Can't delete USB partition? Time to fix it!

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

Key points

• Find out why the "Delete Volume" option is grayed out.
• Get free third-party deletion software and built-in Windows command tools to delete volumes.
• Read all methods in 3 minutes.

Page Content

Why is Delete Volume grayed out in Disk Management?
Method 1: Remove USB Partition on Windows 10 with Partition Master
Method 2: Delete USB Partition with Diskpart

Can't delete partitions or volumes on USB?

Deleting a drive is a quick way to free up space. However, you can't delete a partition on a USB through Disk Management.

So, can't I delete a partition on USB?

Why is the "Delete Volume" option grayed out in Disk Management?

If the Delete Volume option is grayed out, it's likely because Disk Management can't delete partitions on removable devices.

How to Format a USB Drive on Windows 10/11?

There are two other simple ways to remove partitions from USB using Partition Master Free and Command Prompt.

Method 1: Remove partitions from USB using Partition Master On Windows 10, you can use a tool called Partition Master to remove partitions from your USB device. Follow these steps: 1. Visit the official website of Partition Master and download the software. Make sure you download the version compatible with Windows 10. 2. Install the software and open Partition Master. You may need to run it as an administrator. 3. Connect your USB device to your computer. Ensure that there is no important data on it, as this process will erase everything. 4. In the Partition Master interface, you'll see a list of your hard disks and USB devices. Locate and select the USB device from which you want to delete the partition. 5. On the selected USB device, find the specific partition you want to delete and right-click on it. 6. From the context menu, choose "Delete Partition" or "Format Partition." Note that formatting will clear all data but usually also deletes the partition automatically. 7. Confirm the action. Partition Master will warn you that this will permanently delete data. If you're sure, click "OK" or "Execute." 8. The software will begin the process of deleting the partition. This might take some time, depending on the size of your USB device. 9. Once finished, close Partition Master and safely eject the USB device. Now, your USB should have one unallocated space, which you can use to create a new partition as needed. Please back up important data beforehand to avoid losing it.

tools Partition Master Free is a free and reliable software that can delete partitions with simple steps. The software can be used to delete any number of partitions on a hard drive, including the EFI System Partition. It also allows you to create, format, and resize partitions. This tool works with all versions of Windows.

Download Partition Master Free to optimize your hard drive space.

< strong > Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant and then click "Partition Management".

Before deleting any partitions on a disk, make sure you have backed up important data.

Step 2: Choose to delete a partition on the hard drive or delete all partitions.

• Delete a partition: Right-click the partition you want to delete, and then choose "Delete".
• Delete all partitions: Right-click the hard disk where you want to delete all partitions, and then choose "Delete All".

Step 3: Click OK to confirm the deletion.

Step 4: Click on "Run Task xx", and then click "Apply" to save the changes.

0:00 - 0:26 Remove a single volume; 0:27 - 0:53 Delete all partitions.

Option 2: Delete partitions on the USB device using Diskpart

Diskpart is a command-line tool used for managing disks, partitions, and volumes on Windows systems. Diskpart can be employed to create, delete, format, and resize partitions, as well as assign drive letters and mount points. It can also convert between different types of disks (such as Basic and Dynamic disks) and create or delete RAID arrays. Additionally, Diskpart can help fix common disk and partition issues, like corrupted MBR entries or missing EFI system partitions.

Diskpart is a powerful utility used to perform various disk and partition management tasks. However, due to the risk of data loss, it must be used with caution and only when necessary.

How to Delete Partitions on a USB Drive in Windows 10/11:

Step 1: Press "Windows + R" to open the Run dialog box. Type cmd, then click OK to open the Command Prompt.

Step 2: Type “diskpart” and press Enter.

Step 3: Type “list disk” and press Enter. (This will show all the hard drives on your computer.)

Step 4. Type in “select disk X” (replace X with the correct number of your USB drive). Make sure you select the right disk that you want to delete.

5. Type list partition and press Enter. (This will list all partitions on the USB drive.)

Step 6. Type in «_select partition X_» (replace X with your partition number. Remember to check your disk identifier one more time) and press Enter.

Step 7: Type “delete partition” and press Enter.

Step 8: Type exit and press Enter.

Conclusions

Suppose you want to free up USB space, but need help deleting partitions through disk management. You can use two primary methods to delete partitions on a USB drive – Partition Master Tool and Diskpart. Both methods are relatively straightforward and allow you to remove partitions from your USB drive. However, Partition Master is a more comprehensive partition management tool that offers additional features not found in Diskpart.

"Frequently Asked Questions on 'Cannot Delete Volume on USB'"

Why won't my USB let me delete files?

If your USB is set to write-protected mode, you won't be able to delete files from it. To remove the write protection from your USB, open File Explorer, right-click the USB drive, and select "Properties." Uncheck the "Read-only" box, then click "Apply."

How to delete an undeletable partition?

One way is to use a third-party partition management software, such as Partition Master, which can help you delete the partition and then recreate it. Another method is to use the built-in Disk Management tool in Windows, which can also assist you in deleting a partition and recreating it. Lastly, you can utilize the Command Prompt to delete a partition.

How do I force delete a partition?

Press the "Windows + R" keys to open the Run box.

Input instruction:

1. diskpart
2. list disk
3. select disk X
4. list partition
5. select partition X
6. delete partition override