Losing steps while cutting

[coryatjohn]

I always run files from the flash drive.

[JimDav]

I always run files from the flash drive.

Yes, and you stated you never the 'eject' either, though I think you said you never write to one which would be fine.
One can often get by running a stop sign too but it's certainly not recommended.

With 40 years working with computers, I've found it best NOT to tempt the gremlins - ESPECIALLY with older OS systems such as XP. The gremlins are active enough without tempting them.
One can often get by with breaking commonly accepted practices with life and computers with no bad results BUT that one time where it doesn't work can be devastating, or at least aggravating,

Why risk it to save second or two?

Technically I suspect you could even remove the flash drive completely to run after the program has been loaded. It is loaded into the processor to execute. I seriously doubt the flash drive is accessed again.
Back in the old days with limited memory - can you say 16K/32K - overlays containing portions of the coding were swapped in and out of memory/storage unit as needed to accommodate the limited memory.