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Tribune News Service
Tribune News Service
Entertainment
Don Lindich

Sound Advice: USB flash drives are long lasting, but you should still have a backup

Android Google Photos Corruption Google

Q. I have many important files and photographs backed up on a USB flash drive. I am worried about losing them due to data corruption with age. How long do these drives last?

—U.L., San Jose, California

A. A quality flash drive will last more than 10 years or 10,000 usage cycles if stored properly, in a dry place away from temperature extremes. While your data is likely safe for now, it sounds like you have all your eggs in one basket. I encourage you to back up your data in several places just in case something happens to that flash drive.

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