5 the reason why I will by no means eliminate my USB sticks, and neither do you have to

Many individuals have written off USB sticks as irrelevant relics of a bygone period, since faster and more secure alternatives at the moment are obtainable for transferring knowledge. This can be true to an extent, and whereas I do not use them as a lot as I used to, USB sticks are nonetheless handy for sure duties and are worth having in 2025.

Sure, cloud storage is a secure method to again up giant quantities of knowledge, nevertheless it requires an account and month-to-month charges to maintain it working. There’s additionally the danger of knowledge breaches that might expose my private data to hackers. Exterior SSDs provide giant capacities, however aren’t transportable and might be overkill once I must retailer smaller quantities of knowledge. I exploit each of those strategies for knowledge storage, however I will by no means eliminate my USB sticks for these 5 causes, and neither do you have to.

They’re low-cost

A disposable storage possibility

USB sticks are ridiculously low-cost, and I can afford to have some mendacity round, even when I will not use them that always. Their low value means I can deal with them as disposable, and it is not a giant deal in the event that they get misplaced or broken. I additionally do not thoughts copying pictures or movies onto them and giving them to relations who aren’t tech-savvy and need to relive outdated reminiscences.

I normally purchase low to mid-capacity reminiscence sticks and discover they provide glorious worth in comparison with cloud storage. To place issues in perspective, Google expenses $2.99 a month for 100GB of cloud storage, and 128GB sticks are normally obtainable for a $15 one-time fee, they usually do not require a subscription or community connection to work. I can say the identical about 200GB of cloud storage at $4.99 per 30 days, in comparison with a 256GB USB drive priced at underneath $20.

Recuperate knowledge from crashed methods

Home windows PCs and laptops can crash unexpectedly, and reminiscence sticks are useful restore and restoration instruments. When my drive crashes, I create a Home windows 11 bootable USB drive to reinstall the OS on my laptop computer. This methodology is handy and simple, and I do not thoughts formatting a USB stick moderately than certainly one of my giant SSDs with a whole bunch of gigabytes of knowledge.

I’ve additionally had circumstances the place my laptop computer would not begin due to Home windows corruption. I wanted to make use of diagnostic instruments to resolve startup errors or again up important paperwork or photographs earlier than formatting the drive for a contemporary set up.

Bootable USB sticks with instruments, like Hiren’s or Ventoy have helped me get well knowledge and replica it onto an exterior drive earlier than trying repairs. These instruments may also repair some startup errors with out reloading Home windows.

Automobile audio

Streaming is not at all times an possibility

I largely use Spotify for music in my automotive, however I nonetheless discover it useful to have a reminiscence keep on with a set of my favourite songs plugged in. It is as a result of I usually go tenting to distant areas with restricted sign, and nonetheless need to take pleasure in my tunes with out lag or interruptions.

As a father, I generally haven’t got entry to my telephone whereas driving as a result of my daughter makes use of it to play video games or watch YouTube movies. It makes extra sense for me to maintain her occupied and pleased, and I do not lose out, as a result of I’ve a USB backup system to take heed to music.

Backup system

One other failsafe

I’ve misplaced valuable knowledge to crashed drives and stolen telephones prior to now, and I am now paranoid about backing up. My telephone and PC backup to the cloud, however I nonetheless choose to maintain my priceless footage and digital copies of my ID, certificates, and different vital paperwork on a USB stick for safekeeping.

I feel it is price it as a failsafe as a result of my complete picture library suits on a 512GB USB stick for round $35, and I’ve peace of thoughts that my knowledge is secure, with no danger of hacks or leaks. I even have a USB stick completely hooked up to my PS5, which I exploit to again up my video games and unencumber area on the inner storage.

Comfort

So simple as it will get

I do not use USB sticks day by day as I as soon as did, however I nonetheless carry one on my keys due to the unbelievable comfort it presents. It is a tiny, hack-proof storage gadget that I can use for knowledge switch wherever, with out logging in or requiring an web connection. My day by day carry USB stick has digital copies of my ID, medical health insurance data, and emergency contact particulars.

The sturdiness of USB sticks performs a large position of their comfort. Excessive-quality fashions from respected manufacturers will final for years, particularly if I am not writing data onto them day by day.

Lately, I do not thoughts paying a number of additional bucks for metallic USB sticks which can be powerful and water- and shock-resistant. They are not my first selection for knowledge storage, however I will by no means eliminate them as a result of they’re so helpful once I want them.