How to Format a SanDisk USB to FAT32 on Windows 10

If you need to format your SanDisk USB drive to FAT32 for compatibility or to remove all data, here are two straightforward methods to accomplish this task using Windows 10. This guide will walk you through the processes using File Explorer and Command Prompt.

Using File Explorer: A Simple and Quick Method

To format your SanDisk USB drive to FAT32 using the Windows File Explorer, follow these easy steps:

Insert the USB Drive: Connect your SanDisk USB drive to an available USB port on your Windows 10 computer.

Open File Explorer: Press Windows E to launch the File Explorer.

Locate the USB Drive: In the left sidebar, find your SanDisk USB drive under the list of devices.

Right-click on the USB Drive: Right-click on your USB drive to open the context menu.

Select Format: From the context menu, click on Format....

Choose FAT32: In the Format dialog box, select FAT32 from the File system dropdown menu.

Label the Drive (Optional): Enter a name for your USB drive in the Label field if you wish to name it.

Perform a Quick Format: Check the Quick format option if you want a faster process. Note: Quick format will only overwrite the entries in the file system and does not erase the actual data.

Start the Formatting Process: Click on the Start button and confirm any prompts warning that all data will be erased.

Wait for the Process to Complete: After the process is complete, a message will indicate that the format is complete. Click OK to proceed.

Close the Format Window: Click Close to finish the formatting process.

Using Command Prompt: A More Detailed Method

For a more detailed process, you can use the Command Prompt to format your SanDisk USB drive to FAT32:

Insert the USB Drive: Connect your SanDisk USB drive to an available USB port.

Open Command Prompt: Press Windows X and select Windows Terminal Admin or Command Prompt Admin to open an elevated command prompt.

List Disks: In the Command Prompt, type diskpart and press Enter to open the DiskPart utility.

List Connected Disks: Type list disk and press Enter to view a list of all connected drives.

Select the USB Drive: Identify your USB drive from the list and type select disk X (replace X with the appropriate number). Press Enter.

Clear the USB Drive: Type clean and press Enter. This will erase all data on the drive. Note: Make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.

Create a New Partition: Type create partition primary and press Enter.

Select the Partition: Type select partition 1 and press Enter.

Format the Drive: Type and press Enter. This will quickly format the USB drive to FAT32.

Assign a Drive Letter: Type assign and press Enter to assign a drive letter to your new FAT32-formatted USB.

Exit DiskPart: Type exit and press Enter to close the DiskPart utility, then close the Command Prompt.

Important Notes

Data Loss: Formatting your USB drive with FAT32 will erase all data on the drive. Always back up important files before proceeding.

File Size Limit: FAT32 has a file size limit of 4GB. If you need to store larger files, consider using the exFAT file system instead.

Conclusion

By following the methods above, you can successfully format your SanDisk USB drive to FAT32 on Windows 10. This will make your USB drive compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems.