Having a file that is too large to fit on a USB drive is a common problem many of us face. With file sizes increasing for photos, videos, documents, and more, it’s easy to try saving or transferring a file only to get an error that there is not enough space. There are several ways to work around this issue so you can get your files to fit on your USB drive. Let’s go through some quick solutions, then dive into more detail on the best options.
Quick Fixes
Here are some quick things to try if a file is too large for your USB drive:
- Compress the file using zipping software to make it smaller.
- Split the file into smaller parts using file splitting software.
- Use a USB drive with more storage capacity.
- Upload the file online to a cloud storage service instead.
- Burn the file to a CD/DVD if storage space allows.
These solutions provide fast, simple ways to get your file transferred without having to resize it. But for a more permanent fix, we recommend exploring the best options covered next.
Compress the File
One of the easiest ways to shrink a large file is to use compression software. Compression works by analyzing your file and identifying areas where redundant data can be reduced or eliminated. This process shrinks the overall file size so it takes up less space.
There are many free compression tools available to use. Some popular options include:
- ZIP files – Zip is one of the most common compression formats used online. Files like documents, photos, videos and more can usually be effectively compressed into a much smaller .zip file.
- RAR files – RAR is another compression format similar to ZIP. It also works well at shrinking large file sizes.
- 7-Zip – 7-Zip is a free compression program that supports a wide range of formats like ZIP, RAR, 7z, GZ, BZ2, TAR and more.
- WinZIP – WinZIP is a paid compression tool for Windows that includes features like encryption and cloud storage support.
- WinRAR – WinRAR is another paid Windows compression utility with its own RAR format and added security options.
To compress a file:
- Install your chosen compression software.
- Locate the file you want to compress.
- Right click the file and select the option to compress it, usually to ZIP or RAR format.
- The file will now be compressed to a smaller size with the new extension like .zip or .rar added.
After compressing the file, you can now try transferring it to your USB drive again. Just remember to uncompress the file after transferring it using your compression software’s extraction or decompression feature.
Split the File
If compression doesn’t shrink the file size enough, another option is splitting the file into smaller parts. File splitting tools work by dividing your large file into multiple smaller sized files that take up less individual space.
Some popular free file splitting programs include:
- 7-Zip – 7-Zip’s file splitter can divide files automatically based on file size.
- WinRAR – WinRAR includes a split function to break up archives into divided volumes.
- HJSplit – HJSplit is designed specifically for splitting any file type into tiny files.
- Free File Splitter – Does basic file splitting functions for free.
To split a file:
- Download and install a file splitter program.
- Select the large file you want to split.
- Choose the split settings like number of pieces or file size per split.
- The program will split the large file into multiple smaller files.
You can then copy the split files over to your USB drive individually. To recombine the files, put all the split files back in one folder and use your splitting tool’s merge function.
Get a USB with More Storage
If your USB drive simply doesn’t have enough storage capacity for the large file, getting one with more space is a guaranteed solution.
Here are some tips for choosing a higher capacity USB drive:
- Look for USB 3.0 for faster transfer speeds.
- Minimum 64GB for handling large files, but 128GB+ is better.
- Get a name brand like SanDisk, Samsung for reliability.
- USB-C models work with latest USB-C ports and devices.
- Retractable design protects the connector when not in use.
Larger USB drives are more affordable than ever. For around $20 you can find 128GB models, with 256GB drives costing $30+. The added space means you can easily transfer big files without constant compression or splitting required.
Some top high capacity USB drives include:
| USB Drive | Storage | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 | 256GB | 130MB/s read | $36 |
| Samsung BAR Plus USB 3.1 | 256GB | 300MB/s read | $45 |
| PNY Pro Elite USB 3.0 | 512GB | 400MB/s read | $100 |
With 256GB or higher USB drives, you’ll have plenty of room for even the largest files, videos, photos and other media.
Use Cloud Storage Services
If you need to frequently transfer large files between devices, cloud storage services offer a convenient alternative to USB drives. They provide ample secure online storage that you can access from anywhere.
Some top options include:
- Google Drive – 15GB free storage, paid plans up to 30TB.
- Dropbox – 2GB free storage, paid plans up to 5TB.
- Microsoft OneDrive – 5GB free storage, paid plans up to 6TB.
- Box – 10GB free storage, paid plans up to unlimited.
- pCloud – 10GB free storage, paid plans up to 2TB.
To use cloud storage for large files:
- Sign up for an account with your chosen provider.
- Install the desktop app and/or mobile app to access files easily.
- Upload your large files to the cloud storage platform.
- Share transfer links if need to provide files access.
- Download the files as needed to any device.
Cloud services make accessing your files easy from anywhere with an internet connection. They provide robust tools for sharing and collaboration as well. With huge amounts of available storage space, you’ll be able to upload your largest files problem-free.
Burn to CDs/DVDs
For very large files and collections of media, burning to CDs or DVDs can provide ample room for storage and transfer. Blank discs are cheap and readily available.
Here are some tips for effectively transferring large files with discs:
- Use CDs for files under 700MB, DVDs for up to 4.7GB per disc.
- Blu-Ray discs store up to 25GB for the largest files.
- Verify disc integrity after burning to catch any errors.
- Handle discs carefully to avoid surface scratches.
- Test files on the target computer before deleting originals after transfer.
To burn large files to disc using Windows:
- Insert a blank disc into your PC’s optical drive.
- Open File Explorer and browse to the files to burn.
- Select the files and right-click, choose Send to > CD/DVD drive.
- Windows Disc Image Burner will open to burn files to the disc.
- Customize settings if needed then click Burn to start recording.
- Eject disc after verification to complete transfer process.
While lacking the convenience of USB drives, burning discs provides much more storage potential in a stable physical format. Just take precautions to keep your burned discs protected and maintained once created.
Conclusion
Dealing with files too large for USB doesn’t have to halt your transfer needs. Using file compression tools, splitting programs, upgraded USB drives, cloud storage services or disc burning, you can reliably move large files between computers and devices. Finding the right method for your specific files allows you to copy even the biggest individual or collections of data.
Quick fixes like zipping, splitting or disc burning offer immediate solutions for large file transfer in a pinch. For ongoing large file storage and access, high capacity USB drives or cloud storage services are preferable. Combining compression along with these other techniques also provides added flexibility and efficiency.
With the right tools and techniques, oversized files that exceed USB drive limits can become easy to manage. Follow the options outlined to ensure you can always move, share and store files of any size with minimal hassle.