Windows 10: USB thumb drives

Sorry not really a w10 issue but how much actual data should I expect to get from a 32g drive? I just bought one and it is only 28.6 should I return it?

I contacted Sandisk and this is what they said;

Thank you for contacting SanDisk® Global Customer Support. I understand your concern. Please allow me to inform you that the capacity you get from your drive depends on the OS. All SanDisk® products include the total capacity, at an unformatted level, that is stated on the product packaging. For example, a 128GB SanDisk USB flash drive has a total capacity of 128,000,000,000 bytes at the unformatted level (where 1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes).

A portion of the total capacity is used to store certain functions including optimizations of the memory that support performance and endurance and therefore is not available for user storage. This is disclosed on our packaging and marketing materials when you see the statement “Actual user storage less.”

the difference in the definition of one Gigabyte by operating systems versus product manufacturers. Operating systems use a binary system which will present a lower number of GB than the decimal based system used by manufacturers to define the capacity of products. This is due to the binary system representing a GB as a higher number of actual bytes.

For example: Operating systems define a 1GB as 1,073,741,824 Bytes. We define 1GB as 1,000,000,000 bytes.

To understand this difference in definition better, you may refer to the following articles from our online Knowledge base:

Capacity of the device (as reported by many operating systems)

Please respond to this email if you need any further assistance. Thank you for choosing SanDisk® products.

Best regards,
Larry S.
SanDisk® Global Customer Support

:)

 

Transfer a file to a thumb drive

Hi Michael,

Connect the USB Thumb drive

Right click the file you want to transfer and click 'Send to' - flash drive (that drive should be bottom of he 'Send to' list . . .

 

usb thumb drive

Press Windows key + X Click Task Manager Click the Processes tab Scroll through the list then select Windows Explorer Click Restart See if you can eject it. If that does not work, it could be an issue with your USB controllers. To disable and re-enable
the USB controllers, follow these steps: a) Press Windows key + X, click Device Manager. b) Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. c) Note: You might have to scroll down the list to find this item. d) Right-click the first USB controller under Universal
Serial Bus controllers, and then click Uninstall to remove it. f) Repeat the above step for each USB controller that is listed under Universal Serial Bus controllers. g) Restart the computer. After the computer starts, Windows will automatically scan for hardware
changes and h) Reinstall all the USB controllers that you uninstalled.

 

Thumb drives

Step 1: connect the USB thumb drive to an available USB port.

Step 2: Click Start > File Explorer > This PC

Step 3: open the thumb drive.

If its not showing up in File Explorer:

Check if the drive is assigned a drive letter.

Press Windows key + X

Click Disk Management

If you see your drive listed there, but no drive letter, right click it

Click Change Drive Letter and Paths

Click Add

Click Assign the following drive letter

Click in the Drive letter list box

Choose a drive letter - try choosing letters near the end of the alphabet

Click OK

Click OK again

If that does not work...

Press Windows key + X

Click Device Manager

Expand Disk drives

Right click the external drive

Click uninstall

Exit Device Manager, restart then check if its detected.

Other troubleshooting options you can try:

This issue can be caused if any of the following situations exist:

The currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupt

Your PC requires an update for issues that may conflict with a USB external hard drive and Windows

Windows may be missing other important updates hardware or software issues

Your USB controllers may have become unstable or corrupt

Your external drive may be entering selective suspend

Your PC motherboard may need updated drivers

Resolution

To resolve this issue, follow the steps in the methods below in the order listed. If the first method does not fix the problem, proceed to the next.

Method 1: Uninstall and then reconnect the external hard drive

This method resolves issues where the currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupt.

Select Start, type Device Manager in the Search box

Select Device Manager from the returned list.

Select Disk Drives from the list of hardware

Press and hold (or right-click) the USB external hard drive with the issue, and select Uninstall.

After the hard drive is uninstalled, unplug the USB cable.

Wait for 1 minute and then reconnect the USB cable. The driver should automatically load

Check for the USB drive in Windows Explorer

Note Connecting your USB external hard drive into a non-powered USB hub can cause a lack of enough power to operate the external drive. Instead, plug it directly into your computer.

If your problem still persists, proceed to Method 3.

Method 2: Install the latest Windows Updates

This method will install the latest device drivers for your USB external hard drive.

Select the Start button, type Windows Update in the Search box, and then select Windows Update in the results pane.

Select Check for Updates. After the scan is complete, select Review optional updates.

Select the check box next to the updates, then select Install updates.

If prompted, review the license agreement, then select I Accept.

Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the updates.

If prompted, reboot your computer.

If your problem still exits, proceed to Method 4.

Method 3: Reinstall USB controllers.

This method resolves steps where the currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupted.

Select Start, then type device manager in the Search box, and then select Device Manager.

Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Press and hold (or right-click) a device and select Uninstall. Repeat for each device.

Once complete, restart your computer. Your USB controllers will automatically install.

If your problem still exists, proceed to Method 5.

Method 4: Disable USB selective suspend setting.

This method prevents your USB external drive from powering down.

Select the Start button, type power plan in the Search box, and then select Choose a power plan.

Next to your currently selected plan, select Change Plan Settings.

Select Change advanced power settings.

Select the box to expand USB Settings > USB selective suspend settings.

Select Plugged in, select the drop down menu, and then select disabled.

If you're using a laptop, select Battery, select the drop down menu, and then select disabled.

Select Apply > OK.

Method 5: Install your motherboard's latest chipset drivers.

This method updates your motherboard's chipset drivers, so your computer will recognize your USB external hard drive.

Review your computer's documentation which should contain the name of the motherboard manufacturer.

Visit your computer manufacturer's support website. For a list of computer manufacturers' support sites, see Computer manufacturers' contact information.

Navigate their website to find the appropriate drivers for your motherboard. For assistance, contact your computer manufacturer.