advancements, acquire a faster USB drive (preferably USB 3.0). In addition, maintain a ‘clean’ PC with absolutely no viruses/malware, and also limit CPU activity while performing the transfer. Both these activities will ensure maximum attention is provided to the undergoing task.

These are some best working methods to speed up your USB data transfer rate. Have any query suggestion feel free to comment below.

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Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.

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