# Uploading from Chrome for Windows

While you're writing and testing your programs, you'll mostly be [running them
in the simulator](/device/simulator), but once you've finished your program you
can **compile** it and run it on your micro:bit.

The basic steps are:

1. Connect your micro:bit to your computer via USB
2. Click **Download** and download the `.hex` file
3. Copy the `.hex` file from your computer onto the micro:bit drive

## Requirements

You need the following things to transfer and run a script on your micro:bit:

* A-Male to Micro USB cable to connect your computer to your micro:bit. This is
    the same cable that is commonly used to connect a smart phone to a computer.
* A PC running Windows 7 or later, or a Mac running OS X 10.6 or later

## Step 1: Connect your micro:bit to your computer

First, connect the micro:bit:

1. Connect the small end of the USB cable to the micro USB port on your micro:bit.

2. Connect the other end of the USB cable to a USB port on your computer.

Your computer should recognise your micro:bit as a new drive. On computers
running Windows, `MICROBIT` appears as a drive under Devices and drives. On a Mac
it appears as a new drive under Devices.

![](/static/mb/device/usb-windows-device.jpg)

## Step 2 (optional): Configure Chrome to ask where to save the file

You only need to do this once.

1. Open the **Settings** for Chrome.
2. Click **Advanced** at the bottom of the page.
3. Find the **Downloads** settings.
4. Enable the setting **Ask where to save each file before downloading**.

## Step 3: Download your program

1. Open your project on [pxt.microbit.org](https://pxt.microbit.org)
2. Click **Download**
3. If you did Step 2 above, Chrome will ask where to save the `.hex` file,
    so save it into the `MICROBIT` drive.
    Otherwise, continue with one of the options in Step 4 below.

## Step 4: Transfer the file to your micro:bit

If the file was saved onto your computer, you will need to transfer it to the micro:bit.

### Manual transfer

Your `.hex` file (created in Step 3 above) appears as a download at the bottom of the browser.
Click on the arrow next to the name of the file and then click **Show in folder**.

![](/static/mb/device/usb-windows-chrome.png)

In File Explorer, drag and drop the `.hex` file from the download folder onto the `MICROBIT` drive.

Alternatively, right-click on the hex file, choose **Send to**, and then **MICROBIT**.

![](/static/mb/device/usb-windows-sendto.jpg)

### micro:bit uploader

You can use the [micro:bit uploader](/uploader) to automatically deploy ``.hex`` files to your micro:bit!
![](/static/uploader/tooltip.png)

## Step 5: After transferring the file

* The LED on the back of your micro:bit flashes during the transfer (which 
    should only take a few seconds).
* Once transferred, the code will run automatically on your micro:bit. To rerun
   your program, press the reset button on the back of your micro:bit. The reset 
   button automatically runs the newest file on the micro:bit.
* By copying the script onto the `MICROBIT` drive, you have programmed it into the
   flash memory on the micro:bit, which means even after you unplug the micro:bit,
   your program will still run if the micro:bit is powered by battery.

### ~hint

Transfer not working? See some [troubleshooting tips](/device/usb/troubleshooting).

### ~