{"id":2492,"date":"2012-04-09T16:25:00","date_gmt":"2012-04-09T16:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/usb-flash-drive\/"},"modified":"2024-12-24T17:10:50","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T17:10:50","slug":"usb-flash-drive","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/usb-flash-drive","title":{"rendered":"USB Flash Drive"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Is a USB Flash Drive?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A USB flash drive is a small, portable storage<\/a> device that uses flash memory<\/a> \u2013 a type of non-volatile<\/a> memory chip used for storage and transferring data<\/a>. It has an integrated universal serial bus<\/a> (USB) interface to connect to computers<\/a>, laptops<\/a>, and other devices<\/a>. Most USB flash drives are removable and rewritable.<\/p>\n

The most common USB flash drives use a USB Type-A connection. However, newer USB drives may use USB-C<\/a> or micro-USB<\/a> connectors. Dual USB drives have both USB-A and USB-C for compatibility with modern devices, such as smartphones<\/a> and tablets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

USB flash drives are durable and reliable devices that do not require an Internet<\/a> connection. The larger their storage space, the faster they operate. They are mechanically robust due to the absence of moving parts, and they draw power from the device they are connected to.<\/p>\n

A commonly asked question is, “What is the difference between a flash drive and a USB stick?”<\/p>\n

There is none. These terms, along with thumb drive<\/a>, are used interchangeably. However, “Memory Stick<\/a>” and “Pen Drive” are associated with products by Sony Corporation and Phison Electronics Corporation, respectively.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n