Extremely slow file transfer in Windows 11 to USB? This article offers effective solutions to help you speed up file transfers and improve overall performance. Discover the best ways to boost your transfer rates and eliminate delays.
If you're experiencing extremely slow file transfer speeds from Windows 11 to a USB drive, you're not alone. This frustrating issue can be caused by several factors:
◆ USB port version mismatch: Transferring data via a USB 3.0 device plugged into a USB 2.0 port will significantly reduce speed. Always connect to the blue USB 3.0 ports for better performance.
◆ Outdated or faulty USB drivers: Incompatible or outdated drivers can throttle transfer speeds. Updating drivers via Device Manager may resolve the issue.
◆ Slow or damaged USB drive: Older or low-quality USB flash drives often have slower write speeds. Some can only handle 5–10 MB/s, especially if they're formatted as FAT32.
◆ Wrong file system format: USBs formatted as FAT32 or exFAT may slow down when transferring large files. NTFS or exFAT is better for performance, especially with large data.
◆ Large number of small files: Transferring thousands of small files takes more time than fewer large files. Zipping files before transferring can speed things up.
◆ Windows 11 bugs or background processes: System processes, indexing, or antivirus scans can slow file transfers. Try disabling real-time protection temporarily to test speed.
◆ Write caching disabled: Enabling write caching on the USB device can improve performance, though it requires using "Safely Remove Hardware" before unplugging.
With the typical causes of sluggish file transfers in mind, it’s time to explore effective solutions for fixing slow file copying to USB drives in Windows 11.
Remote Differential Compression (RDC) can sometimes negatively impact both local and network file transfer speeds. If this feature is enabled and you're experiencing sluggish performance, turning it off may improve results.
Step 1. In the search bar, type "Windows Features" and select "Turn Windows features on or off" from the results.
Step 2. Find "Remote Differential Compression API Support" in the list, then uncheck the box next to it. Click "OK" to confirm.
Step 3. Restart your computer to apply the changes and check if file transfers are now faster.
For faster file transfers to or from a USB flash drive or external hard drive, always connect to a port that supports the device’s maximum speed—preferably USB 3.0 or 3.1. Using a slower port can bottleneck performance. Outdated USB drivers are another common culprit behind sluggish transfer speeds. Keeping them up to date can make a noticeable difference.
Step 1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Step 2. Scroll down and expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Step 3. Right-click the relevant USB driver and select Update driver.
Step 4. Click Search automatically for drivers and allow Windows to install the latest version.
Antivirus software often scans files during transfers, which can consume CPU and memory resources, leading to slower performance. Temporarily turning off real-time protection may help speed up the process—just be sure to re-enable it once the transfer is finished.
Step 1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
Step 2. Go to Update & Security, then click on Windows Security.
Step 3. Select Virus & threat protection, then click Manage settings under the same section.
Step 4. Turn off the toggle for Real-time protection.
Temporary files tend to pile up over time, consuming valuable disk space and slowing down overall system performance. Clearing them out not only frees up storage but can also enhance file transfer speeds.
Step 1. Type "disk cleanup" in the Windows search bar and press Enter to launch the tool.
Step 2. Choose the drive you want to clean from the drop-down list, then click OK.
Step 3. Select the checkboxes for the types of temporary files you want to remove. Click OK to begin the cleanup.
The Optimize Drives service helps accelerate data transfer by reorganizing fragmented data for more efficient access. This feature is especially beneficial for users transitioning from older systems like Windows 7 to newer versions such as Windows 10 or 11. Enabling automatic defragmentation ensures your drives stay optimized without manual intervention.
Step 1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2. Type services.msc and hit Enter to open the Services Manager.
Step 3. Scroll down to find Optimize Drives, then right-click it and choose Properties.
Step 4. In the Properties window, set the Startup type to Automatic. Click Start under Service status.
Step 5. Select Apply, then click OK to confirm.
Large Send Offload (LSO) is a network feature meant to boost performance by offloading tasks to the network adapter. However, it can sometimes backfire by letting applications hog too much bandwidth, which may slow down data transfers. Disabling LSO can help restore smoother performance.
Step 1. Open Device Manager by searching for it in the taskbar and clicking the result.
Step 2. Expand the Network Adapters section by clicking the > symbol.
Step 3. Right-click your active network adapter and choose Properties.
Step 4. Navigate to the Advanced tab, find Large Send Offload V2 (IPv4) and Large Send Offload V2 (IPv6), and set both to Disabled.
Step 5. Click OK to apply the changes.
If the problem continues even after trying all the above solutions, don't worry. In some cases, the USB drive itself may have bad sectors, which can significantly slow down file transfers. To resolve this, formatting the drive and checking for bad sectors might be necessary—just make sure to back up your important data beforehand.
Since improper formatting can lead to data loss, corruption, or compatibility problems, it's important to use reliable software for the job. AOMEI Partition Assistant is a trusted solution for safely formatting USB drives and repairing potential sector issues.
This powerful tool offers a comprehensive suite of disk management features, including partition resizing, disk cloning, drive repair, and much more, all tailored to simplify drive maintenance and boost performance.
Step 1. Download AOMEI Partition Assistant, install and run it. In the main interface, right-click the target drive and select “Format Partition”.
Step 2. In this small window, specify the file system of the drive based on your own demand and click “OK”.
Step 3. Preview the operation. Then, click “Apply” and “Proceed” to perform it.
Several effective methods can help improve slow file transfer speeds on Windows 11. Disabling features like Remote Differential Compression (RDC) and Large Send Offload can boost transfer rates. Additionally, keeping your drivers updated and regularly clearing temporary files can make a noticeable difference.
For a smoother, more convenient fix, consider using AOMEI Partition Assistant. This versatile tool not only accelerates file transfers but also allows you to migrate applications and user profiles between drives or computers without the need for reinstallation.