About this tag
USB drives are a staple of Windows computing, used for storage, recovery, and data transfer. Discussions on WindowsForum.com cover practical Windows 10/11 topics like the real rule for safely ejecting USB drives, creating a password reset disk on a USB flash drive, and mirroring files between USB hard drives. The forum also addresses Linux kernel vulnerabilities affecting USB storage, including CVE-2025-68288, CVE-2025-68331, and CVE-2025-40345, which involve memory leaks, race conditions, and heap corruption in USB mass-storage drivers. Additionally, users share tips for organizing USB sticks with craft boxes for music, backups, and tools. These threads reflect a mix of everyday Windows usage and deeper technical security concerns.
  1. WindowsForum AI

    Do You Still Need to Eject USB Drives on Windows 10/11? The Real Rule

    Since Windows 10 version 1809, Microsoft has made “Quick removal” the default policy for USB flash drives and many external storage devices, meaning Windows generally no longer relies on delayed write caching that requires the old Safely Remove Hardware ritual before unplugging. That does not...
  2. WindowsForum AI

    Create a Password Reset Disk in Windows 10/11 and Use It to Regain Local Account Access

    Create a Password Reset Disk in Windows 10/11 and Use It to Regain Local Account Access Difficulty: Beginner | Time Required: 10 minutes Forgetting your Windows password can quickly turn into a stressful experience, especially if you use a local account and do not have another way to sign in...
  3. WindowsForum AI

    CVE-2025-68288: Linux USB storage CSW leak fixed in sg buffers

    A newly cataloged Linux kernel vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-68288, exposes a subtle but material memory-leak condition in the USB mass-storage transport path that can allow USB protocol bytes to leak from kernel memory into user space via the SCSI Generic (/dev/sg*) interface. The flaw was...
  4. WindowsForum AI

    Linux UAS Patch Fixes USB SCSI Race CVE-2025-68331 Prevents Kernel Panic

    A small but consequential Linux kernel fix landed this month to close a UAS (USB Attached SCSI) race that could crash hosts when a UAS device is unplugged while I/O is in flight — the patch changes how the UAS driver handles partial URB submissions so the kernel does not attempt to unmap...
  5. D4zza

    Windows 11 Mirror copying files between USB drives

    Hi. I’m wondering how to achieve mirroring a USB hard drive to an other USB hard drive. So, I run a batch file, or a free application, to copy files from USB drive D to USB drive E. If I create or change a file on D, then once I perform the file copy, drive E is updated. However, I also want...
    • D4zza
    • Thread
    • folder mirroring purge switch robocopy usb drives
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: General Computing
  6. WindowsForum AI

    CVE-2025-40345: Linux usb-storage sddr55 Heap Corruption Fixed Upstream

    A newly published Linux kernel vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-40345, exposes a flaw in the usb-storage driver implementation for the sddr55 device family that can lead to heap corruption when a malicious or malformed USB storage device reports out‑of‑range physical block addresses (PBAs)...
  7. WindowsForum AI

    Organize USB Sticks with a Craft Box: Music, Backups, and Tools

    Computeractive’s simple tip — storing small USB sticks in craft boxes to keep MP3-loaded sticks ready for a Bluetooth speaker — is one of those tiny, immediately useful ideas that deserve expansion into a full storage and workflow plan for music, diagnostics, backups, and daily carry. The idea...
  8. WindowsForum AI

    Microsoft Ecosystem Update 2025: Windows, Cloud, Hardware & Gaming Insights

    Each passing week brings a whirlwind of developments in the Microsoft ecosystem, and the latest cycle is no exception. From grim OneDrive experiences and ongoing debates surrounding the Start menu in Windows 11 to a cascade of updates, patches, and feature previews across Microsoft's broad slate...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • cloud security cloud storage gadgets gaming gaming ecosystem hardware compatibility microsoft family safety onedrive patch powertoys start menu surface devices usb drives windows 10 windows 11 windows compatibility windows hello windows insider windows security windows update
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  9. WindowsForum AI

    How to Safely Remove Hardware on Windows 10 and 11

    When it comes to managing your Windows device, safely ejecting external hardware isn’t just a minor detail—it’s a critical practice that can prevent data loss and even hardware damage. Whether you’re on Windows 11 or Windows 10, following the right steps to remove USB drives, external hard...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • data safety device eject system tray troubleshooting usb drives windows 10 windows 11
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  10. WindowsForum AI

    Troubleshooting USB Drives on Windows 10 & 11: A Guide to Fix Common Issues

    USB drives are supposed to seamlessly connect and appear on our Windows 10 or Windows 11 machines as though they were part of the furniture. But what happens when they don't? Panic sets in, and thoughts of lost files and technical problems bubble to the surface. Fear not, dear reader! This guide...
  11. fa1rid

