Can't change Volume Label on USB stick

I used a 32gb USB 3.0 stick to copy a single setup file from my laptop for a Cisco router and it turned out to turn the stick into a "Easy Setup Key," and rename the stick's volume label accordingly. I didn't need that, since I have another stick dedicated to that purpose. I'd like to change the volume label, but can't get the new one to hold. I tried the direct rename method, then both quick and slow re-formats of the stick (NTFS), but the new name doesn't hold. Right after the format, the new name does show, and it always shows on the Format dialogue box, but when I unplug and replug the stick into my desktop (3.0 port), my file manager shows it with the former "Easy Setup Key" label. How can I get this done? Thanks,

Download the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool 2.2.3 from Download HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool 2.2.3 Free - Windows-based Format Utility for HP Drive Key or DiskOnKey USB Device - Softpedia

It is a single 96KB HPUSBDisk.exe file. Plugin your pendrive, right click on the .exe file and run it as administrator. Give a new volume label and do a quick format. When finished, close the application, safely remove the pendrive plug it in again and check whether the new volume label sticks. ( If not we will try a more rigorous procedure.)

I'm embarrassed to say this, but it was a catalog cache issue in the file manager I use, Xyplorer. Thanks for your help and the good formatting app.

Good to know that. Thanks for sharing the info. I shall now explore Xyplorer.:)

I was wrong, the problem is still there; i.e., the stick still reads Easy Setup Key. Xyplorer gets its info from Windows. I opened Windows Explorer at the wrong moment - see OP - and thus was fooled.

Plan B?

Plan A - formatting with HP format tool - did not work??????

Now do this small experiment.:) ( I want to know how your system with Xyplorer behaves with other pendrives.)

Change the volume label on another pendrive, safely remove it and plug it in again. Does the change stick?

I am not going to wait for your answer, since I am retiring for the day and won't be up again for the next 10 hours.

Now this is the Plan B which you can try.

Download the HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool v4.25 ( the Windows executable version that requires no installation)

Plug in your pendrive, and low level format it. It will write zeros to each and every sector of the pendrive and reinitialise it to the factory condition. It will take quite sometime but the advantage here when compared to Diskpart- clean all is that you can see the progress and not grow impatient.:)

At the end of it you have to do a regular format. Use the HP Tool, giving a volume label ( and not the Windows Disk Management).

Even after this the volume label reverts, then it is not with the pendrive and we have to look into your system.

I think other veterans will be able to help you in that even if I am not around.

Finally! I just ran the Format Tool and it worked. Before doing so, Windows Explorer and Xyplorer showed the old label name, while the Disk Mgt console showed the new one. Cisco's setup key process must have identified the disk in a way that only a low level format, turning it to RAW, could get at. Thanks.

Glad to know your problem is resolved. Mark it as solved if you have no further queries.

After my last post here yesterday as I was swirling in my bed, it suddenly dawned on me that I might have missed putting the link to the HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool. Morning I was relieved to find that you got it right and the problem is resolved.

Plan C needed. Plugged it in today and it reads "Easy Setup Key" again. This is crazy, because in Computer Mgt it shows the new name.