How to Format USB Flash Drive from Command Prompt Step 1: Type cmd in the search box, then you can get the best match called Command Prompt. Step 2: On the Command Prompt window, type diskpart and press 'Enter'. Step 3: Type list disk and press 'Enter'. According to the list disk information.
Can't format a USB pen drive because it is write protected? When I try to format a flash drive, pen drive or SD card, get the 'disk is write protected' error message? Don't worry! There is an easy way to remove the write protection and format the USB flash drive or Pen drive without any hassle.
Step 1: Check and Unlock USB Flash Drive
If your computer tells you that the media is write-protected, check the switches on the storage device (USB or SD card). If the media has this switch, be sure to set the switch to write (unlock) instead of read-only.
In addition, if the USB flash drive is infected and attacked, you can also check it. You need to download anti-virus software and scan your USB flash drive. Delete the virus as soon as it is found, then remove the write protection from the read-only flash drive.
Step 2: Remove the write protection
There are many ways to remove the write protection of a USB drive from Windows. A popular method is to change the registry key, but this is scary for some people. A less complicated approach is to use diskpart.
Option 1: Use Regedit.exe to remove write protection
If you'd rather use the Windows Registry to remove write protection from a USB drive or SD card, use regedit to make the change.
Step 1: Connect removable device which is write protected with Windows PC.
Step 2: Go to the Start, type regedit in the Search box, then hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Step 3: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following folder:
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlStorageDevicePolicies.
If the Storage Device Policies key is missing from your registry, you will be unable to remove USB Write Protection. Fortunately, you can try the following guide to create it by yourself.
Here is how to create a storage device polices key:
1. In Registry Editor, Navigate to registry key below: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControl.
2. Right-click Control key, and select New > Key, named StorageDevicePolicies.
3. On the right panel of StorageDevicePolicies, right-click and select New DWORD and give it name as WriteProtect.
Step 4: Double-click the WriteProtect value in the right pane of StorageDevicePolicy.
Step 5: Change the Value data from '1' to '0' and click OK to save your changes.
Value data = 1, it means that Yes, write protect my USB storage device.
Value data = 0, it means that No, don't write protect my USB storage device.
Option 2: Remove Write Protection (Clear Read-only) Using CMD
Insert a USB flash drive into the computer, then follow these steps below:
1. Open a Command Prompt window as an administrator (Win+X, A).
2. Type in DISKPART and hit Enter.
3. Type in list disk and hit Enter. From the size of the disk, it's easy to find out which one is my removable disk.
4. Type in select disk 2 and hit Enter. (Disk 2 is the disk number of my USB drive, just repalce it with your disk number)
5. Type in ATTRIBUTES DISK and hit Enter key. If you can see the first line shows Current Read-only State: Yes then you can remove the write protection using command ATTRIBUTES DISK CLEAR READONLY.
Step 3: Format USB Drive or Pen Drive using CMD
1. Insert a USB flash drive into a running computer.
2. Open a Command Prompt window as an administrator (Win+X, A).
3. Type diskpart in the new command line window that opens, then press Enter.
4. Type list disk, and then hit Enter. The list disk command displays all the disks on the computer. Note the drive number of the USB flash drive.
5. Type select disk X, where X is the drive number of the USB drive, and then press Enter.
6. Type clean, and then press Enter. This command deletes all data from the USB flash drive.
7. Type create partition primary, and then hit Enter. This command creates a new primary partition on the USB flash drive.
8. Type format fs=ntfs quick, and then hit Enter.
This will format the drive with the NTFS file system. If you wish to use FAT32 file system instead of NTFS, please use Format fs=FAT32 Quick command.
9. Type active, and then press Enter.
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How-To Geek Forums / Windows Vista
(Solved) - Format 64gig USB Flash Drive to FAT32
(14 posts)I have read through many similar topics but have not found a solution. I have purchased 3rd party software only to find out it cannot perform the task.
So now I'm turning the to pro's.
Can anyone confirm how (or if possible) to format a 64gig USB to FAT32. I know it's possible because I have a Patriot Magnum 64 gig which came FAT32 out of the box.
So now I'm turning the to pro's.
Can anyone confirm how (or if possible) to format a 64gig USB to FAT32. I know it's possible because I have a Patriot Magnum 64 gig which came FAT32 out of the box.
Now I purchased a Corsair Voyager 64gig GTR which is NTFS. I can't recall if it was packaged that way or I formatted it to NTFS. I have so many drives I lost track.
So anyway. I need that Voyager to go FAT32 and most recently I have tried using Fat32Formatter or FAT32Format and Partition Magic doesn't format USB's and the list of failures goes on.
So anyway. I need that Voyager to go FAT32 and most recently I have tried using Fat32Formatter or FAT32Format and Partition Magic doesn't format USB's and the list of failures goes on.
