Each device for storing information has its own level of rate of transmission and recording of data, which depends on the capabilities of the iron installed inside. But sometimes you can notice that the speed of the flash drive has noticeably decreased, and the transfer of files takes much longer.
This article will discuss the reasons why this problem occurs, as well as ways to solve it, the best programs for checking the speed of a flash drive are presented. Additionally, solutions to the problem of protecting the device from writing will be examined.
Why is this happening?
To begin with, it is worthwhile to figure out what is the reason that the data transfer speed from the flash drive or to it began to decrease. Among the main ones are:
- the presence of problems or errors related to the file system;
- the carrier was infected with a virus, which led to a decrease in the speed of writing to a USB flash drive;
- NAND is worn out;
- A mismatch was found between the USB input and output connectors;
- The BIOS of your computer is not configured correctly.
How to check media speed?
It should immediately be borne in mind that questions like: "How to increase the speed of a flash drive?" are inappropriate, since it is impossible to do so. But this is not about that, the article will present several programs that allow you to check the current media speed.
Using Check Flash
A fairly simple program that allows you to check the speed of a flash drive at 16 GB or any other size. However, it should be borne in mind that the program itself has an interface in English. To perform the necessary procedure, follow this algorithm:
- after the utility is installed, insert the USB flash drive into the USB connector;
- Find the Access type item and activate As logical drive in it;
- Find the column Drive and specify the drive with a flash drive;
- Now activate the Action type and run Write and read test;
- run Small pattern set and press the start button.
The program will check the speed of the USB stick and display the result.
Flash memory toolkit
This program has a very extensive functionality, which not only allows you to check the speed of a 16 GB flash drive (and other sizes), but can restore files that were lost. You can also back up documents. To complete the media speed verification procedure, follow the instructions:
- after starting the utility, select the disk in the top line of the window;
- to get information about the flash drive, activate the Info key;
- after that open the tab with the inscription File Benchmark;
- then press the start button of the procedure and wait for the process to finish.
After the check is completed, the program will display the flash drive speed on the screen.
How to fix a slowdown?
If you encounter a slower file transfer, try using one of the recovery methods listed below. Some of them will help to solve the reasons mentioned above.
Virus elimination
You can check the flash drive for viruses using conventional anti-virus programs. Suitable as a standard Windows Defender, and other utilities. Let's demonstrate a virus scan and increase the speed of a flash drive using Avast! Free antivirus:
- after starting the utility, go to the tab called "Protection";
- in the left part of the window, select the "Anti-Virus" section;
- After that, you will go to a new page. Here, open "Other Scan";
- From the new four tabs, select "Scan USB / DVD." After that, the process of scanning all flash drives and drives that are connected to the computer will begin. After viruses are detected, you can select the delete function or quarantine them.
Working with the file system format
Another reason why the speed of a flash drive can change. Correcting this problem is quite simple. You must perform standard media formatting. Therefore, before the procedure, back up all the files stored on it. Now to the process itself:
- Launch My Computer. All drives that are currently connected to the computer should be displayed here;
- find your flash drive among them and right-click on its shortcut.
- in the context menu that appears, find the line called "Format". Run this routine.
- After that, a window will appear in front of you with the parameters for performing this procedure.
- Next, you need to make a number of changes. Set the file system line to NTFS. The cluster size parameter remains untouched. But if you want to change it. Restoring default settings can be used to reset all current settings. The volume label can also be left in the current state. On the contrary, the line about fast formatting should be ticked. This will allow faster operation.
- After setting the necessary settings, click the "Start" button. Now it remains to wait for the end of the procedure.
Change settings
By default, USB drives work when the quick delete mode is on. This function can increase the level of file security. But at the same time, it affects the speed of the flash drive quite strongly. Let's figure out how to set the high performance mode:
- after connecting the drive, open the "This computer" program window;
- find the shortcut of the same program in the left list and launch the context menu by right-clicking;
- select the line called "Management";
- after that, you will see the window "Computer Management";
- here, go to the tab of the task manager, in the window open the subsection of disk devices and find your USB flash drive among them;
- click on it with the mouse and in the window that opens, go to the "Politics" section;
- check the box next to the optimal performance feature. Confirm your selection.
Attention! After enabling performance improvements, you need to make some changes to the media handling. Or rather, it is necessary to pull out the device, using the "Safe Removal". Otherwise, many files may be lost.
Now let's talk about how to unlock a write-protected flash drive.
Switch and integrity
If you have received a message when working with the media that writing data to a specific device is prohibited, you should pay attention to the case. On some models of flash drives sometimes there are special switches that are responsible for access to make changes.
Changes in the position of the toggle switch could occur as a result of carrying the drive in your pocket.
It is also worth checking the performance - try plugging the USB flash drive into another slot or even an additional computer.
Device formatting
Another way to remove write protection. Instructions for performing this procedure have already been described previously. In this situation, it is also necessary to change the type of file system by rearranging it to NTFS. Further actions are performed according to the algorithm.
It is worth noting that there are several more options on how to unlock a write-protected flash drive. However, they involve implementing changes to the registry and working with the command line. Making any amendments to these sections may lead to a deterioration of the system. Or complete termination of the device.
Therefore, these processes will not be described.
Some useful tips
To prevent a drop in the speed of transmission and reception of data on a USB flash drive, it is worth performing a number of simple actions. They are very commonplace and obvious. But sometimes they can play an important role in determining the cause of this malfunction. Here is a short list of recommendations:
- To work with a USB flash drive, it is better to use the USB connectors located on the motherboard. Due to the fact that the transfer of information will take place directly, the speed of file transfer will also increase.
- If the data flushed to the USB flash drive is not infected, and the process still goes slowly, turn off all anti-virus programs. Due to the control by data utilities of all processes in the system, the speed of reading and writing information will be much lower than what could be.
- Check your operating system for various malicious files and programs. Many of the viruses can be located in flash drive autoloaders. Therefore, they are activated exactly when the media is connected to the device.