Recently, the widespread use of televisions with the ability to play media files from USB drives has led to the fact that the process of downloading the next movie “to a flash drive for a TV” has become as commonplace as switching terrestrial TV channels on it.
The speed of domestic Internet access has become such that any user can afford to download overnight or even in a couple of hours a large file with a movie in the highest quality, as long as it can be saved MKV format. There is no need to talk about the cost of even fairly capacious flash drives; they have become more than affordable.
However, one important problem arises: files larger than 4 gigabytes cannot be written to flash drives, since they are usually formatted in FAT32 format. The solution to the issue is to repartition the drive into exFAT or NTFS format. However, it is possible to write large files to a flash drive in exFAT format, but, unfortunately, not all TV models are able to “see” it. Another problem with NTFS: in order to partition a flash drive in this format, you must first open access to it through the disk device settings.
After this, the OS will give you the opportunity to format the flash drive to NTFS. Then it will be possible to record a file of any size (permissible by the storage capacity) on it, and your TV will probably reproduce the recorded movie in excellent quality without any problems.
However, there is one big pitfall in this decision. The fact is that the controller in any NAND flash drive provides not only the process of read/write operations, but also prevents the best uniform wear of NAND cells. This is implemented through the block organization of pages. For each block there is a counter, stored either in the block itself in service data, or in a table in separate blocks with service data. The translation table specifies the order in which blocks are used to implement the LBA range in which the user creates a partition and also stores his files.
During a write operation, a large block is taken into the controller buffer, changes are made to it, after which it is completely rewritten back, sometimes even to a new address and registered in the translation table.
So, modifying a 4 MB block in a drive even by 1 byte, the entire block is still overwritten. And, if in the case of markup in FAT(32) an entry is made to the directory, file data and information are written to both copies of the FAT table (for exFAT there is also an auxiliary bitmap structure), then in the case of NTFS an entry is made to the MFT itself (Main file table), index entry, BitMap, LogFile, and so on... In general, the number of operations increases several times.
Thus, the more small files are written and rewritten to a flash drive with the NTFS system, the more it wears out, since, as you know, its resource directly depends on the number of write/read cycles.
You can imagine how easily and quickly you can destroy a flash drive installed in a router with a 24/7 torrent file downloading utility. For these purposes, it is better to partition the drive in exFAT, and on TV watch “small” movies from drives partitioned in FAT32 or “large” ones from a gadget on NTFS.
And what else is very important! Never remove a USB flash drive from the port if it has not yet completed the read/write operation, even if caching is disabled on your system, which allows you to remove USB drives without first disconnecting them through the service. safe removal. If at this moment the process of updating service tables takes place, you risk turning the drive into a piece of dead iron and plastic.
Ivan Kovalev
A USB flash drive, much more often called simply a flash drive, is a very convenient and currently popular way to store and transfer data. As a rule, flash drives sold in stores are formatted in the FAT32 file system. The explanation for this is simple: all operating systems support FAT32. If for some reason you need to format the flash drive again, you can decide for yourself what format to format the flash drive in: ext4, FAT32 or NTFS. In this review, we'll look at the pros and cons of each file system.
Ext4
This format is not supported by Windows, so you should only use ext4 if your computer is running Linux and you do not need to transfer data to Windows computers. In my opinion, the coincidence of these two conditions does not happen too often.
FAT32
The advantages of FAT32 include not only compatibility with all operating systems, but also high data transfer speed for relatively little large files. However, this file system does not work with files larger than 4Gb and loses its performance with high file fragmentation, as well as with a large number of files in the directory. Another limitation: a FAT32 directory cannot contain more than 65,534 files (although how often do you have to deal with that many files?). In general, if you are in doubt about what format to format the flash drive in, choose FAT32.
NTFS
The NTFS file system provides fairly high performance when working with both large and small files, however, its average data transfer speed is lower than that of FAT32. The main advantage of NTFS is the high reliability of data storage against failures. Unfortunately, this system is not supported by Windows95, Windows98 and WindowsME.
