When copying large files, often untrained users have the following question: how to format a USB flash drive in FAT32? This simple operation can be done both by the system tools of the Windows 7 operating system itself, and by specialized software. Each of these methods will be considered in detail in the framework of the material brought to your attention. The article also gives recommendations on how to perform this operation on an OS such as Ubuntu.
My Computer Menu
The easiest way to format a USB flash drive in FAT32 is to use the My Computer shortcut. The order of the work is as follows:
- We find this shortcut on the desktop. In some cases, it may be
"Hidden" in the Start menu. - We double-click the right button of the manipulator on the “My Computer” icon.
- We connect the flash drive.
- We are waiting for the icon to appear in an open window in the "Devices with removable media" section.
- We point the manipulator pointer at it and call the context menu with the right button.
- Select the "Format" item.
- In the window that opens, in the "File System" drop-down list, select "FAT32".
- Set the checkbox at the bottom of the "Fast".
- Then click "Start."
- Confirm the action by clicking "OK."
- At the end of the procedure, a message appears indicating that this operation was successful.
- Close all previously opened windows.
At the end of the work, you need to check the result of this operation. For this:
- We open the My Computer window in the previously described way.
- We find a flash drive.
- We hover over it and call the context menu in the manner described above.
- In the list, select "Properties".
- Opposite the inscription “File system” should be written “FAT32”.
If so, then everything went well. Otherwise, we repeat from the very beginning the entire order of conversion of the drive. This is the easiest and most convenient way to format a USB flash drive in FAT32. But he has one significant drawback - this is the complete destruction of information on the drive. Therefore, before performing this operation, all data must be transferred to the hard drive, and at the end of the procedure, return them back. And the advantages of this method are as follows:
- Visualization.
- Entry into the operating system.
Convert.exe
Another way to transfer a flash drive to FAT32
operating system tools, based on the use of Convert.exe utility. The algorithm for its application is as follows:
- Open the “Run” window by pressing the “Vin” key combination (the “Windows” logo is applied on it) and R.
- Enter the command "CMD" in its field and click "Run."
- Then at the command prompt we type “convert fl: / fs: fat32 / nosecurity / x”, where “fl” is the letter designating the drive.
- After that we press "Enter".
- At the end we close all the windows and everything is ready.
Pros of using this method:
- Built in Windows.
- No need to move files from the drive.
The disadvantage of this method is that you need to use the command line. Not every user can afford it now. Everyone is used to visualization. But at the same time there is no need to copy data from a flash drive. The file system is simply converted from the old to FAT32.
Special tools
In addition to the operating system tools themselves, there is also specialized software. Using it, you can also perform such a procedure as formatting a USB flash drive for FAT32. An example is Partitionion Mijik. First you need to download this program from the Internet and install it on your computer. Then we connect the drive and run this software product. We select the USB flash drive and, using the disk utility menu, select the file system type and convert it. This method is best suited for advanced users, because you have to work with not quite standard software. For newcomers and poorly versed users, it is better to opt for one of the previously described methods.
Ubuntu
All of the previous methods are true for computers that run an operating system such as Windows 7. But in the case of Ubuntu, you can use the "Disk Utility" (located in the "System" menu) or gparted. The first of them must be installed. But with gparted, various options are possible. It may or may not be installed. Therefore, in some cases it will have to be additionally installed. These products are very similar to each other, and the algorithm for their use is identical. Which one to use depends on personal preference. But "Disk Utility" is still better suited for such a procedure as reformatting a USB flash drive to FAT32. It is installed by default.
Summary
It’s best to use the “My Computer” window for such an operation as “format the USB flash drive in FAT32”. It is both simple and reliable. If you need to save information, then you just can not do without the Convert.exe utility. But this is true for users who work with Windows 7. But with Ubuntu it is recommended to use a program such as Disk Utility. It is installed by default in the basic configuration.