H2testw is a free utility designed to test for fake USB flash drives, counterfeit SD cards, and other external flash memory devices. It verifies the actual storage capacity, ensuring the device hasn’t been tampered with to display a false size. Additionally, it can check USB sticks and memory cards for errors, making it a reliable tool for safeguarding your data. This lightweight and portable software supports both English and Deutsch languages.

H2testw: Detect Fake USB Flash Drives & Test for Errors

H2testw works by writing test data to the selected storage device and then reading it back to verify data integrity. If the device has been tampered with to display an incorrect storage size or contains errors, this free USB testing software will detect the issues. For authentic devices, the test will complete without errors.

Whether you're testing a new USB flash drive, troubleshooting an SD card, or identifying a faulty memory stick, H2testw is a must-have utility for storage testing.

Note: You should always back up your data before running H2testw, as testing may overwrite existing files.

Why Use H2testw?

Here are eight reasons why we think H2testw is an essential tool for flash drive testing and error checking:

Capacity Testing: Verifies if the device’s actual storage matches the claimed capacity.
Data Integrity Verification: Confirms there are no errors during data writing and reading.
Fake Device Detection: Identifies counterfeit devices reporting larger-than-actual capacities.
Performance Insights: Measures read and write speeds for better performance understanding.
Portable Utility: A standalone executable that requires no installation.
User-Friendly: Features a simple interface for hassle-free testing.
Detailed Reporting: Provides comprehensive error and performance reports.
Wide Compatibility: Works with various versions of Windows, including Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7.

How to Use H2testw to Test USB Drives

Follow these steps to use this USB testing tool:

Download H2testw and extract the contents of the zip file to your USB stick.
Run the Executable: Launch the H2testw.exe file without installation.
Select the Target Device: Choose the USB drive or SD card you want to test.
Start the Test: Click "Write + Verify" to begin the testing process.
Review the Report: Check for errors, speed details, and actual capacity in the generated report.

Warning: Testing will overwrite all data on the selected device. Ensure no important files remain on the drive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What does H2testw do?
A: It is a utility designed to verify the actual capacity of USB flash drives, SD cards, and other flash memory devices. It writes a test pattern to the storage device and reads it back to check for errors or inconsistencies. This process helps detect fake drives (devices that report more storage than they physically have) and ensures the device can reliably store data without corruption.

Q: Can H2testw recover lost or corrupted data?
A: No, the USB checking software strictly functions as a testing tool. Its purpose is to verify storage capacity and detect issues like data corruption or counterfeit devices. If you need to recover lost files, you’ll need specialized data recovery software such as Wise Data Recovery or similar tools.

Q: Is H2testw compatible with macOS or Linux?
A: No, it is natively designed for Windows systems and does not have official versions for macOS or Linux. However, macOS and Linux users can run H2testw using compatibility layers or virtualization tools like Wine or VirtualBox. Alternatively, macOS users can consider tools like *F3* (Fight Flash Fraud), a free and open source H2testw alternative that runs natively on macOS and Linux.

Q: Does it support drives larger than 1TB?
A: Yes, this error detection tool can check USB for errors on drives larger than 1TB. However, testing large capacity devices may take significantly more time, especially if the device has slow read/write speeds. For very large drives, users might consider testing only a portion of the storage by adjusting the file size limits in the tool's settings to save time.

Q: What should I do if H2testw finds errors?
A: If errors are detected during the test, it could indicate several issues:

The USB drive is counterfeit and does not have the advertised storage capacity.
The USB device is damaged or beginning to fail due to extensive use or hardware issues.
There may be corruption caused by improper usage or unsafe removal from the computer.

In such cases, avoid using the device for critical data storage. If it’s a new purchase, consider contacting the seller or manufacturer for a replacement or refund.

Q: Can H2testw test multiple drives simultaneously?
A: No, H2testw does not support simultaneous testing of multiple drives. It is designed to test one storage device at a time. For users needing to test multiple devices, running multiple instances of the program on separate machines or using alternative tools with batch testing features may be helpful.

Q: Is H2testw safe to use?
A: Yes, it is completely safe as long as you follow the guidelines. However, keep in mind that it will overwrite all existing data on the selected device during testing. Always back up any important files before running the test to prevent accidental data loss.

Q: Does it work with encrypted drives or partitions?
A: No is not optimized for testing encrypted drives. If the drive uses encryption or specialized partitioning systems, it may not perform as expected. For such cases, decrypt the drive or use testing tools compatible with encrypted storage.

Alternatives to H2testw

If you find this free fake USB detection software useful, you might also consider FakeFlashTest, another free utility for detecting counterfeit USB drives and SD cards. Additionally, USB Flash Tools is a versatile toolkit for USB testing. It also includes features to check a USB stick for errors and assess a devices reliability.

H2testw Specifications

Official Website: Project Home Page
Developer: Harald Bögeholz
Extracted Size: 438 KB
License: Freeware
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7
Application Category: Utility
Editor's Rating: ★★★★★