Windows installation USB drives - Revision history

SCRIPTERBLOX: M-dashes make it look like ChatGPT, also reformulated the second part of the ===Usage=== section to not look like a guide

2026-05-13T13:19:51Z

M-dashes make it look like ChatGPT, also reformulated the second part of the ===Usage=== section to not look like a guide

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:19, 13 May 2026
Line 28:		Line 28:

	===Usage===		===Usage===
	~~Its unofficial nature's trust concerns aside,~~ Phison MPALL can brick the USB drive if GetInfo.exe's part data — should be included with MPALL's unofficial redistributions — doesn't match what's inputted into the low level formatting settings. It can also stall and fail for no apparent reason even if the user has followed instructions, which is sometimes recoverable by un-plugging and then re-plugging the drive and pressing the update button to refresh the drive list before trying again with the same settings.		Phison MPALL can brick the USB drive if GetInfo.exe's part data (which should be included with MPALL's unofficial redistributions) doesn't match what's inputted into the low level formatting settings. It can also stall and fail for no apparent reason even if the user has followed instructions, which is sometimes recoverable by un-plugging and then re-plugging the drive and pressing the update button to refresh the drive list before trying again with the same settings.

	Each attempt can take more than an hour and a half. Do not close MPALL or power off Windows (~~be sure the~~ Windows idle power settings ~~allow such a wait~~) during the low level formatting.		Each attempt can take more than an hour and a half. The user should not close MPALL or power off Windows (including preventing Windows idle power settings from shutting down on its own) during the low level formatting.

	[https://youtube.com/watch?v=VmyAHmCvILA&t=187 This YouTube video appears to be the best guide on how to use Phison MPALL.] Ignore their use of chipgenius and skip to 3 minutes and 7 seconds in, as it's been known for nearly 9 years that these are Phison drives so the included GetInfo.exe should be all that's needed to obtain the correct part number and USB type to input.		[https://youtube.com/watch?v=VmyAHmCvILA&t=187 This YouTube video appears to be the best guide on how to use Phison MPALL.] Ignore their use of chipgenius and skip to 3 minutes and 7 seconds in, as it's been known for nearly 9 years that these are Phison drives so the included GetInfo.exe should be all that's needed to obtain the correct part number and USB type to input.

Sojourna at 02:54, 21 March 2026

2026-03-21T02:54:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:54, 21 March 2026
Line 6:		Line 6:
	\|Description=		\|Description=
	\|InProduction=Yes		\|InProduction=Yes
	\|Logo=~~Windows1122h2~~.jpeg		\|Logo=Windows 11 22h2.jpeg
	\|ProductLine=Microsoft Windows		\|ProductLine=Microsoft Windows
	\|ReleaseYear=2015		\|ReleaseYear=2015

Sojourna at 02:20, 15 February 2026

2026-02-15T02:20:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:20, 15 February 2026
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	\|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-home/dg7gmgf0krt0		\|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-home/dg7gmgf0krt0
	}}		}}
	Since the release of [[Windows]] 10, '''[[Microsoft]]''' has sold USB drives with an installer preloaded.<ref>{{Cite web \|first=Anton ~~\|last=Shilov~~ \|title=Microsoft begins to sell Windows 10 on USB flash drives \|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|website=KitGuru \|date=5 Sep 2015 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906120608/http://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|archive-date=6 Sep 2015}}</ref> They are deeply write-protected, and have no official way to be formatted and reused for anything other than the manufacturing year's Windows installer, which inevitably become outdated.
			Since the release of [[Windows]] 10, '''[[Microsoft]]''' has sold USB drives with an installer preloaded.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Shilov \|first=Anton \|title=Microsoft begins to sell Windows 10 on USB flash drives \|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|website=KitGuru \|date=5 Sep 2015 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906120608/http://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|archive-date=6 Sep 2015}}</ref> They are deeply write-protected, and have no official way to be formatted and reused for anything other than the manufacturing year's Windows installer, which inevitably become outdated.

