How to mount multiple partitions on a USB removable drive?

Brian J Hoskins · 05 Oct 2014

Hi all,

I have a USB flash drive on which I have created two partitions. Due to the way that Windows deals with removable drives, it ignores all but the primary partition on the drive. Therefore it is not possible to mount any of the other partitions using standard Windows software.

On Linux it is possible to mount all of the drive's partitions because it treats removable drives the same way as fixed drives.

I have done a fair bit of research to see if I can find some software for Windows that would allow me to bypass the standard Windows behaviour and mount the extra partitions on the drive. Unfortunately I've not been able to find anything. I did find some information about a Lexar format tool which allows you to flip the RMB bit on a flash drive so that it enumerates itself as a fixed drive instead; solving the problem. Unfortunately this tool doesn't work with all USB flash drives, and it doesn't work with mine.

Has anyone here solved this for themselves? If so can you share your solution?

Thanks!

Brian

whs · 05 Oct 2014

I have done that on this flash drive - see picture

jumanji · 05 Oct 2014

@whs

SanDisk pen drives manufactured between June 2012 and Dec 2013 or about were configured as Fixed Disks, to meet new requirements for Windows 8 Certification.

You had done it on a San Disk pen drive that was manufactured during this time.

This was discussed in a July 2014 post here Partition USB Pen Drive

You can't do it on a SanDisk pendrive manufactured after Dec 2013 or any other brand pendrive/s which are configured as removable disks.

whs · 05 Oct 2014

I know. I have seen that earlier. But at least on this flash drive it works.

jumanji · 05 Oct 2014

That doesn't help the OP in anyway

. "I have a Rolls Royce." :)

To me it appears that the only way the OP can mount any partition in a multipartitioned Pendrive on Windows is to hide all other partitions preceding it, so that Windows will see it as the first partition. He may have to use a third party software to hide the preceding partitions.

whs · 06 Oct 2014

My point is that you need a special flash drive for multiple partitions. At least with that one it is possible. It does not help either to tell him that it is impossible.

jumanji · 06 Oct 2014

The fact is no such special flash drive is available.If available please tell the OP where to get it. His problem will be solved.:)

Brian J Hoskins · 06 Oct 2014

Thank you both for your replies.

The use of a particular make/model flash drive does not help me right now, as I have already purchased a 128GB drive for use in my application. Still, it is useful to be aware of this in case I am making a future purchase.

Regarding the "it's impossible" response, no this doesn't help me solve my problem but it does help me stop wasting my time on it ;-)

If anyone else has something useful to add please do share.

Thanks,

Brian

Brian J Hoskins · 06 Oct 2014

For reference:

I did find some instructions here which claim to solve the problem for 32-bit Windows users only.

Brian