free space on external usb drive

Topic

New Reply

after deleting files on external usb drive, there is no increase in free space.

how can I safely increase free space on that drive?

Reply | Quote

Replies

If you have a Recycle Bin on the USB the files will be moved to it so no space is freed.
How many file (sizes) did you delete?

cheers, Paul

Reply | Quote

If there is a recycle bin on the root of the external usb drive itself, turning on “show hidden files and folders” should allow you to then try deleting them permanently from the recycle bin. I haven’t done this myself, but have heard this is a possible solution to get rid of the files and folders to free up space on the external usb drive.

MacOS iPadOS and sometimes SOS

Reply | Quote

I only saw Recycle Bin when using WizTree app but it mis-read the WD MyPassport 1TB USB drive as 246 GB, so I’m not sure what to suggest. Does anyone know if further Deletes via  TreeSize or WizTree apps may work as I doubt she’ll see R Bin in Explorer. Always wondered where Deletes go in ext drives like mine.

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

Reply | Quote

Right-click on the Recycle Bin on the desktop, when you have the other drive attached. Choose Properties. Highlight the drive in question. You can specify the amount of space (Custom size) for trash storage or click the radio button for “Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted.” You can do this for any drive, but you must set it individually on each computer you plug the drive into.
You can also set it to warn you before deletion (so you don’t make a mistake).

2 users thanked author for this post.

Myst, CraigS26

Reply | Quote

For claire, I Did find 2 USB drives of mine showing 2+ GB in Recycle Bin ONLY when looking at them WITH a Free app I mentioned, WizTree (or TreeSize). I Rt Clk’d Delete for the sub-folder showing the 2 GB but stupidly forgot to note the Before Allocated space so I could compare the After Delete #.
Not sure IF PKC’s great suggestion affects anything after doing it, so you could experiment with Recycle Bin using one of those apps.
Thanks again PKC….

W10 Pro 22H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / Macrium Pd vX / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU = 0

Reply | Quote