	==Controversy==		==Controversy==
	These drives are artificially unwritable, preventing expected reuse as USB flash drive storage. There is no indication on the '''Windows 11 22H2 USB drive box exterior''' that it is not re-writable.		These drives are artificially unwritable, preventing expected reuse as USB flash drive storage. There is no indication on the '''Windows 11 22H2 USB drive box exterior''' that it is not re-writable.

	Microsoft has sold millions of non-rewritable Windows USB drives, creating needless e-waste. {{Citation needed}}		Microsoft has sold millions of non-rewritable Windows USB drives, creating needless e-waste.{{Citation needed}}
	[[File:Diskpart.png\|thumb\|Normal tools like Windows command prompt diskpart can't remove the write protection and it highlights how the current read-only state is not under its control.]]		[[File:Diskpart.png\|thumb\|Normal tools like Windows command prompt diskpart can't remove the write protection and it highlights how the current read-only state is not under its control.]]
	Shortly after purchasing these drives, people turned to forums seeking help, unable to write to them no matter what they tried.<ref>{{Cite web		Shortly after purchasing these drives, people turned to forums seeking help, unable to write to them no matter what they tried.<ref>{{Cite web
	\|first=Keith ~~\|last=Weisshar~~ \|title=Windows 10 Retail USB Drive \|url=https://www.tenforums.com/installation-upgrade/14315-windows-10-retail-usb-drive.html \|website=Windows TenForums<!-- Do NOT insert spacing here --> \|date=8 Aug 2015 \|access-date=27 Mar 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522023250/https://www.tenforums.com/installation-upgrade/14315-windows-10-retail-usb-drive.html \|archive-date=22 May 2022}}</ref>		\|last=Weisshar \|first=Keith \|title=Windows 10 Retail USB Drive \|url=https://www.tenforums.com/installation-upgrade/14315-windows-10-retail-usb-drive.html \|website=Windows TenForums<!-- Do NOT insert spacing here --> \|date=8 Aug 2015 \|access-date=27 Mar 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522023250/https://www.tenforums.com/installation-upgrade/14315-windows-10-retail-usb-drive.html \|archive-date=22 May 2022}}</ref>

	==An untrustworthy solution==		==An untrustworthy solution==
	By late 2016, equally locked down {{Wplink\|Original equipment manufacturer\|OEM}} Windows recovery USB drives were noted to be using {{Wplink\|Phison}} controllers, which a proprietary program for Windows called Phison MPALL can low level format into a writable state.<ref>{{Cite web \|author=Jeff \|title=How to Disable the Write Protection on Dell Windows 10 USB Recovery Sticks - ROUND 4 \|url=http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html \|website=tech unboxed \|date=27 Sep 2016 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013173716/http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html \|archive-date=13 Oct 2016}}</ref> The same applied for the retail installer drives.<!-- (subject to change. An incompatibly new Phison part can be made and put in the drives or a different manufacturer’s drives can be used.) <= Hiding this garbled sentence for someone else to hammer out. - Sojourna -->		By late 2016, equally locked down {{Wplink\|Original equipment manufacturer\|OEM}} Windows recovery USB drives were noted to be using {{Wplink\|Phison}} controllers, which a proprietary program for Windows called Phison MPALL can low level format into a writable state.<ref>{{Cite web \|author=Jeff \|title=How to Disable the Write Protection on Dell Windows 10 USB Recovery Sticks - ROUND 4 \|url=http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html \|website=tech unboxed \|date=27 Sep 2016 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013173716/http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html \|archive-date=13 Oct 2016}}</ref> The same applied for the retail installer drives.<!-- (subject to change. An incompatibly new Phison part can be made and put in the drives or a different manufacturer’s drives can be used.) <= Hiding this garbled sentence for someone else to hammer out. -Sojourna -->

