A USB flash drive (also called a thumb drive or memory stick) is a great low-tech way to carry a document between computers. Here’s how to copy a PDF onto one.
On a Windows computer
Plug the USB drive into a USB port
USB ports are the small rectangular slots on the side of a laptop, or on the front/back of a desktop tower. The drive only fits one way — if it doesn’t go in, flip it over.
Open File Explorer
Click the yellow folder icon at the bottom of your screen. On the left you’ll see This PC — click it. Your USB drive appears with a name like “USB Drive (E:)” or the brand name of the drive.
Open a second File Explorer window with your PDF
Right-click the folder icon at the bottom of the screen and pick File Explorer again. In the new window, click Downloads (or wherever your PDF is).
Drag the PDF to the USB drive
Click and hold the PDF file, drag it across to the first window where your USB drive is showing, and let go. Windows will copy the file across. A small progress bar shows up.
Click the "Safely Remove" icon before unplugging
Look in the bottom-right of the screen for a small USB icon with a green check. Click it, then click Eject next to your drive’s name. Wait for Windows to say it’s safe, then pull the drive out.
On a Mac
Plug the USB drive in
If your Mac only has USB-C ports (the small oval ones) and your USB drive is the older bigger rectangle type, you’ll need an adapter — they’re about $8 online.
Open Finder and find the drive
The drive appears in the Finder sidebar under Locations with a name like “NO NAME” or “Untitled”. Click it.
Drag and drop your PDF
Open another Finder window (⌘ + N), browse to your PDF, and drag it into the USB drive window.
Eject the drive before unplugging
In Finder’s sidebar, click the small eject arrow next to the drive’s name. Wait until the drive disappears from the sidebar before pulling it out.
What’s next
Take your USB drive to the library or print shop — plug it in, open the PDF, and follow our printing guide for that computer.