Safely use USB drive for portable programs?

noskas16 · 09 Jul 2012

I use my 4gb USB2.0 flash drive not only in order to save valubale documents, but also for portable programs. Since I got summer job in which my work-computers is changed frequently, I started using portable programs from my usb flash drive. Sometimes my work-pc's do freeze and I am unable to remove USB drive safely, so I corrupt my portable applications very fast.
Maybe you know any tricks and tips on how to use flash drive as safely as you can in order to lose that risk of data corruption?
I use NTFS file system, would FAT32 or FAT format be any safer in my case?

SledgeDG · 09 Jul 2012

Data corruption usually only occurs, if the Flash drive is pulled out during any write operation.

In terms of Data safety NTFS is the far superior file system not sure tho if that also applies to small flash drives since it's geared for really big amounts of files.(Remember: protokolling File system means a surplus of write access compared to FAT so switching back would be one option to consider)

The safest way IMHO would be to copy the whole folder of the portable in question onto the target computer and run them from there. Once you're done with whatever you do simply delete that folder and you're good to go.
That's clean, easy and fast. Besides your portables loading faster, depending on your type of portables you prevent huge "Thininstall" folders being created on your flash drive.

-DG