Backing up - USB Flash Drive
Windows version
If the file is important...
If you have computer data, pictures, files, etc. that are important to you, you need to have copies on different drives. The more important the files, the more copies in more locations you need for safety. Even if you've never lost a file before, or perhaps even more so, you will benefit from habitually backing up data.
Your best place for backup in MSAD #50 is the file server for your school. However, if you work in multiple schools or are working at home, then a USB flash drive will be helpful. But keep in mind, USB drives, also, can fail, so you may want to have more than one of them and keep copies on the server.
Where are your files?
Backing up files is much easier when you know where you are saving your files. Windows generally offers to save your files in the "My Documents" folder. This can be very helpful to use. You may even want to create folders within that folder to make finding files easier--rather like a physical file cabinet.
If you have not been keeping your files in such a folder, you may want to consider gathering your files and organizing them in a way that makes sense to you. However, if you saved the file from Word to your desktop, and then drag the file to the "My Documents" folder, you won't be able to open the file from its filename at the bottom of the "File" menu in Word or the "My Recent Documents" menu off the "Start" menu. Just keep that in mind. Your file won't be gone, you just will need to go to the new location to open it.
Using Your Flash Drive
The first time you insert your flash drive into the USB port of a Windows XP system, you will see a message in the System Tray (the area on the Task Bar near the clock) that new hardware has been found. You may even be asked what you want to do when that device is used. You may choose whatever seems appropriate to you. It is possible to change it later, so no need to agonize.
Once you've inserted your flash drive, if it doesn't open automatically, go to My Computer, and open it from the drives available under "Devices with Removable 
Storage". When you have it open, you can open "My Documents", or wherever you've saved your files, and drag them to the flash drive for back up.
Removing the flash drive
To remove your flash drive, click on the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in the System Tray, 
then choose your flash drive from the list given.
When Windows says it is safe to do so, remove your flash drive.
Storage
You will want to keep your flash drive in a safe place. You may also wish to have several with the same files for extra security.
What if Windows says the Device Cannot be Removed?
If you see a message telling you that the drive is in use and cannot be removed, it may still be busy copying. If, however, you've seen the copy window close and there really appears to be no activity, wait several minutes and try again. Occasionally, Windows does seem to want to hang on to a device. If you can safely shut Windows down normally, when the computer is off, it will be safe to remove the flash drive
Outline of Basic Steps
- Know where your files are saved
- Insert flash drive
- Open flash drive
- Open folder containing files
- Drag files/folders to flash drive
- Eject flash drive using the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in the System Tray.
- Physically remove flash drive after Windows tells you that it is safe to do so.