Windows 10: How to Set a USB Flash Drive Partition as Inactive?

Discus and support How to Set a USB Flash Drive Partition as Inactive? in Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware to solve the problem; I have a USB flash drive which for some reason is formatted with an active partition. I usually use Minitool Partition Wizard to set a partition as... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware' started by Steve C, Feb 4, 2016.

  1. Steve C Win User

    How to Set a USB Flash Drive Partition as Inactive?


    I have a USB flash drive which for some reason is formatted with an active partition.

    I usually use Minitool Partition Wizard to set a partition as inactive but for some reason it doesn't work on this flash drive. I also tried booting from the Partition Wizard boot disk but that won't set the partition inactive either. I even deleted the partition and reformatted the flash drive but it popped up as active again!

    How can I force the partition to be set inactive? Note it's quite an old USB flash drive so I'm wondering if there something in the hardware which stops it being set inactive?

    :)
     
    Steve C, Feb 4, 2016
    #1

  2. Computer will not upgrade from win 8.1 to win 10

    1) Create an Image Backup of Windows 8.1

    How to create an Image Backup of Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 to an External USB Drive

    How to create an Image Backup of Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 to an External USB Drive

    Uses the free version of EaseUs Todo Backup 9.1 to external USB drive.

    Alternative: How to create an Image Backup to a USB Flash Drive

    How to create an Image Backup to a USB Flash Drive

    2) Download any install either of the 2 partition managers listed below and create a bootable CD / USB drive

    Partition Wizard Home Edition (Free):

    Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free

    Note: There is also a bootable CD or bootable Flash drive versions:

    CD:
    http://www.partitionwizard.com/partition-wizard-bootable-cd.html


    Flash Drive:
    http://www.partitionwizard.com/bootable-flash-drive.html


    Resize Partition Video:
    http://www.partitionwizard.com/help/resize-partition.html


    Some of the features and Functions include: Create partition, Delete partition, Format partition,

    Resizing a partition, Move partitions, Restore Partition after accidental deletion,

    Convert partition, Explore partition, Hide partition, Disk surface test,

    Change drive letter, Set active partition, partition explorer (View contents).

    Note: To complete any task use the 'Pending Operations' box located in the lower or top left.

    EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition (Free):

    Free partition manager software to resize partitions - EaseUS Partition Master Free

    How to create a bootable USB /Flash drive:
    http://www.partition-tool.com/resource/manage-partition/usb-partition-manager.htm


    ALL-IN-ONE partition software and the most convenient hard disk partition manager toolkit

    Includes Partition Manager, Disk & Partition Copy Wizard and Partition Recovery Wizard on MBR and GUID partition table (GPT) disk under Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7 and Windows Server 2000/2003/2008 (32 bit and 64 bit).

    It allows users to Resize/Move Partition, Extend System Drive, Copy Disk & Partition, Merge Partition, Split Partition, Redistribute Free Space, Convert Dynamic Disk, Convert GPT Disk to MBR, Partition Recovery and much more.

    Note: If you have a spare unused disk drive you can swap the 8.1 drive out and use the empty / spare drive to skip steps 1 &2 and go to step #3

    3) Use the Partition Master or Partition Wizard bootable CD or USB drive to delete all partitions on your drive

    (Disconnect any other drivers before you start)

    4) Try a "Custom"/Clean install of Windows 10 and see if the install will complete. If it does then we know there is still something in Windows 8.1 that a roadblock to completing the installation.

    :
    http://www.pagestart.com
     
    J W Stuart, Feb 4, 2016
    #2
  3. Powhammer Win User
    bootmgr is missing

    Make sure that the BIOS is set to boot from your USB flash drive. Watch the message appear on you screen when it instructs you to hit any keys to boot from your flash drive. Once it boots up to the flash drive, you will need to delete the partitions, then
    create a new partition. Next task is to click on 'Format'. Then proceed installing the Windows 10. Note: it will create another partition which will probably be 100 MB or larger. Ignore that partition and do not format it.
     
    Powhammer, Feb 4, 2016
    #3
  4. Kyhi Win User

    How to Set a USB Flash Drive Partition as Inactive?

    insert USB

    use diskpart

    Diskpart
    List volume
    select volume # (# being volume number for usb stick)
    Inactive
     
    Kyhi, Feb 4, 2016
    #4
  5. Steve C Win User
    I tried that but I get the message "There is no partition selected" (see screenshot). I then tried the command select partition 1 and that didn't work either.


    How to Set a USB Flash Drive Partition as Inactive? [​IMG]
     
    Steve C, Feb 4, 2016
    #5
  6. topgundcp Win User
    Use:
    ......
    list disk
    select disk #
    select partition 1
    inactive
     
    topgundcp, Feb 4, 2016
    #6
  7. Steve C Win User
    That doesn't work either - seen screenshot. I'm thinking there may be a hardware issue with this flash drive since all my other ones work as expected.


    How to Set a USB Flash Drive Partition as Inactive? [​IMG]
     
    Steve C, Feb 4, 2016
    #7
  8. topgundcp Win User

    How to Set a USB Flash Drive Partition as Inactive?

    Show us a screen shot of Disk Management.
     
    topgundcp, Feb 4, 2016
    #8
  9. Steve C Win User
    Here is the Disk Management layout:

    How to Set a USB Flash Drive Partition as Inactive? [​IMG]
     
    Steve C, Feb 4, 2016
    #9
  10. cereberus Win User
    I am guessing there is more than one partition on the usb drive, but Windows does not recognise multiple partitions. It could be there is a hidden msr partition or something like that as well interfering with things.

    Even disk management might not show all partitions.

    I would use both minitools partition manager, and even then it might not work?

    It may be necessary to use gparted (linux).

    I was surprised the other when I tried to diskpart/clean an hdd with some hidden partitions, it did not totally nuke the drive, and I had to manually delete a hidden partition (somehow I had two msr partitions).
     
    cereberus, Feb 4, 2016
    #10
  11. topgundcp Win User
    Your disk 4 is already inactive.
    @cereberus
    From dispart, the stick only has 1 partition.

    @steveC
    What bothers me is why you cannot select the partition. Since this stick is only 500MB, I guess it's pretty old and certain stick won't even allow to create as bootable.
     
    topgundcp, Feb 4, 2016
    #11
  12. lx07 Win User
    What if you delete the partition, convert gpt and then create a new partition?
     
  13. Steve C Win User

    How to Set a USB Flash Drive Partition as Inactive?

    Thanks for your help. I've now deleted the partition in Partition Wizard and created a new formatted partition. The disk is now inactive. The DISKPART selection commands now work but I'm mystified why the previous commands didn't work.
     
    Steve C, Feb 4, 2016
    #13
  14. banesoul Win User
    can you please elaborate how you solved it please im having the same problem with my drive
     
    banesoul, Apr 5, 2018
    #14
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How to Set a USB Flash Drive Partition as Inactive?

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