Windows 7: Cannot format USB flash drive after using Windows 7 USB download tool

Dear all

Because of an issue with my laptop, I decided to reinstall Windows 7 home premium 64-bit. To that end, I borrowed a Kingston datatraveler 4GB usb flash drive from a friend to try and make a bootable flash drive.

After downloading the prerequisite ISO image and installing the windows 7 usb/dvd download tool, I proceeded to run the program. However, at around 6% the copying fails. As a result of this there is around 256 mb of files left on my usb. I then tried to use the diskpart utility in the CMD to clean the drive. However for some reason the usb drive is now write protected, and every subsequent attempt to format it to its original state has failed. I also cannot move files into the usb. Attached below is a screenshot of the files in the usb drive



So my question is, what has the windows 7 usb download tool done to the usb flash drive to make it read only? And how can I undo what it has done so I can format it and return it back to my friend?

Have you tried using Partition Wizard ?

Best Free Partition Manager Freeware and free partition magic for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista and Windows XP 32 bit & 64 bit. MiniTool Free Partition Manager Software Home Edition.

When the others fail the one which always works for me is UltraISO Software To Create Bootable USB Flash Drive.

Be sure to format first with Format button, then Write button.

Nope! You'll have to excuse me as I am not very familiar with computing in general.

What I am assuming from your suggestion though is that the USB download tool has created a partition on my usb flash drive that is read only to store these files, thus making my usb drive read only in the process. However I don't know what I should do once the tool has been installed. It would be great if you could tell me what to do with the partition wizard! Thank you

Use the tool I gave you in the post just above. It will handle everything and is not fussy like MS tool.

I will try out your suggestion greg. At this point I am just looking to format the usb drive to its original state so I can return it to my friend. Thank you for taking the time out to help me!

This one (Rufus) works well, also. Maybe you had a corrupt .iso that did not install properly to the USB

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives

There's no worry about that. After you install your licensed version just rightclick on the USB stick in explorer and Format and it will be ready to return to your friend.

But you really should have the installer for repairs and reinstall, or you can burn a System Repair CD - Create

Hey greg! Sorry to bother you again but I am running into a problem: the usb drive won't format when I use ultraISO. Following the steps outlined in your link I am able to reach step 5, however when I click the format button a message pops up telling me that the disk is write protected. How should I proceed?

Did you try Rufus ? Is it still not letting you ?