You've used USB sticks to transport files between computers and back up files. But did you know about the other uses for a USB stick? You can use one to lock and unlock your computer---just like in the movies.

You can also use a USB flash drive to quickly connect to a wireless network on all your PCs, increase your computer's performance, or even run a web server---directly from the USB stick itself.

Here are several cool things to do with a USB drive.

1. Use a USB Flash Drive to Lock/Unlock Your PC

Do you want to lock and unlock your computer with a physical key, like they do in the movies? With the PREDATOR tool, you can. It's available for Windows 10,

PREDATOR turns a USB flash drive into an access control device---a key for your computer. When you leave your PC, unplug the USB stick and your computer will be locked. When you return, plug it back in and your computer will be unlocked.

It's like using the Lock function in Windows, but you don't have to type your password when you return.

PREDATOR is available in three editions:

  • Home Edition - $10, no support
  • Professional Edition - $15, no support
  • Professional Edition + 1y Support - $30, 12 months support

Download: PREDATOR for Windows

2. Run Portable Apps Anywhere With a USB Flash Drive

One of the oddest things about software is that it usually needs to be installed. With portable apps, however, that isn't the case.

Portable apps and games can be easily copied to a USB stick, then run from any suitable device. This is usually a 32-bit or 64-bit PC. Browsers, email tools, messaging apps, and games can all be run from a USB flash drive.

It's a particularly useful solution if you're keen to keep a selection of apps close to hand to use on any PC that might be nearby. This might be in a library, or even a cyber café at a holiday resort.

Check our list of the best portable apps to find a host of cool things to put on a USB stick.

3. Increase Performance With ReadyBoost

use a USB drive to make your PC faster

If you have a slow hard disk drive in your computer, ReadyBoost can help speed things up. When you enable ReadyBoost for a drive, it acts as a hard drive cache, caching frequently used files. If it's faster to read from the USB stick instead of your HDD, Windows will read the flash drive cache instead.

You won't see much of a performance boost if you have a 7200+ RPM drive. If you have a solid-state drive, Windows won't let you use ReadyBoost because the cache will be slower than your SSD.

To enable ReadyBoost, right-click a USB stick in Windows Explorer, select Properties, and use the options on the ReadyBoost tab. Windows will only let you enable ReadyBoost if your USB stick is fast enough, so you might see these options grayed out for some devices. ReadyBoost also requires a flash drive with at least 256 MB of free space.

4. Back Up Your USB Drive With Win32 Disk Imager

Backup your USB flash drive

If you're using your USB flash stick for many purposes, it might be useful to back up the contents. An easy way to do this is with Win32 Disk Imager.

Although Win32 Disk Imager is usually used to write bootable disk images to flash drives, it can also create images. Simply install and run the tool, insert the USB stick, and select a destination and name for the Image File. Click Read to clone the disk contents.

When you need to restore the disk image, simply browse to the image and click Write.

Download: Win32 Disk Imager for Windows

5. Store Vital Travel Documents

If you travel often, you've probably mislaid documents. Visas, booking confirmations, even passports can easily go missing. Packing papers in the wrong bag can lead to problems if baggage handlers make a mistake.

One of the most important things you can put on a USB are your travel documents. Simply slip it into your wallet or bag and carry it with you. It might even be worth scanning your passport to provide immigration with the information they need to conduct background checks if your passport has gone missing.

6. Install Almost Any Operating System With a USB Stick

Bootable USB disk images of operating systems can be used to install a new OS on your PC.

For example, Windows 10 users can create a bootable USB installer disk using a dedicated tool. In the event of a problem with the operating system, this can be used to recover or even reinstall Windows.

Similarly, all manner of Linux based operating systems can be installed from USB.

It's even possible to create a USB installer disk for macOS.

7. Stay Secure Online With Tails Live Operating System

Alternatively, you might be looking for an OS that you can run from USB to keep your online activity private.

The solution to this is Tails, which unlike standard operating systems, preserves your privacy and anonymity. No logs are kept on the operating system. Meanwhile, state of the art cryptographic software encrypts your files, emails, and instant messages, while internet data is routed via Tor.

Each time you use Tails on your USB flash drive, it starts a whole new session, retaining no data. This helps to enhance your online privacy and security---just be sure to use secure passwords!

Download: Tails live operating system

8. Boot a Live Operating System With Your Flash Drive

uses for USB flash drive

You don't have to install a whole new operating system on your computer with a USB drive. You might just boot one instead.

From portable versions of Windows to "Live" builds of Linux operating systems, this option has a huge privacy advantage. You see, the OS is loaded into the computer's memory, which means when the computer restarts, data about your activity is lost.

Furthermore, you can keep your portable operating system in your pocket, ready to plug into any computer. As cool things to do with a USB stick go, this is up there with the best.

9. Make a Password Reset Disk on USB for Windows 10

Concerned you'll forget your Windows 10 password? Already lost it?

If you use a local account in Windows, there is no easy way to reset the password if you forget it. The online account (e.g. one that uses an @outlook.com account) can be reset from any other device, but with a local account, things are different.

Your choice is simple: abandon the account, or make a password reset disk. For the second option, plug in a formatted USB stick, click Start, and type "password reset disk." When you see Create a password reset disk click Open and follow the instructions.

It's a good idea to permanently use the USB flash drive for this purpose, so keep it in a drawer for next time, just in case.

10. Rescue Your PC From Hardware Failure and Viruses

If your PC has crashed and you need to recover it, or retrieve data from your hard disk, a USB disk is perfect. Flash drives are ideal for this, able to store and boot recovery tools to help you fix your computer.

These tools include:

  • Hiren's BootCD
  • SystemRescue
  • Knoppix
  • Ultimate Boot CD
  • Bootable Rescue Disk
  • Trinity Rescue Disk

All these tools will run from USB. Simply download the preferred tool, write to USB, and boot your prone computer from the USB stick.

Read More: Rescue and Recovery Disks for System Restore

That's 10 Different Ways You Can Use a USB Flash Drive

By now you should have an idea of the different ways you can use a USB flash device.

  1. Unlock your PC
  2. Run portable apps
  3. Improve Windows performance
  4. Store vital documents for travel
  5. Backup your USB flash device
  6. Install any operating system
  7. Stay secure with Tails operating system
  8. Boot an operating system
  9. Make a password reset disk for Windows 10
  10. Rescue your PC from hardware failure and viruses

if you've every wondered what you can do with a USB flash drive, now you know. Struggling to get your USB device to work? It could be a problem with your computer.