Flash drive partition: Tips to set up partition:

Ever thought of setting up multiple partitions on a USB flash drive? Well, if you have been wondering whether it is possible to do so then the answer is ‘yes’. You can easily set up more than one partition on a USB flash drive using Windows XP. This article will show you exactly how to do that.

First, understand how the whole thing works. Windows XP/Vista detects a USB flash drive as removable media by default. Hence, it is impossible for it to display multiple partitions. Additionally you are not permitted by Windows to make more than one partition removable media.

However, if we are successful in making Windows detect the USB flash drive as a fixed drive, it will permit us to make more than one USB flash drive partitions. This will also make Windows detect as well as display those USB flash drive partitions.

If you want Windows to detect USB flash drive as a fixed drive, you require flipping the Removable Media Bit (RMB) on the USB Device. This process will let Windows detect flash drive as a fixed disk. Once the bit is flipped successfully, you can easily make more than one partition on a flash drive. This will also make Windows display those partitions.

Steps to successfully flip the USB Flash Drive RMB: 

Step one: This step involves downloading of the Lexar tool and extract to your PC.

Step two: Now you need to Plugin your USB flash drive. Run the executable.

Step three: Choose the option that tells you to ‘Flip Removable Bit’. Thereafter, remove and reinsert flash drive. This process should make Windows detect the flash drive as a fixed and not a removable disk. You may confirm this via right clicking the device and then studying the properties of the device.

Ways setup more than one flash drive partition in Windows:  Note: You need to proceed to this step only after flipping the RMB successfully.  

Step one: Navigate to ‘Start’. Now ‘Run’ and type diskmgmt.msc inside the dialog box. Click Ok.

Step two: Right click flash drive from the disk management window. Now choose the option to Delete Partition.

Step three:  Again Right Click flash. Choose the option ‘New Partition’.

Step four:  Continue with the instructions of the new partition Wizard and make a "Primary Partition".

Step five: You will reach a dialog box. This will let you set the Partition Size. Make sure that you set the Size to be smaller as compared to the capacity of the USB drive. This will give you some free space for another partition.

Step six: Pursue the Wizard. This will give your device a drive letter and also format the partition. A Fat32 partition is highly recommended.

Step seven:  Once you have created the first partition, you may easily create more additional partitions via utilizing step 3-6 on the empty space left on the drive. Once you are through with the steps mentioned above, you will enjoy multiple partitions on your USB flash drive. This will also be detected by and usable in Windows as individual drives.