The Lexar BootIt USB Format Tool, originally developed and released by Janaki from Lexar's support team, is a small but powerful Windows utility designed to format USB flash drives. What makes BootIt unique is its ability to flip the removable media bit on certain USB drives, a feature that is rarely available in standard USB formatting tools.
Lexar BootIt | USB Format Tool to Flip the Removable Bit
Lexar BootIt allows compatible USB flash drives to be identified as fixed disks instead of removable media. This behavior change was particularly valuable on older versions of Windows, where removable drives were limited to a single partition.
What Is the Removable Bit?
The removable bit is a flag stored in a USB drive’s controller firmware that tells the operating system whether the device should be treated as removable media or a fixed disk. When set as removable, Windows historically restricted features such as multi-partition support.
By flipping this bit, some USB flash drives can appear to Windows as fixed disks, unlocking functionality that was otherwise unavailable on removable drives.
Why Flip the Removable Media Bit?
On Windows XP and Windows 7, removable USB drives were limited to a single visible partition. Flipping the removable bit was one of the only ways to enable multiple partitions on a USB flash drive.
Although Windows 8, 10, and 11 removed this limitation, flipping the removable bit can still be useful in specific scenarios where software or hardware expects a fixed disk.
When Is Flipping the Removable Bit Still Useful?
While no longer required for modern Windows partitioning, flipping the removable bit can still be helpful for:
- Embedded systems: Some embedded hardware only recognizes USB devices flagged as fixed disks.
- Legacy software: Older applications may require storage to appear as a local disk.
- Linux installations: Certain Linux tools and installers behave better with fixed disks.
- Windows To Go setups: Some portable Windows environments expect fixed disk media.
- Disk imaging tools: Certain backup or cloning software only targets fixed drives.
- Virtual machine storage: Some VM platforms treat removable media differently than fixed disks.
If you prefer a plug-and-play solution, you may also consider USB flash drives that ship preconfigured as fixed disks, such as this high speed SSD based USB flash drive.
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How to Use Lexar BootIt
Warning: This tool can permanently brick incompatible USB flash drives. If that's a concern, I wouldn't use it.
- Download the Lexar BootIt utility.
- Extract the ZIP archive and run BootIt.exe as administrator.
- Select your USB flash drive from the device list.
- Choose whether to format the drive or flip the removable bit.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for completion.
- Safely eject and reinsert the drive to verify the change.
Compatibility and Risks
Lexar BootIt was designed specifically for older Lexar USB flash drives, though it may work with some non Lexar drives using compatible controllers. However, using it on unsupported hardware carries high risk:
- Drive corruption: Unsupported controllers may become unusable.
- Permanent data loss: Always back up your files first.
- Hardware incompatibility: Many modern USB drives do not support this modification.
Alternatives to Lexar BootIt
If BootIt does not work with your device, these tools may help:
- Bootice: Advanced USB partitioning and boot sector management.
- ChipGenius: Identifies USB controller hardware to determine compatibility.
- ChipEasy: Another USB controller identification utility.
User Experiences
Many users report success when using Lexar BootIt with supported hardware:
"I needed my USB drive to appear as a local disk for an embedded project, and BootIt flipped the removable bit successfully. Backups are essential before trying it."
Troubleshooting Common Issues
USB drive not detected
Ensure the tool is run as administrator and reconnect the USB drive.
Drive appears corrupted
Use Windows Disk Management or CHKDSK to attempt recovery. Low-level formatting may help in some cases.
Errors or crashes
The drive may be incompatible. Try running the tool on an older Windows system if possible.
Lexar BootIt Specifications
- Developer: Janaki, Lexar Support Team
- File Size: 408 KB
- Supported OS: Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, 11
- License: Free
- Project Status: Discontinued
- Editor’s Rating: ★★★★☆
Download Lexar BootIt
WARNING: Use at your own risk. This tool was removed by the developer for unknown reasons, and its behavior on non Lexar devices is unpredictable.
Final Thoughts
The Lexar BootIt USB Format Tool remains a niche but valuable utility for users working with legacy systems, embedded hardware, or specialized workflows that require a USB flash drive to appear as a fixed disk.
While modern versions of Windows no longer require flipping the removable bit for partitioning, this tool still has relevance in specific technical scenarios. Users should proceed cautiously, back up all data, and only use it on compatible hardware.
For safer alternatives, consider tools like Bootice or purchasing a USB drive designed to function as a fixed disk out of the box.