Most of computer users They identify the process of formatting flash drives only with deleting data from digital media. In fact, this is not the only purpose of this operation.
Formatting a flash card is similar to formatting a hard drive. The same formatting options are available. Which people often don't pay much attention to. But the correct selection and configuration of these parameters during formatting may subsequently affect the operation of your flash card. The instructions and information in this article will help you format your flash drive correctly.
Formatting - what is it?
Formatting is nothing more than the process of processing a digital storage device. The main task of this process is to work with the structure of the drive, streamline it or completely change it. All digital storage media can be formatted:
- Winchesters;
- USB flash cards;
- SD memory cards.
Before starting the formatting process, remember that after this action, all data on the drive will be erased. Recovering lost data will be problematic and not always possible. But this process also has positive sides; during formatting, the system can detect and correct damaged parts of the structure.
How to format a flash card in Windows 7/8/10
I hope from this article you understand which file system for a flash drive is right for you.
The process of formatting a flash drive is not much different from HDD formatting or SSD drives. Next, we will look at the best ones (such as USB Disk Storage Format Tool). We also mention a USB drive, available in any Windows operating system.
The guide will help you understand the many formatting options. I will explain what each individual parameter does and which one is best suited for your USB flash drive. And if it doesn't help standard method- Let's select an alternative utility for formatting a flash drive.
What is formatting?
Under formatting refers to the processing of an information carrier associated with the ordering of the structure of this medium. The source can be a hard drive (HDD), SDD, flash drive (usb flash drive), SD card or other solid-state device. Formatting changes the structure of access to digital information.
How to format an SD memory card? SD cards have special formatting features. We have written instructions. We are talking about a tool specifically designed for formatting flash drives and SD cards in Windows and Mac OS.
Two facts need to be kept in mind:
- When formatting a flash drive, all data stored on it is destroyed. Files can only be recovered using special recovery utilities - which is not always possible. So formatting is often an unsafe procedure
- when you format a flash drive or HDD, the system checks for structural errors and, in some cases, corrects them.
Low-level formatting of a flash drive is a type of formatting in which the surface of a USB drive is laid out into sectors used for further recording of service information. Low-level formatting is performed using special utilities, which we will discuss later in the article. We will also tell you how to format a flash drive using their tools.
As a rule, users do not want to understand the formatting options of the program. But in vain: after all, the settings are responsible for the performance of the flash drive and the read/write speed. Naturally, the optimal parameters depend on the model of the device that will be formatted and on what you plan to do with the flash drive, what tasks to perform: launch applications, use it as an OS boot, to store all kinds of data, etc. So let's figure it out, how to format a flash drive correctly.
How to quickly format a flash drive in Windows 7 - Windows 10
Tip of the day. Sometimes formatting allows you to restore the functionality of a flash drive, mark it up correctly, write down information - as a result, it becomes writable after it has ceased to be detected or read data. This is especially important to consider if Windows cannot format the flash drive and the user has to do this using third-party tools.
Windows OS has a standard utility for this case, so you don’t need to look for third-party formatting tools. Whether you are using Windows XP, Windows 7, 8 or Windows 10, the steps described are essentially the same.
- Connect the USB storage device to the slot
- Go to Explorer (Start > My Computer)
- Click right click mouse over USB drive
- Right-click on “Format” in the context menu
- Determine the file system type - FAT or NTFS
- To format the drive, simply make a selection and click the "Start" button
- Confirm that you really want to erase all data on the drive
- Flash drive is formatted
You need to understand what each of these options is responsible for. Flash drive formatting options that can be changed in the standard "Format" utility:
Interface of the flash drive system formatting utility in Windows 8Selecting a file system for formatting and storing files
In Windows 7, you can choose from four well-known file systems: NTFS, FAT, FAT32 file system and exFAT. You will not see FAT and FAT32 file systems in the list of available files if the total capacity of the flash drive or disk is more than 32 GB. So what are the differences between file systems and which one should you choose for storing data? Let's look at the advantages of each system.
