A Flash Drive's Lifespan
Whether you're transferring documents or storing treasured family memories, we've all used a flash drive in our lives. And, likely, that flash drive has ended up in a drawer somewhere. The question? Are the files stored on it okay?
Well, there's no one answer to that question. If you simply added files to the flash drive & forgot about them, then likely, they are okay - even if you don't open that flash drive for 10 years. However, if you were to use a flash drive consistently for, say, 3 years, it's more likely to crash. This is due to the fact that the lifespan of a flash drive is based on wear & tear. And besides - what good are 10-year-old files if the file types themselves become obsolete?
It's like a pair of sneakers: if you wear them to the gym every day, you'll need a new pair sooner rather than later. Leave them in the closet, though, and they'll look brand new.
But even a flash drive left untouched has an expiration date.
So, what can you do to prolong it?
- Keep the cap on to prevent dust from entering the flash drive.
- Don't expose your flash drive to extreme temperatures.
- Always properly eject your flash drive - never just pull it out!
The main concerns with flash drives are physical damage or simply losing them since they're so small! This is why we always say: make sure your files are backed up somewhere you can trust.