Why does some USB jumpdrives show as HD's VS. Removeable Storage?

[Bhanshei]

Hello all SME's!!
I'm having trouble trying to figure out why some USB jump drives (thumb drives) show up under "Hard Disk Drives" and others show up under "Devices With Removeable Storage". I'm using Windows XP.

Any information will be very helpful!!!
Thanks in Advance!!!

 

[Matthias99]

I think it depends on how the USB device itself is programmed. If it says it's an 'external hard drive', it will show up as a hard drive. If it says it's just a 'generic USB storage device', it shows up like that. It shouldn't make a difference as to how it functions.

 

[Bhanshei]

Good point I'll check the verbage! The reason its important is I'm encrypting my laptop and if it shows up under Removeable Storage..the encryption will be forced down to the drive (asking to format the usb drive), however, if it shows up as an addational HD it won't.