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This wikiHow teaches you how to find the read and write speeds of a USB drive in Windows or macOS.
Quick Steps
- Plug the USB drive into your computer's USB port.
- Download the USBDeview program and launch it.
- Select your USB from the list, click File, and then click Speed Test.
- Click Start Test to view the USB port's speed.
Steps
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1Connect the USB drive you want to test. USB ports are usually on the side or front of laptops, and on the front or back of desktop computers.
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Download the USBDeview zip file. Here's how:
- Go to http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html in a web browser.
- Scroll down to the “Download USBDeview” links (Download USBDeview and Download USBDeview for x64 systems).
- Click the link that pertains to your version of Windows.
- If the download does not begin automatically, click Save File.
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Press ⊞ Win+E. This opens the File Explorer.
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Click the Downloads folder. It’s in the left panel. This displays the contents of your Downloads folder in the right panel.
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Right-click the USBDeview zip file. It’s called USBDeview.zip or USBDeviewx64.zip, depending on the version. A menu will expand.
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Click Extract All…. The "Extract Compressed Folders" window will appear.
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Click Extract. The contents of the zip file will extract. When finished, you’ll be brought to the folder containing the installation files.
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Double-click USBDeview. A security warning will appear.
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Click Yes. The application will launch.
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Click the USB drive you want to test. You may have to scroll down the list to find it.
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Click the File menu. It’s at the top-left corner of the window.
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Click Speed Test. It’s near the bottom of the menu.
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Click Start Test. USBDeview will now check the read and write speeds for this drive. The results will appear next to “Write Speed” and “Read Speed.”
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Click Close. This closes the speed test.
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1Connect the USB drive you want to test. USB ports are usually on the side or front of laptops, and on the front or back of desktop computers.
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Type blackmagic speed test into the search bar. It’s at the top-right corner of the App Store. A list of matching results will appear.
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Click Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. It’s the black, gray, and blue speedometer icon.
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Click GET.
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Click Install App. This will install the app on your Mac. Once the installation is complete, the “Install App” button will change to “OPEN.”
- You may have to enter your administrator password to begin the download.
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Click OPEN. This launches the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test app.
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Click the gear icon. It’s between the two meters at the center of the app.
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Click Select Target Drive.
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Select your USB drive. It’ll be in the left column.
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Click Open.
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Click Speed Test Start. The test will begin. Once the test is finished, the read and write speeds will appear at the bottom of each meter.