This wikiHow teaches you how to change the default file format on a flash drive. All files and folders on a flash drive will usually be deleted when you format it. So, make sure to back up the files it contains before you format it.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Connect the USB flash drive to the computer
You can do this by plugging a flash drive into one of the USB ports on your computer. This port is in the form of a small square slot in the computer case.
Step 2. Go to Start
You can do this by clicking the Windows logo in the lower-left corner, or pressing Win.
Step 3. Type "this pc" into Start
A computer monitor-shaped icon will appear at the top of the Start window.
Click Computer which is on the right side of the Start window if you are using Windows 7.
Step 4. Click This PC
It's a monitor-shaped icon at the top of the Start window. The This PC application will open.
If you are using Windows 7, skip this step
Step 5. Right-click the flash disk icon
Its icon is below the " Devices and drives " heading in the middle of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
If you're using a laptop with a trackpad, use two fingers to tap the trackpad, not right-clicking
Step 6. Click Format
This option is in the middle of the drop-down menu. The Format window will open.
Step 7. Click the "File System" box
It's under the " File System " heading at the top of the page. A drop-down menu will appear with the following options:
- NTFS - This is the default operating system format in Windows. If you want to use the flash drive as a secondary Windows drive, select this option.
- FAT32 - This format is the most compatible and can be used on many computers and game consoles (games).
- exFAT - This format is similar to FAT32, but is designed for external hard drives (such as flash drives) and can be used more quickly.
Step 8. Click the formatting option
The options selected depend on the purpose of the flash drive. For example, you can choose FAT32 if you want to use a flash drive for your game console, or choose NTFS if you want to create a backup drive that is only used for Windows.
If you have formatted the drive before and are sure that the flash drive is not corrupted, you can also check the box Quick Format.
Step 9. Click Start → OK.
Windows will start formatting your flash drive.
Step 10. Click OK when prompted
You have successfully formatted the flash drive.
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Connect the USB flash drive to the computer
You can do this by plugging a flash drive into one of the USB ports on your Mac. This port is a small square slot in the computer case.
Some Mac computers don't have a USB port, so you'll need to purchase an adapter
Step 2. Click Go
The menu items are in the top-left side of the menu bar (menu bar).
When the button Go doesn't appear, first click the Finder icon, which is the blue face in the Mac's dock.
Step 3. Click on Utilities located in the drop-down menu Go.
Step 4. Double-click Disk Utility
This option is probably in the middle of the Utilities page.
Step 5. Click the name of the flash drive
This name is on the left side of the Disk Utility window.
Step 6. Click the Erase tab located at the top of the Disk Utility window
Step 7. Click the "Format" box in the middle of the page
A drop-down menu will appear with the following options:
- Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
- Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted)
- Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled)
- Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted)
- MS-DOS (FAT)
- ExFAT
Step 8. Click the formatting option
Usually people choose one of the Mac OS options which makes the flash drive work only for Macs (for example a backup drive), but you can choose the format ExFat or MS-DOS (FAT) so that the flash drive can be used on computers other than Macs.
Step 9. Click Erase, then click Erase when prompted.
The formatting process will begin. When you're done, an icon for the flash drive will appear on your Mac's desktop.
