A USB stick is generally used to carry media files and documents. These are some other different but best uses of a USB stick.
1. Using a USB drive as extra RAM
If you are using a computer that is low on RAM than you can use a fast USB drive to give it a little boost. Windows comes with ReadyBoost which can use free space on a USB drive. This additional memory is provided as cache memory, to speed up. Using a USB drive using ReadyBoost gives support to your hardware when your RAM is running full. Therefore giving you faster and smoother user experience.
To use Readyboost follow the steps below.
- Insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on your PC.
- Select File Explorer from the taskbar.
- Press and hold (or right-click) the USB flash drive (or SD card if you used one instead), then select Properties.
- Select the ReadyBoost tab, then select Use this device.
Windows determines if the device can use ReadyBoost. If it can’t, it’ll let you know. - After Windows determines how much free space to use to optimize memory, select OK to reserve this space so ReadyBoost can use it.
When you look at the contents of the USB flash drive in File Explorer, you’ll see a file named ReadyBoost.sfcache on the flash drive. This file shows how much space is reserved for ReadyBoost.
2. Using as a Key to Lock and Unlock your computer.
You are never secure if you keep your computer unlocked. As you don’t know who will mess with it in your absence( maybe your colleagues). Why not secure it with some fancy tricks and use the USB stick as a key. As you might have seen in some movies. Just download an app like Predator (free tool) you are good to go. This not only improves your security but also looks awesome. This is one of the best uses of a USB stick.
To download Predator go to this link.
3. Creating an Encrypted Vault for your files.
If you want to keep your files secure you can create an encrypted password-protected USB drive. In this drive, you can store your data which will be highly secure and portable. This lets you carry your important data with you wherever you go. All you have to do is plug your USB drive on any PC and you have all your files there. Making your data portable, secure and always readily available with you.
You can download Veracrypt(Free tool) to do this from here.
4. Carrying Portable apps
One thing about apps is you have to install them to use them. However with portable apps, it’s not the case. These apps can be simply copied in a USB stick and used in a suitable device.
These are apps which we use every day but are not available on every Computer we use. Like places such as Cyber cafes or resorts that you have visited. You can carry these apps within a USB stick. Just copy apps on a USB drive and then you can use these apps directly from USB drive on almost any PC nearby.
These apps are generally browsers, email tools, messaging apps and games.
5. Creating A Awesome Gift
When you are away from your loved ones, memories are the best treasure. So when some gift like a recorded video message or a photo memory lane arrives its awesome for the recipient. Even though we live in a world of technology where we can easily make video calls and text messages, there is still an emotional value to Recorded messages and Old photographs.
Combine a recorded message in a USB stick with a bunch of flowers or chocolates and might create the best gift for your loved ones. This gift will be well preserved and kept for a long and your message will be played again and again whenever they miss you. Thatswhy its one of the best uses of a USB stick.
6. Installing an OS on a USB stick
Installing an OS(operating system) on a USB stick is one of the best ways to use a USB disk. Most Linux operating systems come with a USB persistence option, so this gives an edge to use Linux on a USB disk without installing on PC. Persistence gives you the freedom to store your data and settings. This lets you carry your own OS(operating system) with you wherever you go. All you have to do is plug it in any PC and you are good to go. Moreover, using your own OS protects your data from being compromised when you use any public computer.
If you want to become a hacker, you will surely want to use Kali Linux. And installing Kali Linux on a USB is one of the safest ways to use Kali Linux. As it’s there when you want to use it and is easy to get rid of afterward. Installing Linux on a USB gives you options to try multiple Operating Systems.
If you are looking for an OS that will run from a USB but will keep all your browsing data safe then Tails Os is there for you. Tails OS keeps your data private, secure and anonymous. No logs are kept on the operating system. In addition state of art cryptographic software encrypts your files, emails, and instant messages, while internet data is routed via Tor. Each time you use Tails from USB it starts a whole new session, retaining no data. This enhances your security and protects your privacy.
Download the Tails live operating system from here.
Want to know How to install Kali Linux on USB to practice Hacking click here.
7. Rescuing an Infected Computer
You can create a Rescue device that will save you when something bad happens with your PC. You can load USB disk with apps like portable antiviruses, spyware scanners, disk wipers. When a pc gets into some problems this disk can save you. This the best for those who have a lot of computers around. But it’s important that you maintain all apps in this disk in their latest versions.
You can also create a Windows recovery drive. It happens that due to the installation of some drivers or updates windows crashes. Then at these times when simple reboots are not able to solve the problem. This drive can come into rescue and save you from trouble. As its always better to be prepared first you should create this drive and be prepared. Creating a Windows recovery drive is easy and its tutorial is available here.
8. Using a USB stick as a business Card
You can create a business card using a USB. A simple google search will show you some examples of it. Its recommended for businesses like photographers, and content creators. These people can show their business names with some samples of their content, like photographs of the previous projects. This helps in creating an advertisement and you also share quality samples of your work. Normal business cards get lost, torn or thrown away. But as people can use these cards for their personal use they are not easily thrown away. As these cards are reusable by your customer it can stay with them for a long time with your name printed on it. While the only drawback will be the cost of such cards. So for that, you will have to analyze the cost to benefit ratio.
8 Seriously best uses of a USB stick
- Using a USB drive as RAM.
- Using as a Key to Lock and Unlock your computer.
- Creating an Encrypted Vault for your files.
- Carrying Portable apps.
- Creating A Awesome Gift.
- Installing an OS On a USB disk.
- Rescuing an Infected Computer
- Using a USB stick as a business Card
If you like this please share it with your friends. To know how to hide secret files behind an image click here.
Hi, Excellent article, Can we use this usb lock app on MAC also?
Hello, No predator is not available for mac. But you can use similar tool named Rohos Logon key which is available on Mac and should work in a similar way.