how long do usb flash drives hold data sitting on a shelf, the internet google search AI , says 10 to 100 years ??
Not using an AI or Google, I stumbled upon a number of articles suggesting 10 years, but it could be reduced by:
- poor quality memory cells
- poor quality overall drive construction
- number of write cycles
- extreme temperatures
- high humidity
- dust or other contaminants
There is a standard that requires 10 hours of 125°C operation, which is assumed to be equivalent to 10 years at 55°C, so that’s where that number comes from.
If you’re looking for long term storage you want archival grade tapes or optical media.
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Any one, part, or all of the above. I have had USB flash drives just die for no apparent reason. I always have tried to use the wait until write is complete before removing routine. One never knows how many write cycles is too many. Has anyone ever seen that in the specs?
The capacity of USB drives continually increases. What was the nominal capacity 10 years ago. Maybe they were made better back then, or maybe they are made better now.
Internet search turns this up,
The life expectancy of a USB Flash Drive can be measured by the number of write or erase cycles. USB flash drives can withstand between 10,000 to 100,000 write/erase cycles , depending on the memory technology used.
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