	Since '''Phison's website does not distribute nor mention the program at all''', there's no way to know for sure that an unofficially redistributed version doesn't have {{Wplink\|malware}} packed in or even if Phison made the software. It would be need to be used ''at the user's own risk'', preferably on a device with no sensitive data, and no passwords saved including Microsoft accounts (using workarounds to create a local account) and do another fresh install of Windows / wipe the main drive when finished with MPALL because some malware scan sites claim it installs a driver.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Malware analysis Phison_MPALL_v5.13.0C.rar \|url=https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5 \|website=Any Run \|date=22 Jan 2025 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708194646/https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5 \|archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>		Since '''Phison's website does not distribute nor mention the program at all''', there's no way to know for sure that an unofficially redistributed version doesn't have {{Wplink\|malware}} packed in or even if Phison made the software. It would be need to be used ''at the user's own risk'', preferably on a device with no sensitive data, and no passwords saved including Microsoft accounts (using workarounds to create a local account) and do another fresh install of Windows / wipe the main drive when finished with MPALL because some malware scan sites claim it installs a driver.<ref>{{Cite web \|author= \|title=Malware analysis Phison_MPALL_v5.13.0C.rar \|url=https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5 \|website=Any Run \|date=22 Jan 2025 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708194646/https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5 \|archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>

	===Usage===		===Usage===
	Its unofficial nature's trust concerns aside, Phison MPALL can brick the USB drive if GetInfo.exe's part data — should be included with MPALL's unofficial redistributions — doesn't match what's inputted into the low level formatting settings. It can also stall and fail for no apparent reason even if the user has followed instructions which is sometimes recoverable by un-plugging and then re-plugging the drive and pressing the update button to refresh the drive list before trying again with the same settings.		Its unofficial nature's trust concerns aside, Phison MPALL can brick the USB drive if GetInfo.exe's part data — should be included with MPALL's unofficial redistributions — doesn't match what's inputted into the low level formatting settings. It can also stall and fail for no apparent reason even if the user has followed instructions, which is sometimes recoverable by un-plugging and then re-plugging the drive and pressing the update button to refresh the drive list before trying again with the same settings.

	Each attempt can take more than an hour and a half. Do not close MPALL or power off Windows (be sure the Windows idle power settings allow such a wait) during the low level formatting.		Each attempt can take more than an hour and a half. Do not close MPALL or power off Windows (be sure the Windows idle power settings allow such a wait) during the low level formatting.

	[https://youtube.com/watch?v=VmyAHmCvILA&t=187 This YouTube video appears to be the best guide on how to use Phison MPALL.] Ignore their use of chipgenius and skip to 3 minutes and 7 seconds in, as it's been known for nearly 9 years that these are Phison drives so the included GetInfo.exe should be all ~~that’s~~ needed to obtain the correct part number and USB type to input.		[https://youtube.com/watch?v=VmyAHmCvILA&t=187 This YouTube video appears to be the best guide on how to use Phison MPALL.] Ignore their use of chipgenius and skip to 3 minutes and 7 seconds in, as it's been known for nearly 9 years that these are Phison drives so the included GetInfo.exe should be all that's needed to obtain the correct part number and USB type to input.

	==References==		==References==
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}

	[[Category:~~{{PAGENAME}}~~]]		[[Category:Microsoft Windows]]
	[[Category:Microsoft]]		[[Category:Microsoft]]

Bythmusters: Added Cargo template in place of Infobox, moved to Product

2026-01-29T18:59:17Z

Added Cargo template in place of Infobox, moved to Product

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:59, 29 January 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{ToneWarning}}		{{ToneWarning}}
	{{~~InfoboxProductLine~~		{{ProductCargo
	\| ~~Title~~ = ~~{{PAGENAME}}~~		\|ArticleType=Product
	\| ~~Release Year~~ = ~~2015~~		\|Category=Software, Hardware
	\| ~~Product Type~~ = ~~Hardware and software~~		\|Company=Microsoft
	\| ~~In Production~~ = Yes		\|Description=
	\| ~~Official~~ Website = https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-home/dg7gmgf0krt0		\|InProduction=Yes
	~~\| Logo =Windows1122h2.jpeg~~		\|Logo=Windows1122h2.jpeg
			\|ProductLine=Microsoft Windows
			\|ReleaseYear=2015
			\|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-home/dg7gmgf0krt0
	}}		}}

