Problem with the "Mass Storage" upload method from the Arduino IDE to a Nucleo board

[6v6gt-duino]

I'm using the latest version of the Arduino IDE 2.3.6 under Windows 11.
I am also using 2.11.0 of the STM32 MCU Boards package for Arduino.
I have a Nucleo 64 board F103RB

If I attempt to upload code from the Arduino IDE with the default "Mass Storage" upload method, I get a message "Upload complete on NODE_F103RB ( =)", however, no code is actually uploaded. That is, the upload has failed silently.

If, however, I install the Cube Programmer V2.21.0 and select the CubeProgrammer(SWD) upload method in the Arduino IDE, then it all works.

If I use just the Cube IDE 1.19.0, that is without the Arduino IDE, I can also successfully load code to the Nucleo board.

I can, of course, open a formal issue, but would like first to hear if there could be a simple explanation which I may have missed,

EDIT 1

I have checked the contents of the virtual disk that the Nucleo presents to the PC and there are only 2 files on it, neither of which are related to the failed upload attempt.

The silent failure with "Mass Storage" upload method looks like this on the console:

Using library SrcWrapper at version 1.0.1 in folder: C:\Users\6v6gt\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\STMicroelectronics\hardware\stm32\2.11.0\libraries\SrcWrapper 
Using library USBDevice at version 1.0.0 in folder: C:\Users\6v6gt\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\STMicroelectronics\hardware\stm32\2.11.0\libraries\USBDevice 
"C:\\Users\\6v6gt\\AppData\\Local\\Arduino15\\packages\\STMicroelectronics\\tools\\xpack-arm-none-eabi-gcc\\14.2.1-1.1/bin/arm-none-eabi-size" -A "C:\\Users\\6v6gt\\AppData\\Local\\arduino\\sketches\\20692D3B8705A232B9C125467CCF1873/Blink.ino.elf"
Sketch uses 23792 bytes (18%) of program storage space. Maximum is 131072 bytes.
Global variables use 4388 bytes (21%) of dynamic memory, leaving 16092 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 20480 bytes.
Upload complete on NODE_F103RB ( =)

EDIT 2

For comparison, this is the console output when there is a successful upload using the CubeProgrammer(SWD) upload method:

Using library SrcWrapper at version 1.0.1 in folder: C:\Users\6v6gt\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\STMicroelectronics\hardware\stm32\2.11.0\libraries\SrcWrapper 
Using library USBDevice at version 1.0.0 in folder: C:\Users\6v6gt\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\STMicroelectronics\hardware\stm32\2.11.0\libraries\USBDevice 
"C:\\Users\\6v6gt\\AppData\\Local\\Arduino15\\packages\\STMicroelectronics\\tools\\xpack-arm-none-eabi-gcc\\14.2.1-1.1/bin/arm-none-eabi-size" -A "C:\\Users\\6v6gt\\AppData\\Local\\arduino\\sketches\\715728751AD771EBA2EFF48C7762D1FA/Blink.ino.elf"
Sketch uses 23796 bytes (18%) of program storage space. Maximum is 131072 bytes.
Global variables use 4388 bytes (21%) of dynamic memory, leaving 16092 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 20480 bytes.
Selected interface: swd
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
                       STM32CubeProgrammer v2.21.0                  
      -------------------------------------------------------------------

ST-LINK SN  : 0669FF535349836687113146
ST-LINK FW  : V2J46M33
Board       : NUCLEO-F103RB
Voltage     : 3.25V
SWD freq    : 4000 KHz
Connect mode: Under Reset
Reset mode  : Hardware reset
Device ID   : 0x410
Revision ID : Rev X
Device name : STM32F101/F102/F103 Medium-density
Flash size  : 128 KBytes
Device type : MCU
Device CPU  : Cortex-M3
BL Version  : --



Opening and parsing file: Blink.ino.bin


Memory Programming ...
  File          : Blink.ino.bin
  Size          : 23.54 KB 
  Address       : 0x08000000


Erasing memory corresponding to segment 0:
Erasing internal memory sectors [0 23]
Download in Progress:


File download complete
Time elapsed during download operation: 00:00:01.545

RUNNING Program ... 
  Address:      : 0x8000000
Application is running, Please Hold on...
Start operation achieved successfully

EDIT 3

There is also some discussion of this issue of the Arduino Forum which may add more information:
https://forum.arduino.cc/t/i-got-issue-uploading-blink-sketch-to-stm32-nucleo-board/1414194

[fpistm]

Hi @6v6gt-duino
I investigate the issue.
The mass storage upload uses a batch script to found the mass storage letter.
To do this it uses the WMIC command but it seems that this feature is no more enabled per default on Windows11.
You have to enable it.
Windows system -> Optional Features -> add feature -> "wmic"
See: stm32duino/Arduino_Tools#110

[fpistm]

I will update the batch script to handle this case.
Since WMIC is deprecated:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/wmi-command-line-wmic-utility-deprecation-next-steps/4039242

[fpistm]

I've opened an issue to track this:
stm32duino/Arduino_Tools#109
and the related fix:
stm32duino/Arduino_Tools#110

Any feedback are welcome.

[6v6gt-duino]

Many thanks for your prompt response.

Unfortunately, my attempts to activate the "wmic" feature in Windows 11 were unsuccessful and the installation process just hung so I can't test it.

What you have said about the drive letter for the mass storage device is for me a very likely explanation after comparing the response I got back from the upload process with that of someone who could successfully upload code via the mass storage method.

As soon as this patch appears in a form which is easily downloadable, I'll give it a try. In the meantime I have the work around of using the SWD method.