How to Format a Flash Drive

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Connect the USB flash drive to your computer.

   To do so, plug it into one of your PC's USB ports, which resemble thin, rectangular slots on your computer's housing. , Do so either by clicking the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or by pressing the ⊞ Win key., A computer monitor-shaped icon will appear at the top of the Start window.
   
   On Windows 7, click Computer on the right side of the Start window. , It's a monitor-shaped icon at the top of the Start window.
   
   The This PC app will open.
   
   Skip this step on Windows
   7. , It's beneath the "Devices and drives" heading in the middle of the page.
   
   This will bring up a drop-down menu.
   
   On a laptop with a trackpad, use two fingers to tap the trackpad rather than right-clicking. , This option is near the middle of the drop-down menu.
   
   Doing so opens the Format window., It's below the "File System" heading near the top of the page.
   
   A drop-down menu will appear with the following options:
   NTFS
   - The default Windows operating system format.
   
   If you're using your drive as a secondary Windows drive, you'll need to choose this option.
   
   FAT32
   - The most widely compatible format.
   
   Works with most computers and gaming consoles. exFAT
   - Similar to FAT32, but designed for external hard drives (e.g., flash drives) and quicker use. , The option you pick will depend on what you plan on using the drive for.
   
   For example, choose FAT32 if you're formatting the flash drive for use with a gaming console, or choose NTFS if you're creating a Windows-only backup drive.
   
   If you've formatted your drive before and you're positive that it isn't broken, you can also check the Quick Format box. , Doing this will cause Windows to begin formatting your flash drive for you., Your flash drive has successfully been formatted.
2. 2

   Step 2: Open Start .

3. 3

   Step 3: Type "this pc" into Start.

4. 4

   Step 4: Click This PC.

5. 5

   Step 5: Right-click the flash drive's icon.

6. 6

   Step 6: Click Format.

7. 7

   Step 7: Click the "File System" box.

8. 8

   Step 8: Click a format option.

9. 9

   Step 9: Click Start

10. 10

    Step 10: then click OK.

11. 11

    Step 11: Click OK when prompted.

Detailed Guide

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