Solved USB key partitioned - need to get the extra space back


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BobD

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Windows 11 Pro 22H2
Edition Windows 11 Pro
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎9/‎11/‎2022
OS build 22621.1848
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22642.1000.0
I have a 64GB USB key which has somehow been set to a partition of about 1GB.
It was OK originally. I went to use it today and was told not enough space.
Checking in Disk Manager it shows as a 1GB partition and 56GB unallocated.
What's the best way to get the unallocated space back?

1686720289874.png

Solved
The solution was staring me in the face. I used Windows Disk Manager.
 
Last edited:

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Use Disk Management.
If there something on the flash drive then copy it somewhere safe before you continue.
Right-click on 1GB partition and select Delete Volume
Right-click on Unallocated space and select New Simple Volume
Click Next
Click Next
Click Next
For File system select FAT32
Click Next
Click Finish
 

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garlin said:
Did you mean NTFS, instead of FAT32?
Click to expand...
It normally doesn't matter on a flash drive. It's your choice. However, FAT32 is limited to 4GB files.
 

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    ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II
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    Logitech K520 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
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    Other Info
    ASUS Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT (SATA) || Western Digital Easystore 20TB USB 3.0 external hard drive used with Acronis True Image 2025 backup software || HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 Printer/Scanner
Fat32 is also limited to maximum drive size 32GB if you use Windows to format it.
You can use MiniToolPartitionWizard to format larger drives as Fat32 and Windows is then perfectly happy to work with them correctly.
I keep one large disk as Fat32 because I can then connect it to my Android phone for its explorer-equivalent to read-write the disk. [Getting Androids to read NTFS disks currently requires specialist, paid-for add-ons.]


Denis
 

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In case you need multiple bootable partitions on the 64 GB flash drive another option is Ventoy:

Ventoy

Ventoy is an open source tool to create bootable USB drive for ISO files. With ventoy, you don't need to format the disk again and again, you just need to copy the iso file to the USB drive and boot it.
www.ventoy.net www.ventoy.net
 

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Try3 said:
Fat32 is also limited to maximum drive size 32GB if you use Windows to format it.
You can use MiniToolPartitionWizard to format larger drives as Fat32 and Windows is then perfectly happy to work with them correctly.
I keep one large disk as Fat32 because I can then connect it to my Android phone for its explorer-equivalent to read-write the disk. [Getting Androids to read NTFS disks currently requires specialist, paid-for add-ons.]


Denis
Click to expand...
Have you tried exFAT? It doesn't have the same limitations as FAT.
 

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    16 GB (8+8)
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    3050 Ti
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    500 GB NVMe OS drive + 1 TB NVMe for games and space
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Yes, I have tried exFat.
It had no particular advantage.

[I omitted from my earlier post that PowerShell can also format large drives as Fat32. It is painfully slow though.]


Denis
 

My Computer

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  • OS
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@Try3 exFAT is the successor to FAT32, it doesn't have the same 4GB max file size limitation. Plus, exFAT is compatible with more devices than NTFS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tuf F17
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-11400H
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    16 GB (8+8)
    Graphics Card(s)
    3050 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    500 GB NVMe OS drive + 1 TB NVMe for games and space
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge (Primary), Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Security Cloud Free.
I know.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3447
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