Resolved Is a near full USB flash/thumb drive more likely to fail?

I use a Sandisk 32 gb usb thumb/flash drive at work. I recall recently (today or last week) that I saw a red x or warning sign when I was drilling down to view its files. I just deleted a few files today that I don't need, and out of 29.3 gb, it has 2.51 gb free. If I need to free up more space, I'd probably just get a 64 gb at walmart for 15 bucks. That's not the end of the world, but I'd rather not spend the cash if I don't need to.

I'm just wondering---is my almost full thumb drive more likely to fail? Or is it just going to work more slowly, the more files I add?

FWIW, I have not noticed any other problems with the drive. I guess I was just spooked by that red icon that I saw.

 

I don't think that if it had one file or was almost full would make a difference on it failing. If you are worried about it, get another one a (COPY) what you have on it to the new one. Don't (MOVE) the contents.

 

I agree with MrBill - the amount of data or number of files on a drive (any drive - flash, HD or SSD) has no bearing on the failure rate of the drive itself. But data corruption can occur whether there is 1 file or 100 files. So as MrBill suggests, have backups, just in case.

Data corrupt and drive failure are not the same thing.

 

OK, then I won't worry about replacing it until it starts slowing down. Its only a year or two old.

I do have backups on my laptop that I keep at home, so that's not going to be a problem for me.

Thanks to you both.