KeyRoutines
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How to run something when a USB drive is plugged in

Use KeyRoutines' Device connected trigger with your drive's name, a Wait until with File or folder exists for its drive letter, then Format date, Create folder and Move or copy file in copy mode to back up a folder onto it. Show banner tells you when it's safe to unplug.

Steps

  1. 1

    Watch for the drive

    Add Device connected and type part of the drive's name as Windows shows it, such as SanDisk.

  2. 2

    Wait for the drive letter

    Add Wait until with File or folder exists for E:\ and a timeout of 30 seconds.

  3. 3

    Make a dated folder

    Add Format date with yyyy-MM-dd and Create folder E:\Backups\date.

  4. 4

    Copy your files

    Add Move or copy file in copy mode with your project folder as the source and the dated folder as the destination.

  5. 5

    Say when it's done

    Add Show banner "Backup finished, safe to unplug".

Tips

  • Give the drive a fixed letter in Disk Management so it always mounts as the same letter.
  • Device connected only fires for devices that connect while KeyRoutines runs, not ones already plugged in.

Questions

Is this the same as Windows AutoPlay?
AutoPlay offers a choice of a few actions. A routine can do anything with the drive: copy, zip, open apps or sort files.
Can it run when a specific phone or camera connects?
Yes, if it shows up as a device in Windows. Use its name in Device connected.

Blocks this routine uses

Trigger · DevicesFree

Device connected

Device connected starts a routine when a USB device or a paired Bluetooth device connects. Name one device, or leave the name empty to react to any.

Condition · FilesFree

File or folder exists

File or folder exists is a condition that answers one question: is this path there right now, and does it look the way you expect? People use it to skip a step when a file is missing, or to hold a routine until an export or render has finished saving.

Step · Data and variablesFree

Format date

Format date writes a date as text in the layout you choose. It's the step behind dated file names, readable times in messages and timestamps in log files.

Step · FilesFree

Create folder

Create folder makes a folder, including any folders above it that don't exist yet. It is often the first step before moving or saving files into a dated location.

Step · FilesFree

Move or copy file

Move or copy file puts a file or folder somewhere else, either moving it or leaving the original and making a copy. It is the workhorse behind download sorting, archiving and backup routines.

Step · NotificationsFree

Show banner

Show banner puts a large text message on screen for a set time. Unlike a Windows notification, it still shows when a borderless full-screen app is in front, and it never takes the mouse or keyboard.

More how-to guides

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