The USB drives or also known as pendrive, are an incredible tool removable storage where you can store any file as long as does not exceed the storage capacity of the same.
Currently, USBs have a very high transfer rate compared to their predecessors, also their storage capacity can reach up to 1TB, but all mass storage devices share something in common, and that is the possibility of changing the format.
Therefore, this time we will teach you how to change the format of a pendrive in different ways, but first, let’s clarify what are the types that are given to a USB drive when it is formatted.
Types of formats for USB
The role of these file systems is to manage memory, allow access, and organize the content that exists on it. Each of these types of formats have notable differences, some advantages, disadvantages, and compatibility. The formats that currently exist are the following:
- FAT32: The standard format of the pendrive is compatible with any operating system or devices, be it mobile, Smart TV, among others.
- exFAT: Same function as FAT32, since it is compatible with multiple operating systems, but they may have compatibility problems with Smart TVs.
- NTFS: Default format of the HHD or SSD when the Windows operating system is installed, which is only compatible with that system. Mobile phones, Smart TV and other platforms do not accept this format.
- HFS +: The HFS + file system is presented by Apple computers, whether they are Macs, iMac, and more, with only compatible with the Apple operating system.
- Ext2, Ext3, Ext4: Just as Apple and Windows have their own format, Linux has its own, the difference is that it can coexist with both Apple and Windows devices.
3 methods to change the format of a pendrive
After knowing the basics of the types of formats, this is what you should do to change the format on your pendrive with the file explorer, disk management and cleaning the USB drive:
Reformat a USB drive with File Explorer
By following these simple steps you will be able to change the format of your pendrive quickly and easily.
- Open the file explorer. One way to quickly access it is by pressing the Windows + E keys.
- Click where it says “This team”.
- It will show all storage devices, be it HDD, SSD or USB. Right click on the pendrive where you want to change the format, then select the “Format” option.
- It will show a window with certain options, you must locate the one called “File System” and select the one you want, either “FAT32, NTFS, exFAT”.
- Followed by this, if you wish you can change the name of the USB in the option “Volume label”.
- To finish click on Start, you just have to wait for the formatting process to finish and that’s it.
Format a flash drive with Disk Management
With the “Disk Management” feature you can format your pendrive, giving it a new format, a new name, and a new path letter. To do this you must do the following:
- Click on the “search icon” located at the bottom left of the taskbar. Then type “Windows Administrative Tools”, select the first option.
- It will show various options, double click on the one that is named: “Computer Management”.
- Following this, a new window will open, which will be full of options. Locate the one that says: “Disk Management”.
- This process will make it show all the drives connected to the computer, be they SSD, HDD or USB.
- Select the “USB drive”, then at the bottom it will reflect the capacity of it.
- To assign a new format, right click on the rectangle , select the option “Format”, it will show a warning, click “Yes”.
- Put a new name, then in the option “File system” select the desired format.
- After this click “OK” , it will show a warning again, click “OK” a second time and that’s it.
Reformat with cleaning and formatting USB drives
Another way to format the pendrive and correct errors, be they read or otherwise, is to completely remove the volume from the drive and give it a new one. To do this, follow these simple steps:
- Go to the option “Disk Management”, right click on the storage space of the pendrive and select the option “Delete volume”, it will show a warning, click “Yes.
- The storage space will turn black, right click on it and select the option “New simple volume”.
- Then click “Next> Next> Next”.
- In the Format the partition window, select the format and add a new name to the pendrive, and finally click on “Next> Finish”.
Following each step as established in this tutorial, you will be able to change the format of a pendrive easily and quickly. And you, which of these three methods was most effective for you?