How many usb memory sticks do you keep?

Ghot said:

I use three. 2x 16GB for things like Macrium and a Windows ISO if needed.
And a 256GB stick for moving many or large files, if necessary. Or maybe storing a Windows backup....

My largest USBs are 32GB. For moving 'many or large files' I'll use a network connection. Two of my laptops are my 'take out' ones for things like vacations. Each one has a 32GB Macrium recovery usb with their latest image on it, I'll take that with the laptop too.

Bree said:

My largest USBs are 32GB. For moving 'many or large files' I'll use a network connection. Two of my laptops are my 'take out' ones for things like vacations. Each one has a 32GB Macrium recovery usb with their latest image on it, I'll take that with the laptop too.

I'm prepared for the day, when I can have a complete Windows OS on a stick.
That I could stick in any USB port on any device, and be all set.

I could probably do it on Linux right now.

But that's why I wanted a large stick... so I would be able to SAVE at least some things.
Like a Linux LIVE setup that I could save things on.

A true portable OS that I could do things like bookmark a web page, access the host comp's OS if necessary, download a file with my portable OS and save it on the stick containing the OS.

Just like a portable 256GB Windows SSD.

Ghot said:

...that's why I wanted a large stick... so I would be able to SAVE at least some things...

USB sticks are not the most reliable of things. I prefer smaller ones and more of them, each with its own specific purpose. That way when it dies I won't loose everything.

Bree said:

USB sticks are not the most reliable of things. I prefer smaller ones and more of them, each with its own specific purpose. That way when it dies I won't loose everything.

You know how Windows comes with almost every driver made.
You also know I have two SSDs, each with Windows and I only hook up one at a time.
And each one thinks it's the only OS on my comp.




Now what if one of those was really a USB stick, that would work on ANY hardware, just like it works on my hardware.
Allowances for hardware "speed", and different vid card control panels, ofc.

Totally portable. That would be amazing...


Like I have an Nvidia card, but say I plugged it into a comp with an AMD card.
My OS on my USB stick would just re-route a few things, so when I plugged it into a comp with an AMD card.... then when I right clicked my desktop... I'd get the Catalyst Control Center, rather than the Nvidia control panel.
All automatic. Same for sound cards and Ethernet or wireless.. Just a quick re-route.

Then I would have all my games, programs, bookmarks, etc., etc., etc., on whatever comp I plugged my USB stick.... into.
And if, on my USB stick OS... I beat a few more levels in... DOOM... the USB stick would remember that, ON the USB stick.

Or maybe my Excel spreadsheet work. I could take my OS, my OFFICE and my work with me to any computer that has a USB port.


Wanna be the next Bill Gates? There ya go... invent that.

I mean we're already so close. Right now I could get one of those Beelink comps... take it anywhere and just hook up a screen, internet and a keyboard to it.
But a USB stick would be so much better. No hooking up anything... just plug it in to a USB port on any comp.








Just a concept idea. I WANT something like this. That doesn't mean it's out there yet.

Thanks @Paul Black

zbook said:

Instead of using multiple bootable flash drives one bootable flash drive can be used for multiple bootable files.

Ventoy

Never a good plan to keep all of your eggs in one basket?

Ghot said:

I'm prepared for the day, when I can have a complete Windows OS on a stick.
That I could stick in any USB port on any device, and be all set.

I could probably do it on Linux right now.

But that's why I wanted a large stick... so I would be able to SAVE at least some things.
Like a Linux LIVE setup that I could save things on.

A true portable OS that I could do things like bookmark a web page, access the host comp's OS if necessary, download a file with my portable OS and save it on the stick containing the OS.

Just like a portable 256GB Windows SSD.

You can do it now with a decent usb flash drive that writes at least 100 MB/S and a minimum of 64 GB say.

I have a usb flash drive that is 256 GB and writes at over 150 MB/s - not quite as fast as using SSD or NVME is usb enclosures but pretty fast.

I have windows 11 on it. I used Rufus Windows To Go feature (one of rare times I use Rufus).

It has a couple of minor limitations:

1) activation is device dependent (unless you have a legitimate volume licence key arrangement?).

2) You can run into driver issues if you put it in a new pc (no different to transferring any drive to new device). I get round this by having a custom installer that I can inject drivers of new device (I access new device with host OS and export drivers).

You have to be careful buying a usb drive - many claim high speeds and advertise high read speeds but do not advertise their relatively pathetic write speeds (usually around 30 MB/s).

Bastet said:

Thanks @Paul Black

You are VERY welcome.

cereberus said:

You can do it now with a decent usb flash drive that writes at least 100 MB/S and a minimum of 64 GB say.

I have a usb flash drive that is 256 GB and writes at over 150 MB/s - not quite as fast as using SSD or NVME is usb enclosures but pretty fast.

I have windows 11 on it. I used Rufus Windows To Go feature (one of rare times I use Rufus).

It has a couple of minor limitations:

1) activation is device dependent (unless you have a legitimate volume licence key arrangement?).

2) You can run into driver issues if you put it in a new pc (no different to transferring any drive to new device). I get round this by having a custom installer that I can inject drivers of new device (I access new device with host OS and export drivers).

You have to be careful buying a usb drive - many claim high speeds and advertise high read speeds but do not advertise their relatively pathetic write speeds (usually around 30 MB/s).

I looked especially for a fast USB stick...

Ghot said:

I looked especially for a fast USB stick...

Impressive - easily fast enough for WTG drive.

Those are fairly expensive though aren't they - Amazon says £72