I had a scare a month ago when Microsoft Defender found malware on my USB flash drive. I quickly removed it, formatted the drive using Microsoft Explorer (with the full format option), and rescanned it to ensure it was clean. I also ran full and offline scans on my computer, which came back fine. Fast forward to now, when I tried to use the USB again, it detected a virus, even though the drive was empty. I did transfer a file from another PC, but I can't find that file now, and the USB ejected itself at some point! I'm worried about whether the USB is salvageable or if I need to replace it. Importantly, is my PC at risk just because I moved files to the USB without running anything? What might be causing this issue?
3 Answers
It sounds like your USB drive might be on its last legs. While it could just be a false positive with the virus detection, USB drives are pretty inexpensive these days. I'd recommend snagging a new one rather than risking more issues. Lost files are one thing, but keeping your PC safe is more important.
There’s a chance it could either be a false positive or a case of your system reintroducing malware somehow. Sometimes even a quick format isn't enough to get rid of a persistent virus. If you're still worried about infections, you could try using a live Linux boot to scan everything or ask someone who can help you do a clean Windows install. But whatever you do, ensure to keep your important files backed up elsewhere!
A full format can help, but if you're continually facing virus alerts, it's probably best to just get a new USB drive. I understand you're mainly concerned about your PC being infected; as long as you don’t execute anything from that USB, you should be fine. Just transferring files shouldn't pose a risk.
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