Context menu item "Format" missing on my DVD RW drive

I am running Win 7/SP1. I have a Sony Blu-Ray Burner BWU-500S. When I right click on the drive I no longer have a format option in the context menu. Does anyone know how I can restore/recreate the format item? I just recently did a clean install of Win 7 & have been in the process of reloading all my software. Everything concerning my drive was just fine, but somwhere something has gotten corrupted. I am not running any particular DVD burning software either.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Jim

Thanks for the replies. I was just hoping someone woukd know how to put Format context menu back. I have used image copy backups at different short intervals as I have progressed from the fresh Win 7 install to getting all my software installed & didn't use restore points. I have an SSD for my system drive & was trying to avoid to many restores to. All that writting to an expensive SSD shortens it's life span so I've been led to believe anyway. Sureley someone knows how to fix a context menu item,,, wouldn't ya think!!!

I have exactly the same problem. I have been formatting DVDs from the context menu with Windows 7 since it first came out. I have no revisions, software changes, reinstalls etc. A week ago the format option disappeared from the DVD context menu, and it has never come back. I agree that someone should surely know how to fix this. (Microsoft knowledge base wqs no help.) I am now formatting from a command prompt - not great

I had this same problem. Sounds strange but apparently you don't want to go unplugging USB flash drives without following proper 'safe' eject procedures or it can cause conflict / issues with you dvd burner. Try plugging in a USB drive then "eject" it properly. This seemed to return my DVD burner functions. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the tip! I'll give it shot!!

@rcloud7 Thank you for that tip! That was exactly my problem. Format option didn't appear in the context menyu for my Bluray drive. Plugged in a USB drive, then ejected it - bingo! - format now appears in my bluray context menu.

Thanks again!

It would sure be a godsend if someone would post the registry entry that puts "Format" into the context menu for CDs or DVDs. That is what many people are looking for instead of replies like "maybe your CD is read only."