Windows 10: I have several USB flash memory sticks which I have copied files to, the files take up...

I have several Modern USB drives over 128Gb, which when files are copied to the drive, then disappear from the usb filing system.They still take up the original space in properties for the drive.They are not hidden as I have changed attributes to reveal all files on driveThey are not effected by a virus.NTFS. Fat32, and Exfat drives are all effected.The usb's are being used to backup hard drive data in excess of 100Gb, so I need to recover the data.I have tried data recovery programs and they all fail, corrupting the usb and leaving a lot of lost files instead of the original saved files.It se

:)

 

Protecting files on a USB stick?

Even if you restrict access to read only, they can still copy the program. Read access is all copy needs.

My suggestion for simplicity is to create a small file on the drive and mark it hidden as well as marking it a system file, so even if they turn hidden files on the file won't show up. Put this file in a separate folder that is also marked as system, name the folder something random and windows important sounding. So even if they do find it, they won't know what it is and should ignore it. Then make the main program check for the file on execution and exit if the file isn't on the flash drive.

This should fool 90% of people unless they are pretty computer literate.

 

Java.nio.file - Copying files

You can't copy a folder, thats why it generates an exception (you are trying to copy a folder using a copy file function).
You probably need to list all the files inside that folder and copy one by one

 

Protecting files on a USB stick?

KISS

All you need to do is restrict access to the folder that contains the files. If only you can read/modify the files then they can't copy them. This should also allow you to use the program, as shortcuts will allow the program to be ran.