I know NTFS is the norm for large drives, but I need a car player to access this storage device and it only does so for FAT32, which in my opinion is stupid but maybe necessary. I know it works easy for 32gig which I also have, but we have to keep switching the devices and 64gig would be ideal.
I've been at this for months and don't want to give up since I have a working product in my hand and can't make another. I was even thinking of cloning, but don't know if you can clone a USB flash drive or what software to use.
I have either Vista or Windows 7 OS's to choose from. Can someone please tell me the magic trick to make this happen.
It should be possible in Disk Management. I just tried it and it worked - but on a smaller drive.
Just define a simple partition on the drive and format that. You may have to first delete the partition that is on there - if any - to get freespace.
ChuckBytes hi,
First throw out the partition magic as it is outdated and does not work with either Vista or win7.
Have you tried formatting from win7?
cleck on start orb > then click on computer > rt click on your drive > select format and a drop down will give you a choice of FAT32.
You can also try PW. You will have to burn to CD then boot with it.
http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html
First throw out the partition magic as it is outdated and does not work with either Vista or win7.
Have you tried formatting from win7?
cleck on start orb > then click on computer > rt click on your drive > select format and a drop down will give you a choice of FAT32.
You can also try PW. You will have to burn to CD then boot with it.
http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html
Hello,
You should try this: http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=197. Simple, no burning, booting or whatsoever. Give it a shot and let us know if it works! Cheers :)
Wow, that was fast replies, good site. .... All answers are all good but none seem to match up to the expected result.
For example.
Germ-X
Using W7 I go to Computer Management then click on Storage then on Disk Management.
Right Click on the drive which is my USB and select Format. Drop down file system only shows two choices. NTFS or exFAT
For example.
Germ-X
Using W7 I go to Computer Management then click on Storage then on Disk Management.
Right Click on the drive which is my USB and select Format. Drop down file system only shows two choices. NTFS or exFAT
Even in the help section it reads the following.
If the partition you want to format is larger than 32GB, the FAT32 option will not be visible.
(that's not to say it can't be done, it's just not visible)
If the partition you want to format is larger than 32GB, the FAT32 option will not be visible.
(that's not to say it can't be done, it's just not visible)
WHS
I deleted the partition and made a new one, same results as above, no choice for FAT32
Maybe one of my windows settings need to be changed.
I deleted the partition and made a new one, same results as above, no choice for FAT32
Maybe one of my windows settings need to be changed.
I'm pretty sure I used the program specified in my answer before on 64GB usb (transcend) and it worked. Gave it a shot already ?
PSI,
just extracted and can't start any of the exec files. Compatibility issue with 64bit OS. I'm taking it over to my 32bit Vista machine, I'll let you know
just extracted and can't start any of the exec files. Compatibility issue with 64bit OS. I'm taking it over to my 32bit Vista machine, I'll let you know
Give this a try. About mid page there is a small file to download it's the formatter file
http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?fat32format.htm
http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?fat32format.htm
Geez, it's been awhile with the DOS commands, that was revitalizing experience. However, same result with 32bit version. Can you tell me how you executed a command using Vista with a DOS 98 version of SW
OK Germ-X - i'll try that next.
Ah, that was in my first post, I already tried these programs. FAT32Format or Fat23formatter they will not acknowledge a 64GB drive as formatable
thanks for all your help folks, as previously mentioned, this has been a mission of mine for a couple months to no avail.
For the most part, the majority of posts on the net show that it cannot be done, however since i have the proof in my hand with a store bought 64GB USB, maybe it can only be done at the manufacturing facility. I'm not giving up,
Don't give up! If they can do it, then so can we!
It might be worth trying something outside of windows. I would recommend Gparted. You will be able to make a bootable live cd that does not require installation. Download it here. This is based on Linux and is open source.
Good luck!
MiniGeek
Germ-X.....
My most sincere apologies. Your method suggestion did work !!!.
My foolish doubtfulness had me rushing through the steps and missing an important one. Goes to show we must read read read.
My hats off to you, this has been a day of days..... :)
My most sincere apologies. Your method suggestion did work !!!.
My foolish doubtfulness had me rushing through the steps and missing an important one. Goes to show we must read read read.
My hats off to you, this has been a day of days..... :)
Fat32format is the way to go through DOS commands.
If you want try the below suggestion
1. connect USB drive to system.
2. go to device manager and select USB from Disk drives option.
3. Right click it and choose policies tab and set optimize for performance option.
4. close every thing and open command prompt
5. use format command: format *usbdrivename* /FS:FAT32 /Q /X
1. connect USB drive to system.
2. go to device manager and select USB from Disk drives option.
3. Right click it and choose policies tab and set optimize for performance option.
4. close every thing and open command prompt
5. use format command: format *usbdrivename* /FS:FAT32 /Q /X
EDIT: Well glad to hear everything worked out for you. Guess you don't need this suggestion
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