Short Answer - Yes.


Slightly longer Answer:


All USB drives should be readable in our machines that are formatted to work on Windows (NTFS or exFAT) or universally (FAT). However, to safeguard confidential staff and patient data against going anywhere it shouldn't, files cannot be edited on or saved to ordinary removable media, nor can cutting or pasting occur (copying from the device however is allowed). If you need this functionality whilst you're in the centres, see this article.


It's important to note that other filing systems such as those on drives formatted for Mac (HFS) or Linux (ext 2/3/4) aren't supported or often readable on Windows and therefore won't show up in Computer on the Trust PCs.


To check on your own machine if your drive will be usable in advance of your session:


On Windows


10, 8.1 or 8 - Open This PC/Computer in the Desktop App or by searching in the Start Menu. Then insert your drive into a free USB port. Right click the icon that appears and select Properties in the menu. If the value next to File System is either 'NTFS' or a variation of 'FAT', the drive should be compatible.

7 or Vista - Open Computer on the Desktop, through Windows Explorer (File icon on the taskbar) or by going to Start and clicking Computer in the right column. Then insert your drive into a free USB port. Click the icon that appears once and look in the lower bar of the window. If the value next to File System is either 'NTFS' or a variation of 'FAT,' the drive should be compatible.

 XP or Older - Open My Computer  on the Desktop or through Windows Explorer. Then insert your drive into a free USB port. Right click the icon that appears and select Properties in the menu. If the value next to File System is either 'NTFS' or a variation of 'FAT', the drive should be compatible.


On MacOS/OSX


Insert your device into a free USB port. Right click or Ctrl+Click the icon that appears on your desktop and select Get Info in the menu. If the value next to Format says 'Windows NT Filesystem (NTFS)' or  'MS-DOS (FAT)', the drive should be compatible.


On Linux Distros

Due to the large number of operating systems, desktop environments and file managers available, it's impossible to provide a step by step guide for desktops. However, it's possible to check your device through the command line through the Terminal (or derivative name). Open your respective version by searching for Terminal in your application's launcher and type the following command:



df -T

Now insert your USB device and type the above command again. Check for a new new line that should have appeared in the list (usually named /dev/sdb or /dev/sdc). If the value in the Type column is 'vfat', the drive should be compatible.