This is normal behavior. Windows does not natively recognize Mac file systems like HFS+ or APFS. When you plug in a Mac-formatted drive, Windows only sees an unknown partition and prompts you to format it. You should never format it when Windows asks , as that would erase all your Mac data. Simply cancel the prompt and use TransMac to access the drive.
Type list disk to display all connected storage media. Identify the number corresponding to your USB flash drive by looking at the storage capacity.
Before trying complex fixes, ensure TransMac has the necessary system privileges. Close TransMac. Right-click the on your desktop. Select "Run as administrator" . Try to format or burn the image again. 2. Force Clear Drive via Windows Diskpart (Recommended)
Press Win + R , type cmd , and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated command prompt. Launch the utility by typing: diskpart Use code with caution. View your connected storage devices: list disk Use code with caution. transmac drive has been locked by another program hot
Windows is designed to automatically mount and index any recognized storage device. Even if the drive is unformatted or uses a Mac file system, several background processes might be "touching" it: File Explorer:
Identify your USB drive number based on its size (e.g., Disk 1 or Disk 2).
: Security software often scans newly inserted USB drives immediately, locking them to check for threats. This is normal behavior
Type clean and hit Enter. This removes all partitions and "unlocks" the drive.
Whether the USB drive is recognized in standard Windows .
Open the , type cmd , right-click it, and Run as Administrator . Type diskpart and press Enter. You should never format it when Windows asks
If the drive remains locked, use the Windows tool to wipe it clean before trying again in TransMac.
Type clean and press Enter. This wipes all partition data and locks.
: Windows may be trying to index the drive for search.
to strip the drive of its identity, you usually win that war and can proceed with your image burning. diskpart commands
For power users, finding exactly which program locks the drive is best.