	Since the release of [[Windows]] 10, '''[[Microsoft]]''' has sold USB drives with an installer preloaded.<ref>{{Cite web \|first=Anton \|last=Shilov \|title=Microsoft begins to sell Windows 10 on USB flash drives \|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|website=KitGuru \|date=5 Sep 2015 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906120608/http://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|archive-date=6 Sep 2015}}</ref> They are deeply write-protected, and have no official way to be formatted and reused for anything other than the manufacturing year's Windows installer, which inevitably become outdated.		Since the release of [[Windows]] 10, '''[[Microsoft]]''' has sold USB drives with an installer preloaded.<ref>{{Cite web \|first=Anton \|last=Shilov \|title=Microsoft begins to sell Windows 10 on USB flash drives \|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|website=KitGuru \|date=5 Sep 2015 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906120608/http://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|archive-date=6 Sep 2015}}</ref> They are deeply write-protected, and have no official way to be formatted and reused for anything other than the manufacturing year's Windows installer, which inevitably become outdated.

Beanie Bo: Beanie Bo moved page Retail Windows USB drives to Windows installation USB drives: Specificity

2025-09-27T22:12:09Z

Beanie Bo moved page Retail Windows USB drives to Windows installation USB drives: Specificity

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:12, 27 September 2025
(No difference)

Raster: some tone & wording changes; added citationNeeded to statement on amount of USB drives sold as it's a factual one

2025-09-27T20:29:13Z

some tone & wording changes; added citationNeeded to statement on amount of USB drives sold as it's a factual one

Keith: added tone warning

2025-09-11T15:23:40Z

added tone warning

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:23, 11 September 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{ToneWarning}}
	{{InfoboxProductLine		{{InfoboxProductLine
	\| Title = {{PAGENAME}}		\| Title = {{PAGENAME}}

Sojourna: clean-up

2025-07-16T04:10:14Z

clean-up

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:10, 16 July 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{InfoboxProductLine		{{InfoboxProductLine
	\| Title = {{PAGENAME}}		\| Title = {{PAGENAME}}
	\| Release Year =2015		\| Release Year = 2015
	\| Product Type =Hardware and software		\| Product Type = Hardware and software
	\| In Production =Yes		\| In Production = Yes
	\| Official Website =https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-home/dg7gmgf0krt0		\| Official Website = https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-home/dg7gmgf0krt0
	\| Logo =Windows1122h2.jpeg		\| Logo =Windows1122h2.jpeg
	}}Since the release of [[Windows]] 10, '''[[Microsoft]]''' has sold ~~usb~~ drives with an installer preloaded.<ref>{{Cite web ~~\|last=Shilov~~ \|first=Anton \|~~date~~=~~5 Sep 2015~~ \|title=Microsoft begins to sell Windows 10 on USB flash drives \|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|url-status=live \|~~access~~-~~date~~=~~27 Mar 2025~~ \|~~website~~=~~KitGuru~~}}</ref> They are deeply write protected, and have no official way to be formatted and reused for anything other than the manufacturing ~~year’s~~ Windows installer. (The installers inevitably become outdated.)		}}

			Since the release of [[Windows]] 10, '''[[Microsoft]]''' has sold USB drives with an installer preloaded.<ref>{{Cite web \|first=Anton \|last=Shilov \|title=Microsoft begins to sell Windows 10 on USB flash drives \|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|website=KitGuru \|date=5 Sep 2015 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906120608/http://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|archive-date=6 Sep 2015}}</ref> They are deeply write-protected, and have no official way to be formatted and reused for anything other than the manufacturing year's Windows installer. (The installers inevitably become outdated.)

	==Controversy==		==Controversy==
	These drives are artificially unwritable, preventing expected reuse from a USB flash drive. There is no indication on the '''Windows 11 22H2 USB drive box exterior''' that it is not ~~rewritable~~.		These drives are artificially unwritable, preventing expected reuse from a USB flash drive. There is no indication on the '''Windows 11 22H2 USB drive box exterior''' that it is not re-writable.

	Microsoft has undoubtedly sold millions of non-rewritable Windows USB drives, creating needless e-waste.		Microsoft has undoubtedly sold millions of non-rewritable Windows USB drives, creating needless e-waste.
	[[File:Diskpart.png\|thumb\|Normal tools like Windows command prompt diskpart ~~can’t~~ remove the write protection and it highlights how the current read only state is not under its control]]		[[File:Diskpart.png\|thumb\|Normal tools like Windows command prompt diskpart can't remove the write protection and it highlights how the current read-only state is not under its control.]]
	Shortly after purchasing these drives, people turned to forums seeking help, unable to write to them no matter what they tried.<ref>{{Cite web ~~\|last=Weisshar~~ \|first=Keith \|~~date~~=~~8 Aug 2015~~ \|title=Windows 10 Retail USB Drive \|url=https://www.tenforums.com/installation-upgrade/14315-windows-10-retail-usb-drive.html \|~~url~~-~~status~~=~~live~~ \|access-date=27 Mar 2025 \|~~website~~=~~Windows Ten Forums~~}}</ref>		Shortly after purchasing these drives, people turned to forums seeking help, unable to write to them no matter what they tried.<ref>{{Cite web
			\|first=Keith \|last=Weisshar \|title=Windows 10 Retail USB Drive \|url=https://www.tenforums.com/installation-upgrade/14315-windows-10-retail-usb-drive.html \|website=Windows TenForums<!-- Do NOT insert spacing here --> \|date=8 Aug 2015 \|access-date=27 Mar 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522023250/https://www.tenforums.com/installation-upgrade/14315-windows-10-retail-usb-drive.html \|archive-date=22 May 2022}}</ref>

	==An untrustworthy solution==		==An untrustworthy solution==
			By late 2016, equally locked down {{Wplink\|Original equipment manufacturer\|OEM}} Windows recovery USB drives were noted to be using {{Wplink\|Phison}} controllers, which a proprietary program for Windows called Phison MPALL can low level format into a writable state.<ref>{{Cite web \|author=Jeff \|title=How to Disable the Write Protection on Dell Windows 10 USB Recovery Sticks - ROUND 4 \|url=http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html \|website=tech unboxed \|date=27 Sep 2016 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013173716/http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html \|archive-date=13 Oct 2016}}</ref> The same applied for the retail installer drives.<!-- (subject to change. An incompatibly new Phison part can be made and put in the drives or a different manufacturer’s drives can be used.) <= Hiding this garbled sentence for someone else to hammer out. - Sojourna -->

	~~By late 2016~~,<ref>~~http~~://~~www~~.~~techunboxed.com~~/~~2016~~/09/~~how~~-to-~~disable~~-~~write~~-~~protection~~-on-~~dell~~.~~html~~</ref> equally locked down oem windows recovery usb drives were noted to be using Phison controllers which a proprietary program for Windows called Phison MPALL can low level format into a writeable state. Same goes for the retail installer drives (subject to change. An incompatibly new Phison part can be made and put in the drives or a different manufacturer’s drives can be used.)		Since '''Phison's website does not distribute nor mention the program at all''', there's no way to know for sure that an unofficially redistributed version doesn't have {{Wplink\|malware}} packed in or even if Phison made the software. Use MPALL ''at your own risk'' on a device with no sensitive data, and no passwords saved including Microsoft accounts (fresh install with a local account workaround) and fresh install windows again / wipe the main drive when finished with MPALL because some malware scan sites claim it installs a driver.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Malware analysis Phison_MPALL_v5.13.0C.rar \|url=https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5 \|website=Any Run \|date=22 Jan 2025 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708194646/https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5 \|archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>

	~~Since~~ '''~~Phison’s website does not distribute nor mention the program at all'~~'' ~~there’s~~ no ~~way to know for sure that an unofficially redistributed version doesn’t have malware packed in or~~ even if ~~Phison made~~ the ~~software~~. ~~Try to be very careful using MPALL at your own risk on a device with no sensitive data,~~ and ~~no passwords saved including Microsoft accounts (fresh install with a local account workaround)~~ and ~~fresh install windows again / wipe~~ the ~~main~~ drive ~~when finished~~ with ~~MPALL because some malware scan sites claim it installs a driver~~.~~<ref>https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5</ref>~~		===Usage===
			Its unofficial nature's trust concerns aside, Phison MPALL can brick the USB drive if GetInfo.exe's part data — should be included with MPALL's unofficial redistributions — doesn't match what's inputted into the low level formatting settings. It can also stall and fail for no apparent reason even if the user has followed instructions. (Sometimes recoverable by un-plugging and then re-plugging the drive and pressing the update button to refresh the drive list before trying again with the same settings.)

	It’s unofficial nature’s trust concerns aside Phison MPALL can brick the usb drive if GetInfo.exe’s (should be included with MPALL’s unofficial redistributions) part data doesn’t match what’s inputted into the low level formatting settings but it can also stall and fail for no apparent reason of user error (sometimes recoverable by un and re plugging the drive and pressing the update button to refresh the drive list before trying again with the same settings.) Each attempt can take more than an hour and a half. ~~Don’t~~ close MPALL or power off ~~windows~~ (be sure the ~~windows~~ idle power settings allow such a wait) during the low level formatting.		Each attempt can take more than an hour and a half. Do not close MPALL or power off Windows (be sure the Windows idle power settings allow such a wait) during the low level formatting.

	[https://youtube.com/watch?v=VmyAHmCvILA&t=187 This YouTube video appears to be the best guide on how to use Phison MPALL.] Ignore their use of chipgenius ~~and~~ skip to 3 minutes and 7 seconds in as ~~it’s~~ been known for nearly 9 years that these are Phison drives so the included GetInfo.exe should be all that’s needed to ~~get~~ the correct part number and ~~usb~~ type to input.		[https://youtube.com/watch?v=VmyAHmCvILA&t=187 This YouTube video appears to be the best guide on how to use Phison MPALL.] Ignore their use of chipgenius andd skip to 3 minutes and 7 seconds in, as it's been known for nearly 9 years that these are Phison drives so the included GetInfo.exe should be all that’s needed to obtain the correct part number and USB type to input.

	==References==		==References==
	{{~~reflist~~}}		{{Reflist}}

	[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]		[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
	[[Category:Microsoft]]		[[Category:Microsoft]]

Sojourna: Sojourna moved page Retail Windows usb drives to Retail Windows USB drives: Misspelled title: Is an abbreviation

2025-07-16T03:04:52Z

Sojourna moved page Retail Windows usb drives to Retail Windows USB drives: Misspelled title: Is an abbreviation

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:04, 16 July 2025
(No difference)

TasmanianRex: /* An untrustworthy solution */

2025-03-31T08:06:42Z

An untrustworthy solution

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:06, 31 March 2025
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	==An untrustworthy solution==		==An untrustworthy solution==

	By late 2016 <ref>http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html</ref> equally locked down oem windows recovery usb drives were noted to be using Phison controllers which a proprietary program for Windows called Phison MPALL can low level format into a writeable state. Same goes for the retail installer drives (subject to change. An incompatibly new Phison part can be made and put in the drives or a different manufacturer’s drives can be used.)		By late 2016,<ref>http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html</ref> equally locked down oem windows recovery usb drives were noted to be using Phison controllers which a proprietary program for Windows called Phison MPALL can low level format into a writeable state. Same goes for the retail installer drives (subject to change. An incompatibly new Phison part can be made and put in the drives or a different manufacturer’s drives can be used.)

	Since '''Phison’s website does not distribute nor mention the program at all''' there’s no way to know for sure that an unofficially redistributed version doesn’t have malware packed in or even if Phison made the software. Try to be very careful using MPALL at your own risk on a device with no sensitive data, and no passwords saved including Microsoft accounts (fresh install with a local account workaround) and fresh install windows again / wipe the main drive when finished with MPALL because some malware scan sites claim it installs a driver <ref>https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5</ref>		Since '''Phison’s website does not distribute nor mention the program at all''' there’s no way to know for sure that an unofficially redistributed version doesn’t have malware packed in or even if Phison made the software. Try to be very careful using MPALL at your own risk on a device with no sensitive data, and no passwords saved including Microsoft accounts (fresh install with a local account workaround) and fresh install windows again / wipe the main drive when finished with MPALL because some malware scan sites claim it installs a driver.<ref>https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5</ref>

	It’s unofficial nature’s trust concerns aside Phison MPALL can brick the usb drive if GetInfo.exe’s (should be included with MPALL’s unofficial redistributions) part data doesn’t match what’s inputted into the low level formatting settings but it can also stall and fail for no apparent reason of user error (sometimes recoverable by un and re plugging the drive and pressing the update button to refresh the drive list before trying again with the same settings.) Each attempt can take more than an hour and a half. Don’t close MPALL or power off windows (be sure the windows idle power settings allow such a wait) during the low level formatting.		It’s unofficial nature’s trust concerns aside Phison MPALL can brick the usb drive if GetInfo.exe’s (should be included with MPALL’s unofficial redistributions) part data doesn’t match what’s inputted into the low level formatting settings but it can also stall and fail for no apparent reason of user error (sometimes recoverable by un and re plugging the drive and pressing the update button to refresh the drive list before trying again with the same settings.) Each attempt can take more than an hour and a half. Don’t close MPALL or power off windows (be sure the windows idle power settings allow such a wait) during the low level formatting.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:29, 27 September 2025
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	}}		}}

	Since the release of [[Windows]] 10, '''[[Microsoft]]''' has sold USB drives with an installer preloaded.<ref>{{Cite web \|first=Anton \|last=Shilov \|title=Microsoft begins to sell Windows 10 on USB flash drives \|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|website=KitGuru \|date=5 Sep 2015 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906120608/http://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|archive-date=6 Sep 2015}}</ref> They are deeply write-protected, and have no official way to be formatted and reused for anything other than the manufacturing year's Windows installer~~. (The installers~~ inevitably become outdated.)		Since the release of [[Windows]] 10, '''[[Microsoft]]''' has sold USB drives with an installer preloaded.<ref>{{Cite web \|first=Anton \|last=Shilov \|title=Microsoft begins to sell Windows 10 on USB flash drives \|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|website=KitGuru \|date=5 Sep 2015 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906120608/http://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-begins-to-sell-windows-10-on-usb-flash-drives/ \|archive-date=6 Sep 2015}}</ref> They are deeply write-protected, and have no official way to be formatted and reused for anything other than the manufacturing year's Windows installer, which inevitably become outdated.

	==Controversy==		==Controversy==
	These drives are artificially unwritable, preventing expected reuse ~~from a~~ USB flash drive. There is no indication on the '''Windows 11 22H2 USB drive box exterior''' that it is not re-writable.		These drives are artificially unwritable, preventing expected reuse as USB flash drive storage. There is no indication on the '''Windows 11 22H2 USB drive box exterior''' that it is not re-writable.

	Microsoft has ~~undoubtedly~~ sold millions of non-rewritable Windows USB drives, creating needless e-waste.		Microsoft has sold millions of non-rewritable Windows USB drives, creating needless e-waste. {{Citation needed}}
	[[File:Diskpart.png\|thumb\|Normal tools like Windows command prompt diskpart can't remove the write protection and it highlights how the current read-only state is not under its control.]]		[[File:Diskpart.png\|thumb\|Normal tools like Windows command prompt diskpart can't remove the write protection and it highlights how the current read-only state is not under its control.]]
	Shortly after purchasing these drives, people turned to forums seeking help, unable to write to them no matter what they tried.<ref>{{Cite web		Shortly after purchasing these drives, people turned to forums seeking help, unable to write to them no matter what they tried.<ref>{{Cite web
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	By late 2016, equally locked down {{Wplink\|Original equipment manufacturer\|OEM}} Windows recovery USB drives were noted to be using {{Wplink\|Phison}} controllers, which a proprietary program for Windows called Phison MPALL can low level format into a writable state.<ref>{{Cite web \|author=Jeff \|title=How to Disable the Write Protection on Dell Windows 10 USB Recovery Sticks - ROUND 4 \|url=http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html \|website=tech unboxed \|date=27 Sep 2016 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013173716/http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html \|archive-date=13 Oct 2016}}</ref> The same applied for the retail installer drives.<!-- (subject to change. An incompatibly new Phison part can be made and put in the drives or a different manufacturer’s drives can be used.) <= Hiding this garbled sentence for someone else to hammer out. - Sojourna -->		By late 2016, equally locked down {{Wplink\|Original equipment manufacturer\|OEM}} Windows recovery USB drives were noted to be using {{Wplink\|Phison}} controllers, which a proprietary program for Windows called Phison MPALL can low level format into a writable state.<ref>{{Cite web \|author=Jeff \|title=How to Disable the Write Protection on Dell Windows 10 USB Recovery Sticks - ROUND 4 \|url=http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html \|website=tech unboxed \|date=27 Sep 2016 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013173716/http://www.techunboxed.com/2016/09/how-to-disable-write-protection-on-dell.html \|archive-date=13 Oct 2016}}</ref> The same applied for the retail installer drives.<!-- (subject to change. An incompatibly new Phison part can be made and put in the drives or a different manufacturer’s drives can be used.) <= Hiding this garbled sentence for someone else to hammer out. - Sojourna -->

	Since '''Phison's website does not distribute nor mention the program at all''', there's no way to know for sure that an unofficially redistributed version doesn't have {{Wplink\|malware}} packed in or even if Phison made the software. ~~Use MPALL~~ ''at ~~your~~ own risk'' on a device with no sensitive data, and no passwords saved including Microsoft accounts (~~fresh install with~~ a local account ~~workaround~~) and fresh install ~~windows again~~ / wipe the main drive when finished with MPALL because some malware scan sites claim it installs a driver.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Malware analysis Phison_MPALL_v5.13.0C.rar \|url=https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5 \|website=Any Run \|date=22 Jan 2025 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708194646/https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5 \|archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>		Since '''Phison's website does not distribute nor mention the program at all''', there's no way to know for sure that an unofficially redistributed version doesn't have {{Wplink\|malware}} packed in or even if Phison made the software. It would be need to be used ''at the user's own risk'', preferably on a device with no sensitive data, and no passwords saved including Microsoft accounts (using workarounds to create a local account) and do another fresh install of Windows / wipe the main drive when finished with MPALL because some malware scan sites claim it installs a driver.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Malware analysis Phison_MPALL_v5.13.0C.rar \|url=https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5 \|website=Any Run \|date=22 Jan 2025 \|access-date=15 Jul 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708194646/https://any.run/report/9670e21a30a78af57e5c4b4a702da1e8e8bf587cbc66a837b9e172f3b1a1182b/3fee59f4-c6ab-4cd1-88cc-bf433869f4b5 \|archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>

	===Usage===		===Usage===
	Its unofficial nature's trust concerns aside, Phison MPALL can brick the USB drive if GetInfo.exe's part data — should be included with MPALL's unofficial redistributions — doesn't match what's inputted into the low level formatting settings. It can also stall and fail for no apparent reason even if the user has followed instructions~~. (Sometimes~~ recoverable by un-plugging and then re-plugging the drive and pressing the update button to refresh the drive list before trying again with the same settings.)		Its unofficial nature's trust concerns aside, Phison MPALL can brick the USB drive if GetInfo.exe's part data — should be included with MPALL's unofficial redistributions — doesn't match what's inputted into the low level formatting settings. It can also stall and fail for no apparent reason even if the user has followed instructions which is sometimes recoverable by un-plugging and then re-plugging the drive and pressing the update button to refresh the drive list before trying again with the same settings.

	Each attempt can take more than an hour and a half. Do not close MPALL or power off Windows (be sure the Windows idle power settings allow such a wait) during the low level formatting.		Each attempt can take more than an hour and a half. Do not close MPALL or power off Windows (be sure the Windows idle power settings allow such a wait) during the low level formatting.

	[https://youtube.com/watch?v=VmyAHmCvILA&t=187 This YouTube video appears to be the best guide on how to use Phison MPALL.] Ignore their use of chipgenius ~~andd~~ skip to 3 minutes and 7 seconds in, as it's been known for nearly 9 years that these are Phison drives so the included GetInfo.exe should be all that’s needed to obtain the correct part number and USB type to input.		[https://youtube.com/watch?v=VmyAHmCvILA&t=187 This YouTube video appears to be the best guide on how to use Phison MPALL.] Ignore their use of chipgenius and skip to 3 minutes and 7 seconds in, as it's been known for nearly 9 years that these are Phison drives so the included GetInfo.exe should be all that’s needed to obtain the correct part number and USB type to input.

	==References==		==References==