Files copy paste very slow to USB drive (How To speed it up)

Copying files to a USB drive is a common task, but sometimes the transfer speed can be frustratingly slow. Sometimes the copy/paste speed reaches 8-10 MB/s and instantly drops down to 0 byte/s. The speed of file transfer depends on various factors such as USB port type, file system format, drive health, and system settings. This article explores the possible reasons why Files copy and paste very slow to USB drive and provides multiple methods to optimize the speed and make the process more efficient.

Note:

• 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, which can reach 1GB per second)

Why is the USB Data Transfer Rate very slow?

There any numerous factors that can influence your data transfer speed of Pendrive. The File Allocation Table Of Your USB drive, OS and hardware performance, Files type (what type of file you are transferring) Device policy, Few other factors ( like if you are trying to copy data from an external drive to a USB drive you may notice slow data transfer speed.

• Fragmented or Incorrect File System – A USB drive formatted with FAT32 may have slower speeds than NTFS or exFAT.
• USB Drive Health Issues – Bad sectors or an aging USB drive can affect performance.
• Write Caching Disabled – Windows write caching improves transfer speed but is often disabled by default.
• Outdated USB Drivers – Using outdated drivers can limit the USB data transfer rate.
• Antivirus Scanning – Some security software scans files during the transfer, slowing down the process.
• Background Processes – Running multiple tasks simultaneously can slow down the transfer speed.

Use a Faster USB Port

Many computers have both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. USB 3.0 and above offer much faster data transfer speeds compared to USB 2.0.

• Look for blue-colored USB ports (USB 3.0) or USB-C ports, as they indicate higher-speed connections.
• Check your computer’s specifications to confirm USB 3.0 or higher compatibility.
• Right-click Start Menu > Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers to verify if your system has USB 3.0 or 3.1 drivers installed.
• Plug your USB drive into a different USB 3.0/3.1 port and compare transfer speeds.

Format the USB Drive to NTFS or exFAT

The default FAT32 file system is slower and has file size limitations (max 4GB per file). Reformatting your drive to NTFS or exFAT can significantly enhance performance, especially for large file transfers.

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

• Open File Explorer, right-click on the USB drive, and select Format.
• Choose NTFS or exFAT under the File System option.
• Click Start (Note: Formatting will erase all data on the drive, so back up important files first).

Enable Write Caching

Write caching is a feature that improves disk performance by allowing Windows to batch write operations before physically writing them to the drive. This results in faster transfer speeds.

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

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Disk drives and locate your USB drive.
3. Right-click the drive, select Properties, and navigate to the Policies tab.
4. Choose Better Performance and enable Write Caching.
5. Click OK and restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Check the USB Drive for Errors

A damaged or corrupted USB drive can significantly reduce transfer speeds. Windows has a built-in tool to check and repair bad sectors.

1. Open File Explorer, right-click your USB drive and select Properties.
2. Go to the Tools tab and click Check under Error Checking.
3. Let Windows scan and fix any detected errors.
4. After the repair process, retry copying files to see if performance improves.

Again Data Transfer speed depends a lot on your current System performance such as CPU Usage, Memory Usage, etc. If there is something unusual about your System performance, try to fix that and then transfer the files to your USB storage.

Transfer Large Files Instead of Many Small Files

Copying a single large file (e.g., 5GB) is much faster than copying thousands of small files due to file system overhead. To improve efficiency:

• Compress small files into a ZIP or RAR file before transferring.
• Use file transfer tools like TeraCopy or FastCopy for better speed and control.

Avoid Running Multiple Tasks During Transfer

Running multiple background applications, such as web browsers, downloads, or software updates, can reduce available system resources and slow down USB transfers.

• Close unnecessary applications during file transfers.
• Avoid running heavy tasks like video rendering or gaming while copying files.
• Monitor resource usage via Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and end processes consuming excessive disk or CPU resources.

Update USB Drivers

Outdated or corrupted USB drivers can limit the transfer speed. Updating them can enhance performance.

1. Press Win + X, and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
3. Right-click each USB Root Hub and select Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for drivers and let Windows install any available updates.
5. Restart your PC and test the transfer speed.

Disable Antivirus Software Temporarily

Some antivirus programs scan files during transfer, which slows down copying speeds. If you suspect this, try temporarily disabling real-time scanning:

• Open your antivirus program and disable real-time protection.
• Copy the files and check if speeds improve.
• Re-enable antivirus protection once the transfer is complete to keep your system secure.

Using Third-Party Tools like Ultra Copier

Some Third-Party Tools can also help you increase your USB data transfer speed. These tools run on the System Tray of your Desktop and you can easily transfer your files with one click. Some of the alternatives to Ultra Copier are Fast Copy and Tera-Copy.

Use a High-Quality USB Drive

Low-quality or outdated USB drives often have low read/write speeds due to inferior flash memory and controllers. To achieve optimal performance, consider upgrading to a USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 drive from reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston, or Corsair.

Always insert the USB device into the USB 3.0 port for Higher speed. Also, try to reduce the simultaneous write operation to the same drive. Again, sometimes formatting the drive results in better performance, so try to format it at least one time a month.