If you’re planning to sell, donate, or recycle a thumb drive, a simple "delete" isn't enough. Deleting files only removes the index entries; the actual data remains on the physical storage until it’s overwritten by new information.
If you prefer a more user-friendly approach, you can use third-party software like: how to wipe a usb drive windows 11
If you want a more thorough wipe of your USB drive, you can use a third-party tool like CCleaner or Eraser. These tools can completely erase the data on your USB drive, making it unrecoverable. If you’re planning to sell, donate, or recycle