3 ways to run a virus scan on a USB stick or thumb drive

If you suspect you may have a virus on your USB, or perhaps you’ve found a random USB and you’re curious as to what might be on it, it’s always best to scan for viruses before you do anything else. (If you think it’s a corrupted USB then check out our how-to guide here instead)

Is using paid for anti virus software any better than a free one or windows defender?

Paid antivirus software typically offers more advanced features and options, such as real-time scanning, anti-phishing protection, and firewall protection.

They also often come with customer support services and are regularly updated with the latest virus definitions to protect against new threats. Some paid antivirus software also offers additional features, such as parental controls and identity theft protection.

On the other hand, free antivirus software and Windows Defender also provide basic protection against viruses and malware.

They may not have as many advanced features as paid software, but they are still effective at detecting and removing threats. Windows Defender is built into Windows and is constantly updated with the latest virus definitions.

In terms of effectiveness, both paid and free antivirus software can be equally effective at protecting your computer from viruses and malware. However, paid antivirus software may offer more advanced features that can provide additional layers of protection and peace of mind.

Ultimately, the choice between paid or free antivirus software comes down to personal preference, budget, and the level of protection required. Regardless of which option you choose, it is important to keep your antivirus software up to date and run regular scans to ensure your computer and devices remain protected from potential threats.

Here are three ways you can scan your USB stick or thumb drive for viruses.

How to run a virus scan on a thumb drive using Windows 11

Running a virus scan on a thumb drive in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few simple steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to run a virus scan on a thumb drive using Windows 11:

Step 1: Insert the Thumb Drive into your computer’s USB port.

To start, insert the thumb drive that you want to scan for viruses into your computer’s USB port. Make sure that the drive is properly connected and recognized by your computer.

Step 2: Open Windows Security App.

Next, click on the Start menu and search for the “Windows Security” app. This app comes pre-installed on Windows 11 and is a comprehensive security solution that can protect your computer from various threats.

Step 3: Choose the “Virus & threat protection” option.

Once the Windows Security app is open, click on the “Virus & threat protection” option located on the left side of the screen. This option will open the antivirus settings for your computer.

Step 4: Select “Advanced scan”.

Under the “Current threats” section, click on the “Scan options” link. Then, choose the “Advanced scan” option.

Step 5: Choose the thumb drive for scanning.

In the “Advanced scan” section, select the “Full scan” option and then click on the “Scan now” button. From there, select the thumb drive that you want to scan and click on the “Scan now” button again.

Step 6: Wait for the scan to complete.

Windows Security will now start scanning your thumb drive for viruses. The duration of the scan will depend on the size of your thumb drive and the number of files stored on it. So, wait for the scan to complete.

Step 7: View the scan results.

Once the scan is complete, Windows Security will display the scan results. If any viruses or malware are found, you will be notified of the threat, and Windows Security will give you the option to remove or quarantine the infected files.

Ta da! All done. If it wasn’t a virus but it still seems broken, take a look at our other article outlining how to fix a broken USB drive.

How to run a virus scan on a USB drive using free software

Running a virus scan on a USB drive using free software is a quick and easy way to ensure that your drive is free of malware and viruses. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to run a virus scan on a USB drive using free software:

Step 1: Download and Install a free antivirus software There are several free antivirus software available, such as Avast, AVG, or Bitdefender. You can download and install any one of them from their official website.

Step 2: Open the Antivirus software Once the installation is complete, open the antivirus software.

Step 3: Plug in the USB drive that you want to scan for viruses.

Step 4: Select the USB drive Next, select the USB drive from the list of devices displayed in the antivirus software. This will ensure that the scan is only performed on the USB drive.

Step 5: Run a full scan In the antivirus software, select the option to run a full scan of the USB drive. This option will scan the entire drive, including all the files and folders stored on it.

Step 6: Wait for the scan to complete The duration of the scan will depend on the size of the USB drive and the number of files stored on it. So, wait for the scan to complete.

Step 7: View the scan results Once the scan is complete, the antivirus software will display the scan results. If any viruses or malware are found, you will be notified of the threat, and the software will give you the option to remove or quarantine the infected files.

How to run a virus scan on a Pen drive using popular, paid for software.

Step 1: Download and Install the Antivirus software There are several popular paid antivirus software available, such as Norton, McAfee, or Kaspersky. You can download and install any one of them from their official website.

Step 2: Open the Antivirus software Once the installation is complete, open the antivirus software.

Step 3: Plug in the USB drive that you want to scan for viruses.

Step 4: Select the USB drive Next, select the USB drive from the list of devices displayed in the antivirus software. This will ensure that the scan is only performed on the USB drive.

Step 5: Run a full scan In the antivirus software, select the option to run a full scan of the USB drive. This option will scan the entire drive, including all the files and folders stored on it.

Step 6: Wait for the scan to complete The duration of the scan will depend on the size of the USB drive and the number of files stored on it. So, wait for the scan to complete.

Step 7: View the scan results Once the scan is complete, the antivirus software will display the scan results. If any viruses or malware are found, you will be notified of the threat, and the software will give you the option to remove or quarantine the infected files.

Step 8: Customize scan options (Optional) If you want to customize the scan options, such as the types of files or folders to scan, or schedule regular scans, you can do so in the antivirus software settings.