Formatted flash drive FAT32 in Linux, shows up as "Local Disc" in Windows

maples · 12-18-2013, 05:21 PM

This is more of a curiosity than an actual problem. I have a 16GB flash drive that I installed Linux on. Later I decided that I didn't want the Linux to be on it, and used Linux to format it FAT32. I plugged it into my Windows machine, and it lists it as a "Local Disc." I reformatted it FAT32 under Windows, and it still listed it as a "Local Disc."

Again, this is just out of curiosity, and I plan on installing more Linux OSes on it soon

haertig · 12-18-2013, 06:22 PM

Sandisk? If so, they are now configuring their thumbdrives as hard disks rather than removeable ones. I don't know about other thumbdrive manufacturers. It's evidently a Microsoft requirement to configure your removeable devices as fixed devices in order to be listed as a "certified Windows 8 device". Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot Microsoft???

Reference:
http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12830

Quote:

Historically, flash drives have been configured as removable disks and Windows Explorer displays them as 'Removable Media'. Windows 8 Certification requires flash drive manufacturers to configure flash drives as fixed disks. Flash drives configured as fixed disk will show up in Windows Explorer as 'Hard Disk Drives'...

jefro · 12-18-2013, 10:01 PM

MS had a way to cheat it but there was also a flip bit app to change some brands.
Syslinux sometimes seems to do that too.

The reason it is a flash is how one normally would expect to disconnect it. MS sets the cache differently at least.

maples · 12-20-2013, 11:09 PM

...so, it sounds like it is a problem that can't be solved without getting really deep into the rabbit hole...bummer. Oh, well; thanks anyway!