Looking to convert a USB flash drive to a local disk? Then this article is for you. In this article, we will talk about how to achieve converting a USB flash drive to local disk successfully and also find about how you can partition the USB flash drive using disk management.
It is known that a flash drive or USB drive is used as a removable disk in the computer. Mainly used to transfer data between two computer devices. It can also be added to your local drives and can be used as a partition. Before that let us consider scenarios in which you might want to convert a USB drive to a local disk.
I have a Sandisk Cruzer Switch 8GB Pendrive. I want to change it to Local Disk. Can any one please help me to change the USB drive to a local disk.
Yes, in this article, we will help you to convert the USB drive to the local disk but before heading for the conversion you need to understand the reasons to convert your USB drive to local disk.
Scenario 1: Sometimes it is required to use your USB drive as a local disk to install an operating system or if you are running out of memory maybe because there are large files of programs saved in your local disk. or Files that are too large for USB.. Generally, you cannot install OS on a removable disk.
Hence, if your computer is running low on internal storage space, converting USB to a local disk will help you save the storage space. Additionally, converting the external drive to local will also allow you to carry a personal computer on the go. So, you can just plug and play whenever it is required.
Scenario 2: Generally, Windows only supports multiple partitions for hard disk drives that are identified as local. The only way you can create a partition on a USB drive is by converting the USB drive to a local disk.
Important Note: Creating multiple partitions on USB flash drives might be one of the reasons why your USB is not showing full capacity. If you have faced the same issue. Then we recommend you go through this article to find out how to restore the USB drive back to full capacity.
Since, recently most of the storage drives provide storage space of 1TB and above, converting USB to local disk will allow you to create partitions. A better way to organize your vast amounts of data.
There are various ways to convert a USB flash drive as the local disk; here I am listing one of the best and most convenient methods of converting USB to a local drive:
Note: Before performing these steps make sure you create a backup of your flash drive data else, you may lose your files. In case that happens, immediately stop using the drive and recover lost files from the flash drive using Remo Recover Software.
Note: We are going to edit the section named “device_instance_id_goes_here”. It is better to keep this file open.
Note: Make sure you are logged in as an administrator
Then open the Details tab and select Device description. Click on the Device instance path from the list.
In most cases, a flash drive or USB drive is used as a detachable disk in your computer. It is mostly used to transport data between two computers. It can, however, be added to your local drives and utilised as a hard drive partition. This is useful if you are running out of hard disk space. The flash drive, like your hard disk, can be partitioned.
Insert the USB flash drive into your computer's USB drive. When you insert the drive, it appears in the "Devices in Removable Storage" section of "My Computer."
With these steps, you can easily convert your flash drive into a local disk. Again open Disk Management and now you will see the removable disk as a local drive.
However, once you are done with the above steps, you can not only install the operating system on the USB drive but it will also help you when your system is running out of memory. Make sure your USB has sufficient memory before performing these options.
Also Read: Way to Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk
NOTE: If you have some data stored in the Drive then take a backup before you perform the following steps.
Steps to follow:
Right-click on the unallocated space and select New Simple Volume and click on Next. Give a name to the new volume and again click Next > Finish.
By this time, we hope that you were able to convert USB Flash Drive into the Hard drive. You can convert a USB to a hard drive using Disk Management as mentioned in the article. If you have any queries please drop a query in the comment section below.