Buzz
What's the best way to format USB on Windows 10 according to you? Let's dive deep into the optimal methods for ensuring durability and efficiency.
Currently, all USBs adhere to specific standards, each with its pros and cons. Even formatting USB can have different impacts, and to optimize durability, USBs need to be formatted correctly. Let's delve deeper into the issues surrounding USB formatting and its formats.
USB Format Types Explained
Currently, USBs on Windows support three formats: NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT. FAT32, an age-old format, is mainly used for storing small data and lacks support for files larger than 4GB. However, it has high compatibility with software applications.
Next is exFAT, considered a successor to FAT32 with numerous improvements. Its strongest feature is breaking the 4GB file size limit on partitions, offering high compatibility, even surpassing NTFS. These formats are often used on MAC computers.
Lastly, there's NTFS, the most commonly default format. It's also the most secure, with numerous functionalities from backup to encryption, benefiting your flash drive. NTFS is typically the default format during Windows installation or partitioning.
Various Methods to Format USB on Windows.
Formatting Using File Explorer
This is currently the simplest and easiest method. Simply plug in your USB and follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Click on the This Computer icon.
Then right-click on the USB drive you wish to format and select Format.
Step 2: A Format dialog box will appear. In the File System section, you can choose one of the three formats mentioned: NTFS, FAT32, exFAT. We recommend using NTFS for optimal performance. Additionally, you can name your USB drive in the Volume Label field.
Step 3: A system warning will appear. Click OK to proceed.
Step 4: Once formatting is complete, click OK to close the dialog box. Your process is now finished.
Format via Command Prompt.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu, type CMD, then right-click on the search result and select Run as Administrator.
Step 2: Command Prompt opens, you enter the command diskpart.
Step 3: Next, type the command list disk to list the hard drives in the machine.
Step 4: Next, proceed to select the drive by entering the syntax “Select Drive Order”, for example, if your USB drive is 14GB, you would enter the command Select Disk 2.
Step 5: Then, continue to enter the command Clean to erase the USB data.
Note: The Clean or Clean All command may result in complete data loss if drives C, D, E share the same hard drive, rather than being separate. Therefore, consider carefully before using this drive or skip this command and proceed to formatting later.
Step 6: Enter the following commands one by one, each ending with Enter to execute.
Enter: create partition primary
Enter: active
Step 7: Next, we will choose the format and name of the USB with the following command:
Format fs=”format” label=”usb name” quick
Specifically: format fs=ntfs label=”Mytour” quick
Step 8: This is the final step, after formatting is complete, type 'assign' to finish the command.
Here are 2 methods for you to choose the most appropriate way to format USB on Windows 10, including a basic method and a slightly advanced one. This will help you enhance your Windows usage and system exploration. Besides formatting USB to the correct standard, you should also set a USB password for protection. This is a way to limit USB formatting and increase durability. Readers can refer to how to set a USB password on Mytour, view, and practice accordingly.
