64 gig flash drive shows as local disk

I bought a Sandisk Cruzer Glide 64 Gig today and it shows as a local disk on all three of our computers (Vista & XP). I've got some 32 Gigs but they always show as removable; this is my first 64 Gig. I formatted it as NTFS and exFAT and it did the same with both formats. At first I thought there was something wrong, now I'm wondering if it's just normal. Anyone know? I tried searching the web for an answer but all I found was ads for flash drives.

 

Ah, thanks a lot ronjor. That'll actually be a lot better for me since I'm gonna be keeping it plugged in to function as a second local disk. A local disk also has some advantages in XP like being able to remember your folder view settings. It'll also delete to the recycle bin.

 

This part sounds troubling:

Is that just a disclaimer that they won't answer support calls regarding it, or is there something in these new drives that prevents them from being booted? I find bootable flash drives extremely handy, so I hope this is nothing.

 

Hey SirDrexl. From the context it sounds like they aren't bootable. I could be wrong but that's what it sounds like.

 

Yes, you are wrong .
What it means is : Sandisk can't be bothered to help you, probably because the windows-licensing doesn't allow 'portable windows' .

But this is good news, it means that you can create multiple, usable, partitions
under windows .
(It also means that your NTFS-formatted flashdrive will have 'System Volume Information' and 'Recycle bin')

 

Enigm, I read your answer but it would be helpful, for me at least, if you could share how it is exactly you know I'm wrong.

My 64 Gig is configured as exFAT and it also has a Recycle Bin (not just NTFS). I've used many flash drives with a special driver I have that makes them Local and even those, configured as FAT32, have Recycle Bins.

 

allizomeniz,

I have a 16 GB UFD that is seen as a Hard Drive and not as a Removable Drive. It is bootable.

Edit ... It is a Verbatim UFD, USB 3.

 

Some more info here! Go to page 225, post 5620!

 

Thanks for that ratchet. Luckily I don't plan on using mine for backup media, but it's good to know. Sounds like it might just depend on the brand whether it's bootable or not.

Maybe if there's a big enough need someone'll invent a driver that'll convert the new configuration back to removable.