How to Check If My Flash Drive Still Has Data on it

With a flash drive, you can store and backup important information including documents, web pages, music and videos. It is important to check if your flash drive still has sensitive and personal information, especially if you are giving it to someone or no longer using it. Verify the existence of data on your flash drive easily whether you are using a PC or Mac.

Instructions

1. Plug your flash drive into an open USB port on your computer. Depending on your computer manufacturer, USB ports are located on the back or front of your computer.

2. Double-click "My Computer" on the desktop to launch Windows Explorer. You should see your flash drive listed as a portable hard disk and assigned a letter such as J,K, D, or G depending on your computer. For Mac users, the flash drives icon is displayed on the desktop.

3. Double-click your flash drives icon to launch the hard disk. You should see any files, folders or components that are on your flash drive.

4. Close the flash drive hard disk window after you finish verifying if you have data on your device. Click the "Safely remove hardware" icon located on the system tray next to the clock if you are using Windows. A new hardware window opens.

5. Click your flash drives assigned letter in the hardware window and click "Stop." When prompted, unplug your flash drive from the computer. For Mac users, right-click the flash drive icon on the desktop and click "Eject." The flash drives icon disappears from the desktop. Unplug the flash drive from the computer.

References

• wellesley.edu: Using a Flash Drive