Advantages of file NTFS systems
- writing and reading data larger than 4 gigabytes and up to the maximum allowed partition size.
- the ability to split a flash drive into sections, create large types of partitions over 32 GB on a USB flash drive
- formatting a flash drive in NTFS will be easier than in the case of FAT
- effective compression of information and, accordingly, good savings in occupied space on a flash drive.
- Better use of available space = less need for constant fragmentation.
- allows you to use more clusters on capacious disks = less consumption of unallocated space.
- you can add custom permissions for separate files and folders (for Windows editions Professional).
- support for on-the-fly file encryption using the efs (Encrypting File System; Windows Professional OS) file system.
Advantages of FAT and FAT32 file systems
- FAT is compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac OS X operating systems
- files take up less space on a USB drive than NTFS.
- You can format a flash drive under FAT in any OS
- Fewer disk writes/rewrites = faster and more efficient use of available memory.
Pros of the exFAT file system
- Read/write large files > 4 gigabytes in size to a USB flash drive.
- partitioning > 32 GB.
- rational use of space = optimization of fragmentation.
So, the conclusion that follows from the table. Due to their nature, FAT and FAT32 are suitable for drives smaller than 32 GB unless there is a need to store files larger than 2 and 4 GB, respectively. It is advisable to format the flash drive to NTFS.
Due to the nature of the file system, NTFS is not recommended for flash drives, even if their capacity is > 32 GB. A compromise solution would be the exFAT file system. It combines the significant advantages of FAT and NTFS (large file sizes are supported). So the file system exFAT is optimal for flash drives.
Keep in mind that FAT and FAT32 are the only file systems that guarantee cross-platform compatibility. NTFS is not supported on Linux and requires installation third party applications to work on Mac. exFAT, on the other hand, is supported in Snow Leopard and later Mac versions OS, but Linux requires drivers.
If the flash drive is not formatted in NTFS, choose FAT or exFAT.
If you want to use FAT or FAT32 for compatibility or to improve the speed of the flash drive, format it, always select file system FAT32, especially if you are dealing with a 2GB or smaller flash drive.
What is the best cluster size to choose?
Hard drives consist of clusters. The "Cluster Size" option in the formatting settings sets the appropriate size. The file system records the status of each cluster: free or busy. Once a file or part of a file is written to the cluster, it is occupied - whether there is space available on it or not.
Consequently, larger clusters may result in inefficient use of space on the flash drive (disk). With smaller clusters, however, the flash drive is slower because each file is split into smaller pieces. Copying files takes much longer. When a file on a USB drive is accessed, the clusters come together.
Fortunately, the situation can be corrected using a flash drive formatting program. Therefore, the optimal cluster size depends on the purpose of the USB drive.
Cluster size in NTFS
In addition, HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool will help (which other similar formatters cannot).
Program interface for formatting flash drives HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool How to format a flash drive using the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
The HP USB Format Tool application allows you to format a flash drive in the Mac operating system. However, to do this you need to perform a number of intricate steps:
- Install the Parallels Desktop emulator on your computer
- Install Windows on Mac OS
- on PC
- Format a flash drive for Mac OS X via emulated Windows
Answers on questions
I'm having problems with my flash drive. SmartBuy 64 gig. At first, the flash drive occasionally “disappeared”, then disappeared completely.... after lying around for 3 weeks, it appeared and allowed itself to be formatted (from fat32 to NTFS). It worked for 2 weeks and disappeared again..... SmartBuy technical support specialists “don’t know and can’t help with the problem”... The utility for formatting a flash drive Low Level Format Tool works as it should, the usual one (both Windows and special utilities) - some goes to the end and writes that Windows cannot complete the formatting (this is usually in NTFS), and some immediately refuse (and this is in exFAT).
So: I have thoughts that the flash drive has been “shortened” due to bad blocks, and therefore programs for formatting the flash drive do not reach the very end - so they refuse to make the final recording on the media.
