SanDisk USB Flash Drive with Secure Access

I recently purchased a SanDisk USB drive with Secure Access. According to the package, it is SUPPOSED to be compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 (Mac 10.5 too). Here's the problem: I opened the User Guide only to find out that it does NOT support Windows *, which is what I am using. Rather than going through the same old Customer Support Dance, is it possible to reformat the USB drive so it will work with Windows 8? If so, how do I do that? And if not, what other options do I have? Every time I try to remove the drive from the USB port, I get an error message, telling me to reinsert the drive to "protect my data." Had I known this was going to an issue, I would never have bought the thing!

 

I don't know about the user guide. And if the usb drive is not defective, it will work with windows8. Could you copy files, on and off the usb drive?

 

Yes, I can copy files to the drive, but I keep getting that dumb error message when I try to remove irt from the USB port. I tried contacting SanDisk directly, but have not gotten a response as of yet.

 

I recommend the following.
(1) format your sandisk USB drive, (after copying the data it has if that is important) before using it again.
(2) see if a different USB drive ends up with the same warning while being ejected.

 

All my other USB drives work okay. Now, since my USB drive is 16GB, I should reformat to the FAT32 file system, correct?

Finally heard back from SanDisk. They sent me a very long reply, instructing me how to use Secure Access, why I should use it, what other products they offer, etc., etc., etc. Basically trying to sell me something. And I thought learning how to use Windows 8 after upgrading from Windows XP was a pain in the butt! I picked up a copy of Windows 8 For Dummies, but it just confused me even MORE! I'm still learning how to use some features, but have figured out most of it. Having forums like this have been a great help!

 

I think you wouldn't want to use secure access, so get rid of it. Format to the FAT 32 file system, and I think your USB stick will be fine. And in case you want to use secure access, download it later or save a copy. Since, the other USB sticks work ok, there surely ain't a problem with your PC. And, because your USB stick is functional, it's all good. It's some software issue.