Guide

Windows tip: how to delete nasty partitions on USB sticks

18/7/2023

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

Some SSDs or USB sticks contain unnecessary partitions that needlessly take up space. Simple formatting won’t always be able to remove them. Luckily, I’ve got just the tip to fix this issue.

In the age of clouds, USB sticks and external SSDs have almost fallen out of favour a bit. Still, not all data can be stored in the cloud, allowing sticks and co. their time to shine. Some manufacturers include custom partitions on their sticks, taking up a bit of storage space in the process. Creating a boot stick can also leave behind partitions which can’t be removed using simple formatting later on. Even managing your storage spaces won’t always help. It’s annoying. Time for more drastic measures.

Windows includes a tool for just this pickle: Diskpart. I’ll show you how to use it and how it can help you with your partition problem. Keep in mind, this’ll also remove any data on your SSD or stick. So make a backup beforehand if you still need anything after. I also recommend you remove any other external storage device, just to avoid any accidents.

How to use Diskpart

Connect the storage device to a Windows PC. If it’s visible in the Explorer, you’re ready. I’m using a USB storage stick in this example.

In the Start menu, enter «diskpart» and select «Run as administrator» on the right side (otherwise this won’t work).

You’ll need admin rights.
Source: Florian Bodoky

Now enter the command «list disk» and press Enter. This will display all your storage devices. Your internal SSDs or HDDs, any internal DVD drives (if you even still have one) and the external stick. They’ll sometimes be labelled in quite a cryptic way. It isn’t always clear which drive is which. You’ll often be able to identify them by their size. This is why I recommended removing other external drives at the start. You don’t want to accidentally work on the wrong stick now, do you?

Let’s see, what drivers are we working with?
Source: Florian Bodoky

Identify your external drive in the list and memorise its number.
Now write «select disk X» and press Enter. Make sure to replace «X» with your drive’s number.

Make sure to choose the right drive…
Source: Florian Bodoky

Now type «clean» and press Enter. Any and all partitions and data have now been deleted. Including those added by the manufacturer, if there were any.

Now you’ll need to create another partition to use the stick. Type «create partition primary» and press Enter. This’ll create one partition encompassing the entire stick’s storage space.

Here’s how to create a new partition in Diskpart.
Source: Florian Bodoky

Now when you select the stick in the Explorer, Windows will automatically ask you if you want to format it. Click «Yes». If your stick is larger than 4 GB, make sure to switch to exFAT in the drop-down menu (see screenshot). This system supports larger files and adds compatibility with macOS as well as consoles like PS5 and Xbox. Now you’ll be able to use the entire storage device.

Choose exFAT when formatting.
Source: Florian Bodoky

Header image: Shutterstock

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Florian Bodoky

Editor

Florian.Bodoky@digitecgalaxus.ch

I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.

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