Please recommend a program for correct low-level formatting of a flash drive that does not check for errors at the end. Something like that program that the Chinese use to “make” LARGE flash drives out of small ones.
Answer. Try the following programs: JetFlash Recovery Tool, USB Disk Storage Format Tool, HDD Low Level Format Tool. Pay attention to utilities that perform low-level formatting. The title may state that these programs are intended for hard drives– however, some of them work similarly with flash drives, allowing you to format them.
There is such a flash drive Name: DT 101 II (USB2.0)
VID&PID: Vid_0951&Pid_1625
Speed: high speed
Vendor Description: Kingston
Product Description: DT 101 II
Serial Number: 000AEB91EBF5F97155120907
The capacity of the flash drive is determined by the system as 16 GB. It is formatted, but when writing a file larger than 4 GB it says that there is no space.
Answer. You need to format the flash drive to NTFS. You can record files larger than 4 GB on it. However, as we have already noted, exFat (Extended File Allocation Table) - the best option for a flash drive.
How to format a flash drive to ntfs? Use USB programs Disk Storage Format Tool or HDD Low Level Format Tool. Built-in Windows tools will also help you format the drive to ntfs.
Which file system should I format the flash drive into?Recently a friend bought a flash drive from the company Transcend models JetFlash 600 for 32 GB. A very convenient miniature flash drive, weighs only 8 grams.
Everything seems to be good and wonderful, but some problems have arisen that, in principle, do not concern the flash drive itself. Namely: copying files larger than 4 GB was impossible, which is very inconvenient, because... it was necessary to transfer disk images. The second strange thing that was noticed was unstable work flash drives with extension cord. Because of this, the file system was damaged and files copied to it were lost. All this prompted a small research work, the purpose of which is to find out which file system you need to format the flash drive into and why. And also, consider some common problems and their solutions.
A little theory about file systems
On this moment There are several most common disk file systems:
- ext4(Fourth Extended File System) and previous versions - the file system used in the OS Linux
- FAT32(File Allocation Table) - a 32-bit version of one of the most common file systems, used by default on flash drives
- NTFS(New Technology File System) - a file system that became widespread with the advent of the OS family Windows NT
ext4 will not be considered further, because I have to use a flash drive mainly on computers with an OS installed Windows. So, formatting into this file system would lead to difficulties and the inability to work with drive files in Windows-systems. Of course you could use special programs for reading, but I question their presence on the target ones.
FAT32, as you know, this is the file system into which flash drives are formatted by default before being sold. It is believed (and not without reason) that this file system works faster than its “competitors” and is ideally suited for flash drives. But it also has its disadvantages, which I will describe below.
NTFS- native to Windows file system (FS). Characterized by high operational reliability.
Advantages and disadvantages of file systems for Flash drives
So, the answer to the question which file system to use for flash drive ? may have two options: FAT32(default) and NTFS(option with ext4 was excluded due to possible problems with compatibility). To answer this, you need to compare these two file systems.
Advantages and disadvantages of FAT32
Advantages:
- High speed
- Low volume requirement random access memory
- Effectively work with medium and small files
Flaws:
- Ineffective work with large files
- Limitation on maximum partition and file size- maximum file size is limited to 4 Gigabytes
- Reduced performance due to fragmentation
- Reduced performance when working with directories containing a large number of files
- A FAT32 directory can store a maximum of 65534 files
Advantages and disadvantages of NTFS
Advantages:
- Fast access speed to small files
- High reliability of data storage and the file structure itself
- File fragmentation does not affect the file system itself
- High performance when working with large files
Flaws:
- Higher RAM requirements compared to FAT 32
- Lower operating speed compared to FAT 32
- File path length is limited- 32,767 Unicode characters; each path component (directory or filename) - up to 255 characters
The described advantages and disadvantages are very conditional and are not always critical when working with files. These are more theoretical remarks than a call to action. Personally, it really bothered me FAT32 file size limit. It was very inconvenient for me then. Therefore, we had to come up with “workarounds” to overcome this limitation.
