Share via

How to change USB back into Removable Disk (after using it as installation media/local disk)?

Anonymous
2014-05-28T15:10:01+00:00

Hi all,

Because of issues with my computer, I had to create installation media with a USB. I used the Microsoft support pages for this, and it eventually converted one of my USBs into a Windows 8 installation device. I installed 8 fine and everything is great (yay!).

But when I enter my USB into a computer (even after quick formatting it), it is always seen as a local disk. I want it to be a removable disk again. Is there any way to do this?

Here is a picture of the "properties" of the USB as of now. It's a really nice USB 3.0, so I'd like to fix this if possible!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

5 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-28T18:38:27+00:00

    I did as you suggested but saw that the USB already had "quick removable in the check box". I guess it's still reading as usb.. but being shown as local disk. I don't know why.

    Was this answer helpful?

    10 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-28T18:00:22+00:00

    Right-click or press and hold Computer (This PC), click or tap Properties > Device Manager (in the left pane) to see if the drive appears under ‘Disk drives‘. If it does, right-click or press and hold it, click or tap Properties > Policies Tab and check if you have a ‘Quick Removable’ check box. A USB device should have a check in this box. Restart the computer if you change anything.

    Was this answer helpful?

    9 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-05-29T16:21:26+00:00

    I can't turn off write caching because it's greyed out. I'm not even sure what this is. When looking at another usb, I notice that this entire write caching menu doesn't exist.

    Was this answer helpful?

    5 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-05-29T18:02:14+00:00

    When I said “Have you turned off write caching”, I really meant, what is the effect of clicking on the link ‘How can I change the write-caching for this device'?

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2014-05-29T05:27:03+00:00

    Have you tried turning off the 'write caching'?

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments