How to format a USB flash drive on Windows 10

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You need to format your flash drive if it’s not working properly, or if you want it to be used on multiple devices. Formatting the drive will erase everything on the USB flash drive permanently, including any files you may have moved onto the flash drive from your computer. The formatting itself takes just a few seconds, but be sure to back up everything on your USB flash drive before you proceed.

Formatting a USB flash drive (or SD card, or any other external storage) under Windows 10 is pretty straightforward, but it involves a few steps. This brief will walk you through the process of formatting a USB drive in Windows 10.

Which file system to choose when formatting a USB drive? NTFS, exFAT, or FAT32

The choice of file system for your USB flash drive depends on your intended use for the drive.

  1. NTFS (New Technology File System): This file system is used by Windows and is best suited for larger USB drives. NTFS supports larger file sizes, has built-in security features, and can be used to store files larger than 4GB. However, some older devices may not be able to read NTFS-formatted drives.
  2. exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table): This file system is a newer version of FAT32, and is best for use with devices that support large files but are not compatible with NTFS. exFAT supports larger file sizes than FAT32, but has limited security features.
  3. FAT32 (File Allocation Table): This file system is the oldest and most compatible option. It is widely supported by different devices and is best suited for smaller USB drives or for devices that don’t support NTFS or exFAT. FAT32 has a file size limit of 4GB and does not have built-in security features.

exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table) is the best file system for a USB flash drive that needs to be used on both Windows and Mac operating systems. exFAT is compatible with both Windows and Mac, and it supports larger file sizes compared to FAT32. It allows you to store files larger than 4GB, and it has a limited security feature, which makes it suitable for transferring files between different operating systems.

Format USB flash drive Using File Explorer:

  1. Connect the USB flash drive to your computer.
  2. Open File Explorer and find the drive in the list of devices and drives.
  3. Right-click on the drive and select “Format”.

    FORMAT USB FLASH DRIVE FROM FILE EXPLORER
  4. In the Format pop-up window, select the file system (NTFS, exFAT, or FAT32) and choose the allocation size.
    NTFS, exFAT, or FAT32
  5. Click “Start” and wait for the formatting process to finish.

Format USB flash drive Using Disk Management:

FORMAT USB FLASH DRIVE FROM DISK MANAGEMENT
  1. Connect the USB flash drive to your computer.
  2. Open Disk Management by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Disk Management.
  3. Find the drive in the list of drives and right-click on it.
  4. Select “Format”.
  5. In the Format pop-up window, select the file system (NTFS, exFAT, or FAT32) and choose the allocation size.
  6. Click “OK” and wait for the formatting process to finish.

Some thoughts

USB flash drives are really handy and are used in almost all computer systems, but it is important to keep your flash drive healthy by giving it a proper format. There are several reasons for formatting your flash drive on Windows 10, and this blog will go into detail about why you should do so. To start off, a USB flash drive is a great way to quickly transfer files from one computer to another, but if you don’t format your drive regularly, the file organization may become disorganized or deleted files may still be accessible on your drive.

This can be harmful to you if you are sharing files with other people, as they might accidentally delete or alter important files that they shouldn’t be accessing. A regular format can also prevent malware from transferring onto your flash drive.

Malware is a nasty name for unwanted programs that can wreak havoc on your computer’s functions and can even steal information from your computer without you knowing it. If you have an infected USB stick that isn’t formatted properly, it won’t stop the malware from spreading to other computers you may use it with.

Keeping your USB stick healthy also helps with security measures, as many organizations require employees to store confidential information on their own flash drives.

Ultimately, formatting is a useful tool—it can solve issues with your flash drive, wipe out sensitive data, and give you all new space to work with. Formatting isn’t complicated to do yourself, either. You’ll have four main options to choose from when formatting on Windows 10. With these at your disposal, you can format your storage device in no time.

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