- 1). Use the external hard drive's USB cable to connect it to your computer. The USB end of the cable will go into the computer, while the smaller end will fit into the hard drive.
- 2
This is an example of the USB end of your drive cable.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Wait several seconds for your computer to detect the external hard drive. - 3). Open up "My Computer." Your external hard drive will be displayed here as an accessible storage location. You can now transfer and access files on the external hard drive in the same manner as you do on the internal hard drive.
