How to Test USB Speed on PC or Mac

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: October 18, 2018 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to find the read and write speeds of a USB drive in Windows or macOS.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using USBDeview for Windows

1
Connect 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.
2
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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3
Press ⊞ Win+E. This opens the File Explorer.
4
Click the Downloads folder. It’s in the left panel. This displays the contents of your Downloads folder in the right panel.
5
Right-click the USBDeview zip file. It’s called USBDeview.zip or USBDeviewx64.zip, depending on the version. A menu will expand.
6
Click Extract All…. The "Extract Compressed Folders" window will appear.
7
Click Extract. The contents of the zip file will extract. When finished, you’ll be brought to the folder containing the installation files.
8
Double-click USBDeview. A security warning will appear.
9
Click Yes. The application will launch.
10
Click the USB drive you want to test. You may have to scroll down the list to find it.
11
Click the File menu. It’s at the top-left corner of the window.
12
Click Speed Test. It’s near the bottom of the menu.
13
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.”
14
Click Close. This closes the speed test.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Blackmagic Disk Speed Test for macOS

1
Connect 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.
2
Open the App Store
on your Mac. You’ll usually find it on the Dock.
3
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.
4
Click Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. It’s the black, gray, and blue speedometer icon.
5
Click GET.
6
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.
7
Click OPEN. This launches the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test app.
8
Click the gear icon. It’s between the two meters at the center of the app.
9
Click Select Target Drive.
10
Select your USB drive. It’ll be in the left column.
11
Click Open.
12
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.

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About This Article

Written by:

Nicole Levine, MFA

wikiHow Technology Writer

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 46,567 times.

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Co-authors: 3

Updated: October 18, 2018

Views: 46,567

Categories: External Storage Devices

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