How to Format a Memory Card of Any Size to FAT32 on Windows & Mac

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Use built-in tools or third-party apps to format your memory card
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Are you trying to format an SD card to FAT32 for your 3D printer, Nintendo Switch, camera, or other device? FAT32 is one of the many types of file systems you can use on a memory card. There are a number of ways to format your SD card to FAT32, and it mostly depends on what operating system you use and how much storage the card has. Note: if you format a memory card, everything currently on the card will be erased. Be sure to move any important data off of the card before formatting.

Ways to Format an SD Card to FAT32

  • Use the built-in format tool in Windows to format an SD card with 32GB of storage or less.
  • Use a third-party tool such as the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool for bigger SD cards.
  • Use Command Prompt to create a 32GB partition, then format the partition to FAT32.
  • On Mac, use Disk Utility to format SD cards of any size to FAT32.
Section 1 of 4:

File Explorer (Windows)

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  1. If your SD card has 32GB or less of storage, you can format it to FAT32 using File Explorer in Windows. If you have a SD card with more than 32GB of storage, jump down to our section on using third-party tools .
    • Before you begin, ensure your SD card is inserted into your computer's SD card reader. If your computer doesn't have an SD card reader, you can purchase a portable SD card reader that connects via USB.
  2. You can either do this directly from the sidebar, or you can click This PC and right-click your SD card from the main pane of the File Explorer window.
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  3. This will open a pop-up window where you can continue with the formatting process.
  4. If you don't see this option, skip to the next section to use third-party tools to format your SD card instead.
  5. As soon as you click OK , your computer will begin formatting the SD card. It may take a few moments for the formatting to complete.
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Section 2 of 4:

HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool (Windows)

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  1. Download the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool . Due to limitations of the operating system, Windows can't format SD cards with more than 32GB of storage to FAT32. In order to do this on a Windows computer, you'll need a third-party tool, such as the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool. To do this:
    • Click Free download .
    • Select the download source that's closest to your region.
    • Save the file somewhere you can find it easily.
    • Right-click HPUSBDisk.exe and select Run as administrator .
  2. Make sure your SD card is inserted before you begin. If you have multiple storage devices inserted into your computer, ensure you're selecting the correct one before continuing.
    EXPERT TIP

    Garnik Ovsepyan

    Computer Specialist
    Garnik Ovsepyan is a Computer Specialist and the Owner of HeliX PC based in Burbank, California. With over 25 years of experience, Garnik specializes in custom computer builds, computer repairs, virus removal, computer tune-ups, hardware and software troubleshooting and installations, diagnostics, and data backup and recovery.
    Garnik Ovsepyan
    Computer Specialist

    Test your SD card in another computer to see if it's corrupt. Your computer should detect any SD card that's inserted into it, regardless of the file system. If your card isn't showing up, insert it into another computer. If it shows up, the issue is with your SD card reader. If not, the card is likely corrupt.

  3. Ensure that the Quick format option is also checked.
  4. As soon as you click Start , your computer will begin formatting the SD card. It may take a few moments for the formatting to complete.
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Section 3 of 4:

Command Prompt Partition (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 SD card has more or less than 32GB of storage. However, if your SD card 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 SD card won't be changed.
  2. Press Enter to run the command. [1]
  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 SD card. 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 SD card will be immediately formatted into FAT32.
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Section 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."
    • Before beginning, ensure your SD card is inserted into your Mac.
  2. It will be under the "External" heading in 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 SD card will immediately be formatted.
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      Tips

      • If your SD card has under 32GB of storage and is brand new, it is more than likely already formatted to FAT32. [2] To check, insert the SD card into your computer, open the SD card's properties, and check which file system is listed.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/diskpart
      2. ↑ https://support-in.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/25242/~/format-a-usb-flash%2C-memory-card-or-external-drive-with-the-original-file-system

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