Windows 10: Format a drive - not possible - in use... but by what?

Trying to format an empty partition. The only things there are two system folders:
$Recycle.bin
System Volume Information

Am getting a warning:

"
This drive is in use. Another program or process is using this drive. Do you want to format it anyway?
"

The possible solutions that can be found on Internet are using DISKPART or DiskManagement or simply click on [YES] in the warning pop-up.

However, my question is: is there a way to figure out what other program is 'using' the drive?

I may force a format, but then again, I wouldn't know what other program, or process, has been holding me back from the conventional way of formatting.

Thanks!

:)

 

Can't format USB 32GB drive in NTFS format

Having read several threads of how to Format a USB drive into NTFS format.

I have 32GB stick and tried several methods to do this without success.

Tried

• changing the properties of the 'policy' of the drive in device manager
• changing to 'default allocation unit size' in formatting
• changing from 'quick format'
• running as Admin with CMD Prompt and with ('drive letter': /fs:ntfs) this says cannot format a raw drive ??

Yet no problems in formatting as Fat32.

Any other tips

 

How to format an encrepted Flash Drive using windows 10

Hello Nancy,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.



We do understand your concern and we will be happy to help you regarding this.



Please answer the below questions:

• How are you exactly trying to format the flash drive?
• What is the exact error message?
• Did you try formatting the flash drive in another computer?

Please get back to us with the information.

If you have any further queries, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help you.



Thank you.