How to Copy Files from a CD to a USB Flash Drive

If you've been using CDs to store information, you've probably realized fewer devices are compatible with them. Before CDs completely stop being used, you may want to copy your files to a newer data storage device.

The best current option to store and transfer files is with a USB flash drive. These tech tools continue to adapt to the newest ports that are on all modern computers and smartphones. They don't take up a lot of space and are durable so you don't have to worry about a small scratch damaging your data.

Custom USB flash drives for musicians are a great alternative to promote music instead of using CDs. Listeners can listen to your music in cars and download it to their devices to have it wherever they go.

In this article, we'll go over how to easily copy your CD files onto your computer.

You'll need:

A CD or DVD with the files you want to transfer.
A USB flash drive with enough storage capacity to store all the information you're transferring from the CD.
A Windows or Mac computer to transfer files between the two devices. (You may need an external CD drive if your computer does not have one.)

Copying CD files To USB For Windows Users

1. Insert the CD and USB Flash Drive

Insert your CD into the CD/DVD drive of your Windows computer. Plug the USB flash drive into one of the available USB ports.

You'll need to get an external CD drive if the current device you have does not have one.

2. Open Your File Explorer

Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer. If that doesn't work, you can use your search bar to search for "File Explorer." Once you have it opened, you'll see a section called "This PC" or "Computer" on the left side. Your CD and USB flash drive will appear in this area.

3. Copy and Paste Files To USB Drive

Make sure your USB Flash Drive is connected and detected. Here are some tips if your USB is not recognized when you plug it in.

Click on the CD icon under "This PC." This will show you all the files stored in your CD. To select the files you want to transfer, hold down the Ctrl Key and click on the files. If you'd like to select all the files, press Ctrl + A.

To know if they are selected, you should see a light blue rectangle highlighting them. You'll need to copy these files once they are selected.

how to transfer files from one drive to another — Click "Send To" to transfer files between drives

There are various ways to copy these files to your USB. The easiest way is once you have everything selected, right-click on the files, and click on "Send To." You should see a couple of options pop up, one saying USB Drive. Once you click that, your files will start copying to the USB. Wait until the process is complete before ejecting your USB flash drive properly.

Another way is to press Ctrl + C once everything is selected. You could also right-click on the selected files, scroll down, and click where it says copy. Both ways work the same way, one is a bit quicker than the other. Then go to your USB drive and either press Ctrl + V or right-click anywhere on the white screen and click paste.

Copying CD files To USB For Mac Users

The steps for Mac users are very similar but there are some differences.

1. Insert Your Devices into the Mac Computer

Insert your CD into your Mac's CD/DVD drive, then plug your USB flash drive into an available USB port. If your Mac does not have a CD drive, you'll need to get an external CD drive. Also, double-check the type of USB port your Mac uses to make sure your USB flash drive is compatible.

2. Open "Finder" on Mac

Click on the Finder icon that should be located in the bar on the bottom of your screen. It should look like a blue smiley face. Your CD and USB flash drive should appear on the left side under the "Devices" section.

3. Select files to copy

Click on the CD icon in Finder to see the files stored on the disc. Hold down the Command key and click on the files you want to transfer. To select all files, press Command + A.

Once your files are selected, either right-click and select Copy or press Command + C. Both options work the same.

In the same Finder window, click on your USB flash drive under "Devices" to open it.

4. Paste the Files onto the USB

In the USB flash drive folder, right-click and choose Paste Item or press Command + V. This will start transferring your files from the CD to your USB flash drive.

After the process is complete, safely eject both devices. To do this, click the Eject icon next to the devices under "Devices" in Finder.

Tips if you're having issues copying your files

Transferring data is slow

If it's taking a while to transfer your files, it could be due to the speed of your CD. USB flash drive speeds can also vary depending if they're 2.0 or 3.0. Make sure you free up system resources to optimize your transferring speeds. If you're using extremely large files, be patient.

All files are not copying

If you notice that not all your files are copied to your USB drive, double-check that the USB capacity is large enough to hold all of your CD files. You may have accidentally missed the file when selecting them. Try copying that specific file alone.

Conclusion

That's it! It's as easy as that. Follow these easy steps and store your data in newer technology that is adaptable to more devices. Using USB flash drives will make it easier to access your files, and they're a lot more durable than CDs.