How to Download Content to an SD Card on PC and Mac

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

This article explains how to download a file from the web and store it directly on an SD card using a Windows or Mac computer. If your computer does not have a built-in SD card reader, you will need to purchase an external USB one or borrow it from a friend.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Download a File from the Web (Windows and Mac)

Step 1. Insert the SD card into the computer reader

If your device doesn't have a built-in SD card reader, you can purchase an external USB one that you can connect to your computer by simply plugging the cable into a free USB port.

Step 2. Launch the internet browser of your choice

To download a file from the web and store it directly on an SD card, you can use any browser, such as Safari or Chrome.

Step 3. Change your browser download settings

The steps to follow vary depending on the internet browser in use:

• Safari (for Mac only)

  • Click on the menu Safari visible at the top left of the screen, then select the option Preferences;
  • Select the option Ask for each download from the "File Download Location" drop-down menu and if you want the files to be automatically stored on the SD card, choose the option Other, then select the removable memory drive.

• Chrome

  • Click on the button ⋮ located in the upper right corner of the window and select the item Settings;
  • Scroll down the menu that appeared and click on the link Advanced settings;
  • Scroll down the page to the "Download" section;
  • Activate the slider "Ask where to save the file before downloading it" and if you want the files to be automatically stored on the SD card, click on the button Change, then select the SD card.

• Firefox

  • Click on the button ☰ and choose the voice Preferences;
  • Scroll down the page that appeared to the "Download" section and click on the radio button Ask where to save each file; if you want the files to be automatically stored on the SD card, click the button Browse, then select the SD card.

  

  Step 4. Visit the website that contains the file you want to download

  

  Step 5. Click on the link to download the file in question

  If you have configured your browser to ask you from time to time where to store the files you will download from the web, the "Save As" dialog box will appear.

  • If, on the other hand, you have configured the SD card as the default location to save all the content you download from the web, the file will be automatically stored on the memory card.
  • If you want to download an image, click the corresponding icon with the right mouse button and choose the option Save image as ….

  

  Step 6. Select the SD card as the folder to download

  Click on the drop-down menu Located in, then select the SD card. It should be listed at the top of the "Devices" section.

  

  Step 7. Click on the Save menu

  It is blue in color and located in the lower right corner of the save window. The file will be stored on the SD card.

  Method 2 of 2: Copy Files to the SD Card (Windows)

  

  Step 1. Insert the SD card into the computer reader

  If your device doesn't have a built-in SD card reader, you can purchase an external USB one that you can connect to your computer by simply plugging the cable into a free USB port.

  

  Step 2. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + E

  The Windows "File Explorer" system window will appear.

  

  Step 3. Navigate to the folder containing the file you want to copy to the SD card

  If you are having difficulty locating the items to be transferred to the SD card, you can search using the text field located in the upper right corner of the window.

  

  Step 4. Select the files to copy

  If you need to copy multiple items, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on the icon of each file to include in the selection.

  

  Step 5. Click on the file selection with the right mouse button

  A context menu will be displayed.

  

  Step 6. Click on the Copy option

  

  Step 7. Access the SD card

  Scroll down the list displayed in the left pane of the window until you reach the section dedicated to memory drives, then double-click the SD card icon. In this way, the contents of the tab will be displayed inside the right pane of the window.

  If you are using a USB external SD card reader, it will appear in the list with a name similar to "USB Drive" or "Removable Device"

  

  Step 8. Click on an empty spot in the right window pane - the one showing the contents of the SD card - with the right mouse button

  A context menu will be displayed.

  

  Step 9. Click on the Paste option

  The selected file or files will be copied to the SD card.