How to use the flash: 10 unusual ways
Technologies / / December 19, 2019
Today, the old USB-drives, repressed universal distribution of high-speed Internet, and cloud services, is no longer so popular as before. Nevertheless finally write them to the scrap a bit early. Here are 10 cases in which you have to search the depths of his desk his old stick.
1. try Linux
Free operating system based on Linux attract many, but not all are willing to spend time and effort to complete their installation on the host computer. There is sufficient volume of USB-drive solves the problem.
Any user, even having a very poor computer knowledge, it will be able to download the distribution of interest and to create on its basis a bootable USB flash drive. After this will only restart the computer and boot into the new system. If you like it, you might think about installing as an operating system.
2. Use portable applications
If you travel frequently or have to use someone else's computer, you can burn your favorite applications on removable media and run it directly from there. There are special tools, the most famous of which is the PortableApps.com.
Portableapps.com platform provides easy start-up and organization of portable applications stored on a USB flash drive. You can connect your USB-drive to almost any Windows computer and use all of the programs and the necessary files.
3. Write data for a trip
Yes, much of the data is more convenient and safer to store in the cloudBut not in all cases. For example, you are going on vacation in a place where access to the road or simply absent. The same applies to airplanes, trains, buses and cars.
The correct solution is to prepare for the trip in advance: record to stick a sufficient number of movies, music, books and other required files that will pass the time on the road and do not depend on the slow and costly mobile communication.
4. defeat viruses
If your computer has been infected by a virus, get rid of them will not be easy. Modern viruses are able to disguise themselves well and block antivirus software that handle them in an active state is simply impossible.
In this case, come to the aid of special recovery tools such as Anvi Rescue Disk, ClamWin Portable, Avira PC Cleaner or Emsisoft Emergency Kit, which is recorded on a removable storage device and can scan the system right there. As a rule, they already contain the most recent updates and distributed for free.
5. restore the system
Sometimes the computer just refuses to boot. Therefore it is better to prepare in advance a lifeline for this unpleasant event.
For this purpose there is a special tool in the Windows 10 operating system. You can find it in the main menu of the operating system under the name "Repair Disk". You just need to connect USB flash drive, Run the tool for creating a rescue disk, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Speed Up Windows
Almost all new computers come with enough for comfortable work of RAM. However, older machines are desperately slow down because of its lack.
In Windows, it provides an opportunity to increase the memory with an external USB drive. Connect it to your computer, and then click on its icon in the "Explorer". In the context menu select "Properties", then go to the Ready Boost tab. If the drive is suitable, here you can activate the Ready Boost function to speed of your Windows.
7. secure passwords
For this task do not fit all of the stick, but only those that support FIDO U2F - special technology universal two-factor authentication. In this case, the drive acts as a USB-token that stores keys and performs cryptographic operations on their own.
After a simple setup procedure, you can use your USB-drive for safe entry into the accounts, including Google, Dropbox, Dashlane, LastPass. Today, this type of authentication supports a lot of programs and online services.
8. demonstrate portfolio
When a job is not so much a look at education and work experience, but on the real-life examples of completed projects. If your activity is connected with digital technology, then it's best to write down before the interview your portfolio on removable media, to show it to a prospective employer. It may include a resume, video, slide show, presentation.
9. safe surfing
We are talking about how to install on removable media special browser versions TOR based technology that provides a fully private web browsing mode. After the end of the session and disconnect the USB drive on your computer does not remain no evidence on which to trace your browsing history, and downloaded data.
10. Record your favorite music
The era of cassette tapes on which fans treasured albums favorite bands, a thing of the past. Today, however, their place may well take a USB-drives.
Record your favorite music selections that it has always been with you. Your computer can burn, internet broken, and the cloud music service to go bankrupt, but it is does not affect the list of tracks in your music player.