System Volume Information Folder on a USB Drive: What It Is and How to Remove It

If you've noticed a folder named System Volume Information on your USB drive after connecting it to a Windows computer, you might be wondering what it is and why it’s there. This folder can be puzzling, especially when it can't be deleted using regular methods. In this guide, we'll explain what this folder is, why it appears, and how you can remove it if needed.

What Is the System Volume Information Folder?

The System Volume Information folder is automatically created by Windows on all types of storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, and USB drives. It stores various system data, such as:

  • System Restore Points: Files that help roll back the system to a previous state.
  • Indexing Data: Information used to speed up file searches on the drive.
  • Volume Shadow Copy Data: Backup copies of files used for restoration purposes.

Typically, this folder is hidden because it’s a protected system folder. It may appear on USB drives when connected to any Windows system.

Why Does the System Volume Information Folder Appear on a USB Drive?

There are several reasons why this folder shows up on your USB drive:

  1. The USB drive was connected to a computer where System Restore is enabled.
  2. File Indexing is turned on for removable drives, allowing faster search capabilities.
  3. The drive is being used for storing temporary files or backups by the system.

If you use your USB drive on multiple computers, this folder can appear even on a newly formatted drive.

Can You Delete the System Volume Information Folder?

In most cases, it’s not possible to delete the System Volume Information folder because it is protected by Windows system permissions. However, if you really need to remove it, there are a few methods you can try.

How to Delete the System Volume Information Folder from a USB Drive

Here are some methods you can use to remove this folder:

Method 1: Disable System Restore

  1. Press Win + R and type sysdm.cpl to open System Properties.
  2. Go to the "System Protection" tab.
  3. Select your USB drive and click "Configure".
  4. Disable System Restore for this drive.

Once System Restore is disabled, the folder will no longer be created, but you may still need to delete it manually.

Method 2: Change Folder Permissions

To delete the folder, you need to take ownership and change its permissions:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Enter the command: takeown /f "X:\System Volume Information", where X: is the letter of your USB drive.
  3. Next, enter: icacls "X:\System Volume Information" /grant Administrators:F.
  4. Now you can delete the folder using the command rd /s /q "X:\System Volume Information".

Warning: Changing folder permissions can affect system functions, so proceed with caution.

Method 3: Use Disk Cleanup Tools

You can also use third-party tools like CCleaner or Unlocker to delete protected system files and folders. However, make sure to back up your data before using these tools, as they can permanently remove files.

Should You Ignore the System Volume Information Folder?

If the folder doesn’t take up significant space and doesn’t interfere with your work, you can simply ignore it. It does not contain any personal files and is only used by the system. However, if it starts taking up a lot of space, it might be worth checking your System Restore and indexing settings.