I can delete those folders, but the Registry and Policy methods suggested by a Google search for PREVENTING their formation do not work, so is there another effective way ? I want to emphasize that I want the prevention working for USB sticks - NOT USB Hard Drives.
The registry hacks used to work in the version of Windows 10 as first released, but soon stopped working with subsequent versions. I've long since given up trying to find a way to stop the System Volume Information folder appearing on USBs.
USB sticks are probably indistinguishable from USB connected HDDs, they are all just "External storage".
I don't mind if those folders do not appear on hard drives either - if that is what it takes to keep them off USB sticks.
No, the system does distinguish between them. Disk Management shows an external HDD as a Basic disk, just like an internal HDD, but a USB memory stick is shown as Removable. In File Manager you can right-click on a USB stick to eject it, but not on a USB HDD. you can only eject from the taskbar icon.
Interesting, but immaterial to my ambition.
If it is for one computer, apply deny permissions to SYSTEM, since that one should be responsible for it. If it is for more computers, create a deny permissions to Everyone to USB root, it works as malware prevention too.
I will need a lot more detailed information before your advice can be of use to me.
Hah. I was reading through this just now, and smiled when I read Bree's first post... because that's Exactly how I am right now!
I used to be so strict about the creation of those folders on my USB Sticks, but as of today, I can so care less about those folders being on there now! Hahaha. I just found that really funny at how I just noticed that about myself as well! I remember the days when I was so strict about when I want a USB Stick to be "completely" empty, but now, I have USB Sticks laying around randomly with random files sitting in there that I haven't accessed in a while.
(They're kinda turning into "CD status" over here at the house, haha.
Poor CDs... they're all sitting in the car garage in a closet, eagerly awaiting for me to visit them.)
=D
The answer came from a Microsoft site where it said - Disable the Storage Service - then freshly formatted USB sticks will no longer have that folder. It was the second part of that info that made all the difference.
I can not find anywhere on this page to notify the SOLVED status of this thread.
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