I would like to note about the alternative FAT32 file system is exFAT.
exFAT Review
exFAT(Extended FAT) is a proprietary file system designed primarily for flash drives.
Main advantages exFAT before previous versions FAT are:
- Improved free space allocation by introducing a free space bitmap, which can reduce disk fragmentation
- No limit on the number of files in one directory
- Added support for list of access rights
Note: support exFAT available in Windows XP with Service Pack 2 And 3 with update KB955704, Windows Vista With Service Pack 1. So, problems may occur on some computers.
Which file system should I choose?
NTFS has numerous advantages over FAT, and its limitations are in most cases insignificant. If you are faced with choosing a file system, consider first using NTFS, and only then - FAT. IN NTFS a large number of different technologies have been implemented, such as: access control tools, the ability to encrypt data, packing files to save space, multi-threaded files, hard links, override points, transitions, disk space quotas, change logging. That's why I recommend it.
From a perspective point of view, functionality, safety and reliability NTFS much ahead FAT. However, comparing the performance of these file systems does not give a clear result, since performance depends on many different factors. So, the gain in file access speed in FAT not enough to give up all the benefits NTFS.
Results
I would recommend formatting flash drives, especially large ones, to NTFS. It is more reliable and more technologically advanced, and also allows you to avoid some of the restrictions FAT32. This will not greatly affect the speed of work. However, there is an opinion that a journaled file system is capable of “sharing” a flash drive, because frequently updates its log, which is stored in a specific cluster (block). Over time, it becomes unusable and the flash drive may fail.
Memory cards are used in almost every device in the operating room Android system. And despite the fact that in the latest models There is a tendency towards a gradual abandonment of their use due to an increase in the volume of internal storage; they still continue to be very popular. They take up minimal space, allow data to be rewritten many times, and also have a high speed of information exchange.
The correctly selected format when formatting a flash drive will increase the stability of the Android device.
From time to time there is a need to format a flash drive on your device. The reasons may be different - some kind of malfunction, slow operation, writing or reading errors, or you simply need to prepare the accessory to work on a new device. At this moment, many people have questions about which file system is best suited for your device. If you format a memory card directly on the device, all parameters are selected automatically, but when formatting via a computer, four formats are available that can be selected from the list.
Let's figure out how they differ from each other and find out which memory card format is most suitable for your Android device, because from the right choice The stability of the smartphone or tablet will depend.
FAT
The oldest version of the file system. Today it is practically not used, as it is already morally obsolete. It has many restrictions, for example, the maximum amount of media that can be used is 2 gigabytes. Today, almost no one uses such flash drives, since you can’t really write anything on them. What can we say if the space occupied by some games can reach 4–5 gigabytes. Therefore, we immediately discard this option. Latest Versions Windows doesn't even offer it.
FAT32
A very popular file system format nowadays. This flash drive can be used in a variety of devices, including household DVD players, set-top boxes, photo printers, photo and video cameras, and many others. By and large, this is the most compatible format today. What are its technical features?
- Fast writing and reading speed from media.
- Minimum RAM requirements.
- Fully compatible with all existing operating systems and many other gadgets.
- The maximum size of a recorded file is 4 GB.
- Limit on the number of folders and files they contain.
NTFS
No less popular than FAT32, a format that is the de facto standard for computers, running under the operating system Windows systems. Many developers recommend giving preference to it, since it is superior to its competitor in a number of indicators. What exactly?
- Better data security.
- There are no restrictions on the size of the recorded file and the number of files in each folder.
- Higher disk stability.
- Higher requirements for RAM capacity.
