Inf - Cfadisk
By using the Hitachi Microdrive Filter (represented by cfadisk.sys and its configuration file cfadisk.inf ), you can override this behavior. The driver acts as a filter between the hardware and the OS, reporting the device as a fixed "Local Disk." Why Use the Cfadisk Filter?
: This is a software-level filter. If you plug the USB drive into a different computer that doesn't have the Hitachi filter installed, it will appear as a normal removable drive again.
Whether you are building a multiboot USB or trying to breathe life into an old Windows XP netbook, the cfadisk.inf hack remains one of the most effective "dirty tricks" in the Windows power-user handbook. Cfadisk Inf
While modern versions of Windows (Windows 10 version 1703 and later) have largely solved the problem of multi-partitioning on USB drives, the cfadisk.inf method remains a vital tool for older systems or specific legacy hardware configurations. What is Cfadisk.inf?
To make the driver work with your specific USB drive, you must manually edit the .inf file to include your device’s unique ID. : Open Device Manager . By using the Hitachi Microdrive Filter (represented by
Choose and then "Let me pick from a list."
At its heart, cfadisk.inf is a driver setup information file. Most USB flash drives have a "removable media bit" (RMB) set in their firmware. This bit tells Windows that the device is a removable thumb drive, which historically limited the OS to seeing only one partition and restricted certain disk management operations. If you plug the USB drive into a
: Windows typically doesn't provide a Recycle Bin for removable drives. Once recognized as a local disk, the drive gains full Recycle Bin functionality. How to Configure Cfadisk.inf
: Some software installers refuse to run from "removable" media. Forcing a local disk status bypasses these checks.
