Can't view files on flash drive

Hi! So I just bought my first M1 Macbook Air today :) And I was having some trouble reading my flash drive that had a lot of files from my old Windows 10 laptop. 


It says that the file size is "---" even though I know it should be like.... 100+ GB LOL. I'm not sure why I can't open it on my Macbook. I've attached some other information, just in case that has relevance to this issue. I'm a bit new to macOS so I'm sorry if this is a basic question!


[Link Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Mar 19, 2021 9:12 AM

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3 replies

Mar 19, 2021 9:23 AM in response to kookiechan

Hello!


It sounds like you either have a dead Flash Drive, or the format is incompatible.


Do the following:


  1. Open Disk Utility
  2. Plugin your flash drive if it hasn't been already
  3. Locate the flash drive in the sidebar of Disk Utility
  4. Select the flash drive
  5. Located under the name in the information section you'll see the format


Depending on how this goes for you. You'll see one of a few things.


  • MS-Dos
  • No Flash Drive


If you see MS-Dos: you'll want to pull the files off on a Windows device. Then format the flash drive to be: ExFat and then move files back onto your flash drive.


If you don't see a flash drive, try to pull it up on another device(mac, pc, etc). If still unable to see on another device. Your flash drive is dead. :(


Thanks!



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Can't view files on flash drive

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