- In some cases, lower data transfer rates.
exFAT
The most modern format, used by default in most new mobile gadgets. By and large, it combines all the best aspects of FAT32 - high speed work, minimum requirements to the equipment - and NTFS - no restrictions on the number of files and the amount of data written, as well as high security and reliability. Using modern smartphone or a tablet, it is better to give preference to it.
conclusions
When choosing between FAT32, exFAT and NTFS, focus on the size and class of your flash drive, as well as the year of manufacture of the device. If the memory card capacity is up to 4 GB, you can safely format it to FAT32. If more, exFAT is better, since incompatibility problems can sometimes arise when using NTFS. If you are afraid of making a mistake, format the flash drive directly on your Android device. This article on our website is devoted to this topic. In the comments, write to us about what type of file system you choose when formatting a flash drive for your Android device.
Updated – 2017-01-25
Which file system to format the flash drive with. Almost everyone knows what a flash drive is. Nowadays it is simply impossible to do without this information carrier. Wherever it is not used, and in computer technology, and in cameras, and in video cameras, and in e-books, and digital signatures in electronic document management, And so on and so forth. And such a thing is quite affordable for everyone. But today we will talk about computer flash media, or as it is popularly called, a flash drive.
For some, it simply serves to transfer files from computer to computer; for others, it is already a whole set of programs for installation operating systems, testing computer components and programs. Some people use a flash drive to watch videos, others record video lessons using the same flash drive, others run their favorite toys and customized office programs from it. And for all this you just need to format the flash drive correctly, otherwise you won’t be able to transfer large files to it. To work comfortably with a flash drive and for different purposes, you need to use a different file system. We will now talk to you about which file system should be used in this or that case.
The most current file systems for flash drives and others external media are FAT32, NTFS And exFAT.
We won’t go into theory, but simply decide why this or that file system is good for our purposes. Then you just need to format your flash drive in the system that suits you.
FAT32 faster compared to NTFS And exFAT and is suitable for you if you transfer small files from computer to computer - up to 4 GB. These are the files text editor Word, Excel, photographs, and small (again up to 4 GB) videos.
Also FAT32 necessary if you view files from a flash drive on a TV, DVD, or car FM modulator. Some TVs and DVD devices simply do not recognize the other system. There's nothing you can do about it.
But the system FAT32 There are also some disadvantages. It has less reliability compared to NTFS. What is this lack of reliability? The fact is that if there is an unexpected power outage to the computer, or you did not correctly remove the flash drive from the connector, then your data may simply disappear from it or not be opened again.
Therefore, if you are sure that you will not have to watch videos on old devices, then a flash drive in the system NTFS.
And if you intend to store large files, photos and videos on a flash drive, then it is better to use the system exFAT. For example, memory cards in cameras and video equipment use just such a system. In this case, these systems provide optimal operating speed.
Usually, if writing is faster, then reading files is slower, and vice versa. Therefore, when choosing a file system, you can only focus on using a flash drive in one case or another:
- For large files, more than 4 GB – NTFS,
- For graphics - exFAT,
- To view photos and short movies on older TVs and DVD players – FAT32.
Now you know which file system to format the flash drive with, so you can avoid many problems when working with it.
Video clip Which file system to format the flash drive with:
Good day!
Quite often, when working at a computer (laptop), you have to deal with the operation of formatting disks, flash drives and other storage devices. (for example, to delete all data from them, in case of various failures and errors, to change the file system, etc.) . Today's article will focus on flash drives...
I should note that it is not always possible to format a flash drive without problems using the first available method. That is why I decided to jot down a note with several formatting options (I think it will be useful to everyone who is unable to produce this operation, or who can’t decide on the file system).
Addition!
If, when formatting or trying to copy files to a flash drive, you see an error that the drive is write-protected, I recommend reading this guide:
Important! Formatting will destroy all data on the drive. If there is a flash drive necessary files- copy them in advance onto excellent media.
About choosing a file system and cluster size
When formatting a drive (by any method), you must specify the file system, cluster size and volume name. And if specifying the name does not cause any difficulties, then with the rest many people have questions...
In general, today the most commonly used file systems are:
- FAT32- the oldest file system that is supported by almost all devices (even various game consoles!). Most flash drives are formatted in this file system by default. It has one significant drawback: it cannot record files larger than 4 GB!
