available space on flash drive question

[iCheese]

I am wondering if anyone can explain this to me:

If I put a file on my flash drive (to take up space), and then delete it from the flash drive, the space that was once taken up isn't accounted for in available free space.

Why is this? Shouldn't the used space become accounted for once again in total free space?

The only way I have been able to get my flash drive to recognize its total size is by reformatting it.

 

[themoonisdown09]

Make sure you empty the trash before you eject the flash drive, otherwise, the files will still be on the drive.

 

[iCheese]

Hey, that works, thanks!

What happens if I plug the flash drive into another computer? Will it show the actual total free space, or is it a must to empty the trash to truly free up space?

 

[themoonisdown09]

Hey, that works, thanks!

What happens if I plug the flash drive into another computer? Will it show the actual total free space, or is it a must to empty the trash to truly free up space?

You must empty the trash to truly free the space. The same goes for your hard drive.

 

[iCheese]

I knew you had to remove things from the trash to free up space on the hard drive, but I guess I was thinking that since a flash drive is removable that things would be deleted without emptying the trash...

thanks again