File limit on the Root

There is a limit on how many files can be on the root of a drive. Click here for more information.

Drive may be corrupted

Sometimes the drive can get corrupted. If you cannot access any of the files, and you might have the computer show you with more empty space than is available (For example, Computer may say you have 10 gigs of free space but when you try to save 2 gigs of files, the computer tells you there is not enough space on the drive)

If you can't, you may need to format the drive (notice, formatting will delete any files on the drive. If you do have the ability to save files on the drive, you need to do that before doing the formatting)

If you have files on it that you cannot access but need to try to recover, you can check the drive for viruses or spyware to see if that helps. Use the Virus and Spyware troubleshooter.

To format the drive, do the following

1. Go to Computer or My Computer

2. Right-click on your flash drive

3. Click format

4. Uncheck Quick Format

5. Click Start

Recycle Bin

When you delete a file on the C drive, it is not deleted from your hard drive. You will not see it listed in the location it was at but it is moved to the recycle bin. The file is still taking up space on the C drive. It will not be removed from your C drive, till you empty the recycle bin.

Usually however, when you delete files from a flash drive, the files do not get moved to the recycle bin, s this may not be our issues. It depends on the settings of your recycle bin.

Bad Drive

Flash drives are not durable. They will fail. If you are having an issue with a drive and cannot resolve the issue, the drive may need to e replaced.

Do not use a flash drive as your only method of backing up important data. If you do, make sure the data is backed up on more than one flash drive. This is because they will fail.

Click here for additional information on flash drive issues.