* Ejecting USB Memory Sticks

[jsphillips]

Mike, I am shortly moving to WIN 10 at moment I am on Win 7
I note the always eject USB memory stick advice in unrecognised file format (13975)
At the moment I backup to USB as full backup and check that it has been saved on stick
Then just remove stick. I DO NOT EJECT
Is this a new feature one has to eject USB sticks ?

[Gowermick]

NO! You always had to eject USB memory sticks before physically unplugging them. When you write data to the stick, it is not always done immediately, the operating system has to manage many programs that are running at the same time, so schedule them according to their priority. If nothing else is going on at the time, writing to the USB have a high priority and get done quickly. BUT, something important may be going on in the background, to which the operating system gives a higher priority, so delays the writing to the USB.
Normally this won't affect you, as modern processors work so quickly, and the delay may be unnoticeable, BUT it does mean that if you unplug the USB at the wrong moment, you may corrupt the writing process and so corrupt the data on the USB. Murphy's law applies, if it can happen, it will at the most inapproriate moment. It is just not worth risking corrupting your USB data!

My advice is Always,always always eject the USB before unplugging it.

If you are not using the USB data elsewhere, just leave it in the PC until you need to unplug it.

[tatewise]

John, ejecting all external storage devices has always been advised for decades, but many users are unaware regarding USB memory sticks.

Regarding 'moving' from Win 7 to Win 10 are you upgrading an old PC, or migrating to a brand new PC?

If upgrading old PC see glossary:windows_10_upgrade_tips|> Windows 10 Upgrade Tips and complete before 29th July 2016.
You need comprehensive backups, just in case!

To migrate from old PC to new PC see how_to:family_historian_migration_guide|> Family Historian V5 & V6 Migration Guide.

[jsphillips]

Thanks for all your help
Not moving from Win 7 to Win 10 unless I am forced. Cost is not a prioity my sanity is !!

[tatewise]

So why did you say "Mike, I am shortly moving to WIN 10 at moment I am on Win 7"?
That is testing my sanity