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This Device Cannot be Used Error in ReadyBoost: 3 Quick Fixes
You don’t need ReadyBoost if the system is installed on an SSD
3 min. read
Published onJuly 2, 2024
published onJuly 2, 2024
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Running into the ReadyBoostThis device cannot be usederror can appear if your flash drive is not compatible with this feature or it’s corrupted. The error will also show up if your system is installed on an SSD. In this case, ReadyBoost will not make any difference. Also, your flash drive needs to have more than 2GB of storage space.
What do I do ifThis device cannot be usedfor ReadyBoost?
1. Format the flash drive to NTFS
Formatting your flash drive to NTFS may resolve compatibility issues with ReadyBoost. This file system supports larger cache sizes, which can improve performance.
2. Delete external drive folders from Registry
Removing these registry keys can allow ReadyBoost to reappear and function properly, bypassing any group policy restrictions that may be in place.
3. Ensure USB ports and BIOS settings are correct
Ensuring your USB ports are enabled and functioning properly can help overcome ReadyBoost issues related to port performance.
If you still get the This device cannot be used for ReadyBoost message, you either have an SSD, or the USB drive is corrupted or malfunctioning. If the drive is not working even after formatting it to NTFS, try another drive. If your OS is using a FAT32 file system, you will need to format the flash drive to FAT32 instead, but you will be limited to 4GB of storage space.
Also, if you have more than 8GB of RAM, even if you have the system installed on a HDD, using ReadyBoost will not make any difference.
That’s it! We hope that you can now boost your booting speed by using ReadyBoost using your flash drive or SD card. For more information, here’s our guide onhow to use ReadyBoost on Windows 10.
Also, if theReadyBoost tab is missing on Windows 11, click the highlighted guide to learn how to fix it.
If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to use the comments section below and let us know.
More about the topics:USB flash drive,Windows
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
