If you use flash drives often for your daily tasks, you’ve probably forgotten that it was plugged into your computer and left it there more than once. Maybe you’ve even considered leaving it intentionally if you need to constantly back up your work. However, is leaving the flash drive plugged in a good idea?
You can leave your flash drive plugged in, but it can do minor damage, reducing your device’s lifespan. Generally, it’s not too risky. If you leave it for very long periods or have a low-quality device, the damage can be more significant. If you don’t use it too often, there’s no need to worry.
In the rest of this article, I will show you what leaving the flash drive plugged in can do. I will also give you tips on how to increase the longevity of your flash drive to avoid important data getting lost.
What Happens if You Leave a Flash Drive Plugged in All the Time?
Flash drives are handy devices that help you store and move information quickly and easily. Their main advantage is that they are compact, reasonably cheap, and make it easy for you to transfer data to another device. While using them, you can easily leave them plugged into your computer and forget about them.
The main concern about leaving flash drives plugged in all the time is that they can wear out more quickly. They are technically a type of solid-state memory, meaning they have no moving parts, but unlike SSDs, flash drives are pretty delicate.
Flash drives can wear out whenever something is written to them. If the computer is turned on, it’s possible that information will be transferred without you even knowing. Different programs, your operating system, antivirus software, and more can write to the plugged-in device.
When the computer is turned off, none of the above scenarios can happen since there are no active programs that can write to the flash drive. A flash drive plugged into a turned-off computer is basically unplugged.
Should I Leave the Flash Drive Plugged In?
If you leave your flash drive plugged in all the time, your computer programs and systems may write to it constantly. As a result, the drive will become worn out the more it stays plugged in, and eventually, it might stop working. Moreover, leaving the drive plugged in increases the chances of it getting corrupted or infected, as it stays connected to the computer and the internet.
So, does this mean that flash drives are under the threat of malware or damage whenever they are connected to your computer? Fortunately, the situation is not nearly as dire as you might think. Generally speaking, most people will not be able to see much of a difference even if they leave their flash drive plugged in for a long time.
However, how you use your device makes a difference. Many people generally only need flash drives to move information a few times and not for repeated use. Leaving the device connected wouldn’t make much of a difference in these cases. However, if you’re using a flash drive to constantly back up data in your computer, even minor damage can affect your work.
Factors That Affect Whether the Flash Drive Will Be Damaged
To be able to tell how risky it is, you need to assess a few different aspects. First, the type of flash drive you’re using makes a difference. A high-end flash drive is not as easy to wear out as a free USB you may get from a local company. The highest quality ones even use wear-leveling to prolong their lifespan.
Moreover, your computer’s operating system and the software that you use can determine whether your USB will be damaged to a significant degree or not. Some types of software can write on flash drives connected to the computer, while others can’t.
The extent of the damage also depends on the configuration of your flash drive. Some USBs are configured to turn off some of the buffering that happens while the drive is connected to the computer. This way, your device can last much longer.
Finally, the time the flash drive spends connected to your computer also makes a difference. It’s no big deal if you leave it overnight or for a couple of days. However, if your device has been connected to a turned-on computer for weeks, it may undergo much more damage.
How To Extend Your Flash Drive’s Lifespan
If you use your flash drive on a daily basis and you need it to back up information regularly, you want your device to last. As I explained in the beginning, flash drives don’t have a stellar reputation for longevity, but you can still get good performance out of them for many years.
Don’t Leave the Device Plugged In
The first piece of advice, as you can guess by now, is not to leave your device plugged in. If you need it to constantly back up your work, it is understandable that it needs to stay plugged in as long as you’re working. However, make sure to disconnect it as soon as you’re done.
Safely Remove Hardware
Before you disconnect your flash drive, make sure to safely remove it from your computer if you’re using Windows. Safely remove is a function that ensures that every software writing to your device is finished before you disconnect. If you don’t choose this option, you risk losing data, even though it might seem like it’s all on the flash drive.
Get a High-Quality Flash Drive
To ensure that your flash drive works well consistently, it might be worth investing in a good-quality drive. The money is worth it, especially if you’re constantly saving work on your device and don’t want to lose it. Make sure to keep them in good physical condition and protect them from liquid damage.
Conclusion
Everyone uses flash drives once in a while as a simple and effective way of storing and moving data. If you use it continuously, you may think of leaving it connected to your computer for quick access. However, this may damage your device in the long run, especially if it’s low quality.
Most people won’t notice a difference if they only use a flash drive occasionally. If you need to use your flash drive to back up your work, disconnect it when you’re not using it, make sure to safely remove it, and try to get a high-quality USB.
