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The Common Risk: Losing Data from Unfinished Writing
One main problem when you unplug a USB drive without ejecting it properly is that some data might not be fully saved. Computers often use something called write caching, which means they temporarily store data in memory before transferring it to the drive. When you eject a USB drive safely, it ensures all the data is saved and no files are left hanging.
Today, many systems turn off write caching for USB drives to reduce this risk. Still, data can get messed up if files are being written at that moment or if programs are using the drive.
File Organization and Metadata Issues
Even if it looks like no files are being copied, the computer might still be updating the drive’s metadata. Metadata is information about how files are arranged and stored. If you remove the drive while this is happening, it could corrupt the metadata. This could make your files disappear or stop working.
USB drives often use a file system called FAT. FAT systems are more likely to get corrupted because they don’t have advanced recovery features like other systems.
Changes in Modern USB Drive Settings
Since Windows 10 version 1809, the default setting for removable drives is “Quick Removal”. This setting lowers the risk of data loss by turning off write caching. With this setting, you don’t always have to eject the drive safely, as long as no files are being transferred.
But if you enable the “Better Performance” setting to make file transfers faster, you’ll need to safely eject the drive. This ensures any unsaved data gets written properly.
Special Devices and Uncommon Cases
Some special USB drives, like those used for software licenses or professional-grade storage, still require safe removal. Unplugging these devices without ejecting them could break them permanently, making them unusable.
So, while most regular USB drives don’t need as much caution anymore, there are still cases where safely ejecting is important.
Good Habits for Using USB Drives
Although technology has improved and data corruption is less common now, it’s still a good idea to build safe habits. Ejecting your USB drive properly can prevent problems, especially if you’re working on important or big files. It also ensures any programs or background processes using the drive finish what they’re doing.
Final Thoughts
Do you still need to safely eject USB drives? The answer isn’t simple. For everyday use, modern computers make it less necessary. But in special situations, like using certain devices or handling important data, ejecting safely is still a smart move.
Knowing your computer’s settings and the kind of data you’re working with can help you decide if safety is worth the extra step.
Source: Reddit
Read also: Understanding How Malicious USB Devices Infect Computers