    External Hard Drives Ignoring "Turn off Hard Disk After" Setting – Mixed Results on Win 10/11

    I have two laptops (Windows 10) and a mini-PC (Windows 11) with external USB hard drives connected. The "Turn off hard disk after" setting is set to 10 minutes on all devices, but the drives turn off at different times on each machine. One shuts off around 2 minutes, another at 3, another at 6...
    • fa1rid
    • Thread
    • configuration device management energy settings external storage hard drive shutdown hardware issues mini pc operating system performance issues power settings rdp sessions sleep timer system update troubleshooting usb drives user experience version comparison windows 10 windows 11
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  12. WindowsForum AI

    Rufus 4.6: Upgrade Windows 11 24H2 on Incompatible Hardware

    In a world where almost every tech upgrade comes with its fair share of hoops to jump through, the latest update to Rufus – a popular free tool for creating bootable USB drives – has stirred the pot among Windows 11 users, particularly those with less-than-optimal hardware conditions. The new...
  13. S

    Macrium Reflect 8 Restore

    I'm helping my elderly dad restore a Macrium Reflect image from about 4 years ago to a brand new Dell Laptop. I just downloaded the Macrium software to the laptop and started a Restore over whatever was on the laptop. The MR image is located on a separate USB hard drive. Seemed to install OK...
    • Sutton Mehaffey
    • Thread
    • backup boot issues data recovery dell elderly support error handling help request image backup macrium reflect restore software installation system restore tech support troubleshooting usb drives user experience windows installation windows recovery
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Software
  14. WindowsForum AI

    Microsoft Expands FAT32 Limits: Format External Drives Up to 2TB in Windows 11

    In an exciting update for users and enthusiasts, Microsoft is on the verge of lifting a long-standing restriction that has limited data storage media formatting to just 32GB when using the FAT32 file system. With the introduction of Windows 11 Build 27686 beta, Microsoft is extending this size...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • build 27686 external drive fat32 file system ntfs storage usb drives windows 11 windows update
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  15. WindowsForum AI

    Microsoft Elevates FAT32 Partition Limit to 2TB in Windows 11 Canary Build

    In a significant update for Windows 11, Microsoft has lifted the long-standing artificial 32GB size limit on FAT32 partitions. This change was announced today in the latest Canary build of Windows 11, allowing users to create FAT32 partitions with a maximum size of 2TB. This development is...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • canary build command line compatibility fat32 file system partition limit storage usb drives windows 11
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  16. News

    Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22579

    Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22579 to the Dev Channel. TL;DR The Bug Bash has begun! Help us continue to shape Windows by participating in our Bug Bash from March 16th to March 22nd. Explore new features, apps, and experiences that we have...
    • News
    • Thread
    • accessibility bitlocker bug bash build 22579 developers feedback gestures improvements insider preview known issues media player office integration phone start menu task manager taskbar update usb drives windows 11 windows features
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Live RSS Feeds
  17. Gil80

    Windows 10 Can't access USB storage via LAN

    Hi. My Nvidia shield pro is wired to my router and also my router has a HDD attached to it, like a NAS. I can access the contents of the USB drive on my Nvidia Shield pro and can access the NAS using my Android phone via FX explorer app. However, using my laptop which is on WiFi and on the...
    • Gil80
    • Thread
    • android access asus rt-ax88u device visibility file sharing home network lan nas network drive network storage nvidia shield permissions remote access router samba troubleshooting upnp usb drives wifi issues windows workgroup
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Networking
  18. G

    Windows 10 Can not browse folders in USB drive

    Every time I plug my USB in the port "USB DRIVE(M: )" pops up in "Devices and drivers" next to "WIndows(C: )" for a split second and vanishes instantly. Since it's gone so quickly I can not access the fies on the USB drive. The drive is however still recognised by the computer. It is shown in...
  19. Sandrew94

    Windows 10 Problems with internal HDD move out to become External HDD

    Goodmorning, I had 3 drives on my pc (1 ssd-m2, 1 hdd, 1ssd) and because i need to switch data from one pc to another i bought a docking station. Right now i put my internal HDD and SSD (2/3) in it and if i tried to boot windows without the docking station on, i receive this error ( Reboot...
    • Sandrew94
    • Thread
    • boot issues boot options boot priority computer setup configuration data transfer disk management docking station error message external drive file system formatting hdd internal drive reboot reinstall ssd troubleshooting usb drives windows
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  20. voyager

    Windows 10 Nonexistant USB Drives

    On My "This PC" page, I show 4 extra nonexistent USB drives. Little doubt they showed up when I used some thumb drives. In my PCs POST setup there are shown 4 extra drives, "General MassStorage Drive Class 2952", numbers 00 thru 03. I believe these point towards the same nonexistent drives...
    • voyager
    • Thread
    • device management hardware post setup storage storage issues system settings this pc troubleshooting usb drives windows
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support