Windows 10: Problem deleting files from USB stick

Recently this process has slowed down or become impossible. Windows Explorer spends hours, even whole days, "deleting" files from a USB stick, slowing down other Explorer functions as a consequence...and then I may find that after all that wait, the selected files weren't deleted at all!This problem isn't specific to a certain USB stick, it's happened on a couple so far. They're not old in fact one is very new, and they're not "corrupt" at least, no error messages or function problems so far.

:)

 

USB stick problem

I can't guarantee that it is the exact reason why your USB stick is having problem but that's one of the reasons why this issue happens. I suggest to always use the "Safely remove hardware and eject media" option in your system tray before unplugging your
USB stick or any external drives. This issue happens to me in the past due to removing my external drive improperly and it cost me lot of time and effort to get it back up and running so by ejecting it properly might prevent the issue from happening.

Since the issue follows your USB stick on another computer, then the problem is from the USB stick itself and not the computer.

There are some ways to recover your files but that involves a 3rd-party program which is mostly paid application, but still it is not a guarantee that it will be able to retrieve your files. If the files are not that important, i suggest to continue with formatting
your USB stick. If the issue stills occurs even after formatting, then most probably your USB stick is already faulty.

I hope these information helps.

 

Installing windows off of a USB stick

Step By Step from vista:
From admin cmd prompt

1. diskpart
1a. list disk
2. select disk 1 (replace 1 with your usb drive)
3. clean
4. create partition primary
5. select partition 1 (replace 1 with your usb drive)
6. active
7. format fs=fat32
8. assign
9. exit

Copy Windows Vista's DVD ROM content to the Flash Drive

xcopy d:\*.* /s/e/f e:\ (d being your vista cd and e being your usb stick)

And that's it, boot off your usb disk

 

USB memoty stick

Hi Bert, thanks for your question. I'm Graeme, a Microsoft Community expert and fellow user.

I'll explain the simplest way to remove files from your USB stick, then how to copy photos to it.

- Press Windows Key+E to open File Explorer.

- Click This PC in the left pane.

- Double-click your USB drive to view its contents.

- If you're happy to delete all files from the USB drive, press Control+A to select all files, then press Delete on your keyboard.

Now there should be no files on your USB stick, so you can begin copying photos to it.

- Press Windows Key+E to open File Explorer.

- Locate your photos.

- Right-click photos you'd like to copy to your USB stick, then select Send To, and choose your USB stick from the list.

Your photos will copy to the USB stick.

Hopefully this helps! Please let me know if you need further support. Thanks!