Windows 11 normally displays a USB flash drive in File Explorer shortly after you connect it. Treat an unfamiliar drive as untrusted removable media because opening unknown files can expose the PC to malware.
Steps
- Insert the flash drive into an appropriate USB port.
- Press Windows+E to open File Explorer.
- Select This PC.
- Identify the removable drive by its label and capacity.
- Open the drive and access only files you recognize or trust.
- Close files stored on the drive when finished and use Eject before unplugging it when Windows offers that option.
If the drive does not appear
Try another USB port and open Disk Management. A device can be detected while lacking a drive letter or using a filesystem Windows cannot read normally.
Do not format a drive that contains needed data
Windows may offer to format storage it cannot understand. Formatting, initializing, deleting volumes, or repartitioning can destroy information, so stop if the drive contains files you need to recover.
Be cautious with unknown media
Do not run unexpected executables, scripts, shortcuts, or installers from a drive of uncertain origin. Use current security software and verify the source before opening unfamiliar content.
Eject before disconnecting
Removing a flash drive while files are still being written can corrupt data. Wait for file transfers to finish and use Windows’ eject mechanism when available, especially after editing files directly on the drive.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.