How long do usbs last

[PC Bulder 101]

Put answer in comments 

[Rohime]

You mean USB Storage devices like thumb drives?

[ObilvionNizer]

12 minutes ago, PC Bulder 101 said:

Put answer in comments 

Could you explain more what you mean? USB devices in general or Specific devices?

[done12many2]

8 minutes ago, Rohime said:

You mean USB Storage devices like thumb drives?

 

4 minutes ago, deansmylie1993 said:

Could you explain more what you mean? USB devices in general or Specific devices?

 

He posted this in the Storage Devices section so best guess is flash drive or external USB drive.

 

With that said, @PC Bulder 101 cheap flash drives may fail fast.  I have flash drives that are many years old and still working, but I've also had cheap new ones simply fail.

 

External USB drives vary in durability as well.  Models that use HDDs (spinning disks) are more susceptible to failure than those that use SSD.  HDD are also more prone to damage from impacts.

[SageOfSpice]

Data: 1-10 years depending on drive

Read/Writes: 10,000-100,000 depending on drive

Physically: 0-???

[Rohime]

I have a simple rule.

 

Use them for transient storage.  Not for Permanent Storage.

If you don't care any more 5 minutes after you've used the data on a flash drive, then you will never be disappointed any more.

 

If you want longevity, then keep a copy in both Cloud Storage and on a device bought for its reliability locally.