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Clearing Memory Stick

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andy-hughes | 10:41 Tue 07th Mar 2023 | Technology
15 Answers
I want to clear a tranche of MP3'S from a memory stick, but I can't find a 'delete' option - any ideas please?
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What are you using (device, operating system, etc) to do the deletion?
Question Author
Laptop - Windows 10.
What happens if you select one of the files and press the 'Delete' key?
Question Author
Nothing, I'm sorry to say.
Easiest is to format it.
Right click on the drive in Windows Explorer and choose Format. Full or quick.
Are you viewing the files in Windows File Explorer?
Question Author
Yes Etch.
Question Author
mjwman - Easiest is to format it.
Right click on the drive in Windows Explorer and choose Format. Full or quick. //

When I click the 'full' or 'quick' format buttons, it advises me that the device is write protected, but of course, it does not tell me how to remove that protection.
Two things come to mind.

At one time memory sticks had a slider switch on the side which could prevent any modifications to the content of the stick. It may be worth checking if yours has such a switch.

The other thought is that the file attributes might be set to prevent deletion. For that one do a search for "change file attributes in win10" and see what comes up.
Oh, hadn't seen your latest post. Directories also have attributes which can be changed. Same idea as the file attributes, and I think it's pretty much the same process, just right click on the directory name rather than the file name and select Properties.
Have you tried 'Eject'ing the memory stick, then unplugging it and re-inserting it?
1. Select View Folders

2. Windows Explorer opens to allow you to view the files.

3. Highlight the file you want to delete, then right click on it and, from the drop down menu, click Delete.

4. If you want to delete all of the files, highlight the first file, then hold down the Shift key and click on the Last file. All the files should now be highlighted.

5. Now you can right click on the highlighted area and, from the drop down menu, select Delete.
If all else fails, have a look at https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001617.htm which seems to be a fairly comprehensive guide. Please note that it is many years since I needed to do this kind of thing, so I make no promises about that link.
Question Author
goodgoalie - // 1. Select View Folders

2. Windows Explorer opens to allow you to view the files.

3. Highlight the file you want to delete, then right click on it and, from the drop down menu, click Delete.

4. If you want to delete all of the files, highlight the first file, then hold down the Shift key and click on the Last file. All the files should now be highlighted.

5. Now you can right click on the highlighted area and, from the drop down menu, select Delete. //

My usual procedure - except this time, it does nothing, either collectively or individually.
A USB flash drive trick used by IT professionals allows them to write-protect the entire disk.
https://youtu.be/7n73dp_oLcE?t=150
With a few clicks, the flash drive can be reformatted by Rufus, a free, simple-to-use disk formatting tool.
https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Rufus.shtml

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