How to Format an External Drive to FAT32 on Windows & Mac

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An in-depth guide to formatting an HDD to FAT32
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Since the FAT32 file system is not made for drives that are larger than 32 GB, you won't see an option to use it in the typical Windows formatting tools. This wikiHow teaches you how to format your external hard drive in the FAT32 format on a Windows computer.

All the Ways to Format an External HDD to FAT32

On Windows, you can use Windows Powershell or the Command Prompt to format a drive larger than 32GB to FAT32. If your drive is less than 32GB, you can use File Explorer. On macOS, you can use DiskUtility to format your drive.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Windows Powershell (Windows)

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  1. If you haven't already done so, use a USB cable to connect your external hard drive to an available USB port on your PC.
    • If the drive is larger than 2 TB, you can't format it as FAT32. [1] If your goal is to make the drive compatible with as many operating systems as possible, use the exFAT file system instead.
    • If you're using a laptop, make sure it's plugged into a reliable power source. Formatting the drive can take about an hour, depending on the drive's size and speed.
  2. To format the drive, you'll need to know which letter represents it on your PC. Here's how:
    • Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
    • Double-click This PC in the left panel.
    • Now look at the right panel under "Devices and drives." Each connected drive has a letter, such as C: or D:. Make note of the one assigned to your external hard drive.
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  3. This opens the Windows Power User menu.
  4. This opens an administrator-level command prompt.
    • If you see PowerShell (Admin) instead, click that. The commands will be the same whether you're using Command Prompt or PowerShell.
  5. You'll need to replace the "X" with the correct letter of your external hard drive. Here's the command: format /FS:FAT32 X:
    • For example, if your external hard drive is E:, you'd type format /FS:FAT32 E:
  6. You'll see a message that says all of the data on the drive will be lost. This is required for formatting the drive.
  7. Windows will now format the drive as FAT32.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Diskpart Command (Windows)

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  1. To do this, type "cmd" into the taskbar search bar, right-click "Command Prompt," and click Run as administrator .
    • This method works whether your external drive has more or less than 32GB of storage. However, if your external drive has more than 32GB, this method will create a 32GB partition that will be formatted to FAT32. The rest of the storage space on the external drive won't be changed.
  2. Press Enter to run the command. [2]
  3. Press Enter to run the command.
  4. Replace the # with the disk number from the disk list in step 3.
  5. Press Enter to run the command.
  6. This will create a 32GB partition on your external drive. Press Enter to run the command.
  7. Replace [letter] with the drive letter you want to give the partition. Press Enter to run the command.
  8. Press Enter to run the command.
  9. Replace the # with the partition number from the partition list in step 8. Press Enter to run the command.
  10. Press Enter to run the command. The 32GB partition on the external drive will be immediately formatted into FAT32.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

File Explorer (Windows)

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  1. If you haven't already done so, use a USB cable to connect your external hard drive to an available USB port on your PC.
    • This method should work as long as your external hard drive is smaller than 32 GB.
  2. You can also open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E .
  3. It's on the left panel.
  4. It'll be in the right panel. A menu will expand.
  5. This opens the "Format" dialog, which is a small window containing some formatting tools.
  6. This option will only appear if the drive is smaller than 32 GB.
  7. You can keep the default name or change it if you'd like. This is just how the drive shows up when connected to the computer.
  8. This drastically speeds up the formatting process.
    • The only reason you might want to avoid using quick scan is if you're getting rid of the external hard drive and worried that someone with amazing tech skills will be able to access your deleted data. Since you're formatting as FAT32, it's safe to assume you have a reason to still use the drive!
  9. When the formatting is complete, you'll see a message that tells you so.
  10. Your external hard drive is now formatted in the FAT32 format.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Disk Utility (macOS)

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  1. The fastest way to do this is to open Spotlight (either by clicking on the icon in the dock, or by pressing Cmd+Space ) and type "disk utility."
  2. It will be under the "External" heading on the left-hand sidebar.
  3. This button is located in the upper-right part of the window.
  4. This option is the same as FAT32 on a Windows system.
  5. The external drive will immediately be formatted.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.microcenter.com/tech_center/article/4514/how-to-format-an-external-hard-drive-as-fat32-in-windows-7
      2. ↑ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/diskpart

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Connect the hard drive to the PC.
      2. Find the letter of the hard drive.
      3. Press Windows key + X .
      4. Click Command prompt (Admin) .
      5. Type "format /FS:FAT32 X:" (replace X with the drive letter).
      6. Press Enter .
      7. Press Y .
      8. Press Enter .

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