- NTFS- a more modern file system supported by Windows XP and higher (on Mac OS X it is read only, on Linux there are distributions that support read only, and there are those that support both writing and reading). File size - no restrictions. As for various consoles and devices, NTFS is not supported by all (for example, the Xbox 360 or Sony PlayStation does not support it). In general, NTFS is more suitable for disks (than for flash drives) that will be used in Windows.
- exFAT(or FAT64) is a specially designed file system for flash drives. Supports files larger than 4 GB, disk partition size is not limited. By the way, exFAT has one key advantage: it overwrites the same sector less during operation, which affects the service life of drives (i.e. a flash drive with exFAT should last longer than with NTFS). That is why it is preferable to use exFAT for flash drives rather than NTFS.
conclusions: If you want maximum compatibility and plan to connect the flash drive to set-top boxes or older PCs, choose FAT32 (though you will be limited to a 4 GB file size). In other cases, it is preferable to choose exFAT (however, I note that some TVs, for example, cannot read this file system and it is for their sake that you have to choose NTFS).
What about the cluster size (or also called the distribution unit):
This parameter determines how much space the flash drive will allocate for one file. For example, if the standard cluster size is 64 KB, and your file weighs 50 KB, then it will take up 64 KB of space on the flash drive!
If you are going to store a lot of small files on a flash drive, choose the minimum cluster size. However, in this case the speed of the drive will be lower! Most users, in my opinion, can ignore this setting; it is optimal to leave the default value.
Method number 1 - through "This PC" (Explorer)
Method number 2 - through disk management
Not all media are always visible in “This Computer/My Computer”. This may be due to a conflict of drive letters, if the flash drive is not formatted at all, if the file system fails, and in a number of other cases. Naturally, if you don’t see it in “My Computer”, then you won’t be able to format it this way...
However, Windows has a special tool - disk management . It displays all drives connected to the system (even those with problems).
Universal way to open disk management :
- Press the key combination Win+R (a Run window should appear in the corner of the screen);
- then enter the command diskmgmt.msc and press Enter.
Also, disk management can be opened by going to the panel Windows management and use the search.
In Disk Management All disks, flash drives, and other media that your computer can see will be presented. Simply select the desired drive from the list, right-click on it and select from the menu "Format..." .
Disk management - format the drive
Method number 3 - via the command line
In some cases, for example, when Explorer freezes or the error “failed to complete formatting” appears, you have to resort to working with the command line. Using it, you can also format drives (important! Be careful, perform all steps step by step, as written below).
I'll show you everything using a personal example. First you need to run on behalf of administrator . To do this, open the task manager (key combination Ctrl+Alt+Del or Ctrl+Shift+Esc), then click "File/new task" and enter CMD command, not forgetting to check the “Create a task with administrator rights” checkbox (as in the example below).
- first you need to find out the letter of the flash drive (if you haven’t connected the flash drive to USB port- connect!). To do this, enter the command diskpart and press Enter.
- then enter the command list volume and press Enter (note that in the list of drives you should see the letter of your flash drive! In my case, the letter “E” is highlighted in yellow);
- then to close diskpart, type exit and press Enter;
- to format use the command format E: /FS:exFAT /Q /V:fleska (where "E" is the letter of your flash drive; FS: exFAT - file system (for NTFS - enter FS:NTFS); V:fleska - the name of the flash drive, can be anything (for example, V: mydisk).
Actually, after entering the last command, the formatting process should start. Just be careful not to confuse the drive letter - many operations in command line do not require confirmation!
Method number 4 - using special utilities
If all other methods are unsuccessful, most likely there is something wrong with your flash drive: a file system failure (for example, it may be marked as RAW); infection with viruses that block work with the drive, etc.
In this case you need to use special utilities. Moreover, I want to note that in most cases Each flash drive model will need its own utility(using a third-party one may damage it permanently)! Below are some links to my articles that will help you complete this operation!
A few more tips on what you can do if the flash drive cannot be formatted are given in this article:
That's all, good luck!
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