Do I Have to Format My USB to Remove a Virus?

Yes, formatting is a solid option, especially if you're unsure about how deep the virus has embedded itself. Windows Defender might not catch everything. The best bet could be to format and then be cautious with how you use USBs in the future.

Just remember, USB sticks themselves don't get viruses, but the files can harbor malware. It's essential to keep your data safe and consider using antivirus protection before accessing it on a different computer.

Wiping the USB is often necessary because some viruses can infect files directly, leading to possible reinfection. After formatting, make sure to practice safer methods for using USB drives in public places to avoid this in the future.

One effective way to deal with this is to boot from a live Linux USB, like Ubuntu. You can use it to copy the files you need to another location before formatting the drive. This way, you can keep your important data while safely cleaning the USB.

If you're comfortable, try using a virtual machine with an older operating system to access your files. This can sometimes provide a safer way to retrieve your data.