This 1.44MB USB floppy disk plugged into my 5 year old Windows 8.1 computer without using the data CD that came with it. Some time later, while the computer was detecting new hardware, Windows Explorer added floppy drive A: removing and replacing the floppy will NOT result in a new read, which is expected based on some other comments I've read here. Turn off the floppy drive, wait a few seconds and turn it back on, THEN inserting the floppy worked every time I tried. About the fact that some floppy disks are unreadable - this shouldn't be too surprising. The construction and design of floppy disks was based on much the same theory as cassettes - synthetic media onto which a metal powder was sprayed. Like cassettes, floppy disks deteriorate from day one, and the Grim Reaper of single-use consumer media draws closer every time you actually USE a product. Handling, dust and accidental magnetization, for example near a speaker, also play a role. I plan to only plug it in when I need it and keep it in a box in a cool place when I don't need it. It may not last forever, but what can you do? For what it's worth, it works and works well.
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