As a portable storage device, USB flash drive is widely used in personal and office scenarios. However, due to its portability and ease of use, it is also prone to being a source of risk for data breaches and privacy violations. In order to protect personal privacy and the security of important data, we need to master some skills and methods for deleting traces of USB flash drive usage records. This topic will introduce several common methods to clear traces of usage records in a USB flash drive.
Delete files manually.
The easiest way is to manually delete the files from the USB flash drive. Find the drive symbol of the USB flash drive on your computer, open it, and select the file or folder you want to delete, right-click and select the "Delete" option. In this way, the deleted files will be moved to the station, and they can be completely deleted by emptying the station.
Use the Command Prompt.
The Windows system provides a powerful command prompt tool that can be used to delete files and folders in bulk. First, plug the USB flash drive into your computer, open a command prompt window (press the Win + R keys, type "cmd" and press the Enter key). Then, use the "cd" command to switch to the root directory of the USB flash drive, for example, "cd f:" (f stands for the drive letter of the USB flash drive). Next, use the "del" command to delete the file or folder, such as "del file."txt”（file.txt is the name of the file to be deleted). Finally, press the Enter key to execute the command.
Use of third-party software.
In addition to manually removing and using the Command Prompt, you can also use third-party software to help remove traces of usage records from the USB flash drive. There are many free and paid disk cleanup tools to choose from, such as CCleaner, DiskMax, and more. These tools can scan and erase usage traces such as temporary files, cache files, and browser history from USB flash drives. Before using these tools, make sure to start with a trusted *** and read the instructions for use of the software carefully.
Format the USB flash drive.
If none of the above methods meet your needs, or you want to completely erase all data and traces of usage records in the USB flash drive, then the best way is to format the USB flash drive. Formatting will completely delete all the data on the USB flash drive and restore it to its original state. Please note that formatting will result in the loss of all data on the USB flash drive, so be sure to back up your important files and data before formatting.
Related Questions Column:
What are the traces of usage records in the USB flash drive?
The traces of usage records in the USB flash drive include information such as the time when the file was created, modified, and accessed, as well as the browser's history, cache files, and temporary files.
Why do I need to clear the traces of usage records in a USB flash drive?
Clearing the traces of usage records in the USB flash drive can protect personal privacy and the security of important data, and prevent others from obtaining sensitive information or misusing data.
In addition to manually deleting and using the Command Prompt, what other methods can be used to clear the traces of usage records in the USB flash drive?
Third-party software can be used to help erase traces of usage history from USB flash drives, which can scan and erase temporary files, cache files, browser history, and more.
What kind of data loss will be caused by formatting the USB flash drive?
Formatting the USB flash drive will result in the loss of all data on the USB flash drive, including files, folders, etc. So, make sure to back up your important files and data before formatting.