Portable USB Smartdrive Files - U3P File Extensions for Portable Software Applications & Data Files

File Extension U3P refers to all files (applications and data) that go by the USB portable design formats. They are made portable through USB drives & smart drives.

Many of the U3P files run into problems with the OS upgrades. For example, File Extension U3P that used to work well with Windows XP do not work with Windows Vista.

In cases like this the U3 Launchpad have to be upgraded to make the portable files work again on Vista. SanDisk has been the major maker of U3P portable Smart Drives. And SanDisk along with Microsoft are working on an enterprise deployment procedure for all portable software & data based applications.

The Launchpad is the core of the U3P system. Very similar in looks like the Windows Start Menu, it provides quick access to all the software & data files on the Smart Drive.

Large number of software makers are now releasing portable software in the File Extension U3P. There are also numerous Open Source software available already for portable Smart Drives.

Smart Drives also come in with security options. You can lock the U3 smart drive’s data partition with a password so that files will remain secure, complete with password hint. When security is enabled, the CD-ROM partition will load first, and will only enable the data partition after authentication.

A password hint can be specified for those with bad memories, and in a worst case scenario the entire data partition can be erased if the password is truly forgotten.

The U3 application platform is likely to gain popularity in the future. However, the major constraint of the Smar Drive format in the current days is its incompatibility with different types of Operating Systems. With the transition of Apple Max computers onto Intel based x86 models, that gap is soon going to be bridged too.