Quite often, the flash drives that were included in the kit stop working in already old devices. This is because flash memory has a limited number of write cycles. Or it becomes necessary to use more available space.

But the FAT16 file system can address a maximum of 4 GB of disk space. This means that it is impossible to format a disk partition with a size of, for example, 8 GB in FAT16. Therefore, the maximum size of a flash drive for such a device will be 4 GB. Although it is worth noting that 4 GB is an unofficial maximum capacity, fully comply with the standard of only 2 GB, but using a cluster size of 64 KB, you can double the maximum size. Most overclocking devices read without problems.

New flash drives come already formatted, usually in FAT32, which is not suitable. But if the flash drive fits into the maximum volume (4 GB or less), then it will not be difficult to reformat it.

Formatting

If the size of the flash drive is 2 GB or less, then you need to use the standard formatting tool in Windows. To do this, open "My Computer" and click right click mouse on the disk corresponding to the flash drive. Next, click on "Format ..." in the menu that appears. In the formatting program that opens, select the FAT file system (this is FAT16).

If the flash drive is more than 2 GB (for example, 4 GB), then in standard program formatting will not be the FAT file system. To format it, you will have to use the command line. To do this, go to the "Start" menu, then find the "Accessories" group, and in it - command line.

At the command prompt, type the command format x: / fs: fat, where instead of x is the letter of the flash drive (as it appears in My Computer), and press enter (Enter). The program will issue a warning about possible incompatibility and ask whether to format. Answer Y (in English keyboard layout). Then, if prompted, enter a volume label and press Enter. Now the flash drive is formatted in FAT16 and can be used in legacy devices.

What if the flash drive is more than 4 GB

If you have a flash drive larger than 4 GB, you will not be able to format it in FAT16 without reducing the size. It can be reduced by specialized programs by changing the volume of the main partition. But hardware compatibility this approach questionable, besides this, there is a risk of damaging the device (depending on the type of controller used in it). Therefore, it is easiest to purchase a 4 GB flash drive.

A large number of old devices, be it mp3 players, car radios, recorders, cameras, etc., “understand” only the FAT16 file system, while FAT32, exFAT and NTFS are not available for them. Therefore, you must first format the USB flash drive in a suitable system.

Main restrictions Quite often, the flash drives that were included in the kit stop working in already old devices. This is because flash memory has a limited number of write cycles.

Or it becomes necessary to use more available space for use. But the FAT16 file system can address a maximum of 4 GB of disk space. This means that it is impossible to format a disk partition with a size of, for example, 8 GB in FAT16. Therefore, the maximum size of a flash drive for such a device will be 4 GB. Although it is worth noting that 4 GB is the unofficial maximum capacity, only 2 GB fully meets the standard, but by using a 64 KB cluster size, you can double the maximum size. Most overclocking devices read without problems. New flash drives come already formatted, usually in FAT32, which is not suitable. But if the flash drive fits into the maximum amount (4 GB or less), then it will not be difficult to reformat it. Formatting If the size of the flash drive is 2 GB or less, then you need to use the standard formatting tool in Windows. To do this, open "My Computer" and right-click on the drive corresponding to the flash drive. Next, click on "Format ..." in the menu that appears. In the formatting program that opens, select the FAT file system (this is FAT16). If the flash drive is more than 2 GB (for example, 4 GB), then the standard formatting program will not have the FAT file system. To format it, you will have to use the command line. To do this, go to the "Start" menu, then find the "Standard" group, and in it - the command line. In the command line, type the command format x: / fs: fat, where instead of x is the letter of the flash drive (as it is displayed in "My Computer" ), and press Enter. The program will issue a warning about possible incompatibility and ask whether to format. Answer Y (in English keyboard layout). Then, if prompted, enter a volume label and press Enter. Now the flash drive is formatted in FAT16 and you can use it in outdated devices. What if the flash drive is more than 4 GB If you have a flash drive larger than 4 GB, you will not be able to format it in FAT16 without reducing the size. It can be reduced by specialized programs by changing the volume of the main partition. But compatibility with the equipment of this approach is in question, in addition, there is a risk of damaging the device (depending on the type of controller used in it). Therefore, it is easiest to purchase a 4 GB flash drive.

FAT32 (from the English. File Allocation Table - file allocation table) - the file system introduced by Microsoft in August 1996, was developed to improve previous version FAT 16.

Conceptual improvements include increasing the volume size to 8 TB versus 2 GB in FAT16 and increasing the maximum file size that the file system supports from 2 GB to 4 GB.

Although Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7 operating systems allow you to work with volumes larger than 32 GB.

Creating a disk with built-in tools will not work more than the specified value.

According to Microsoft experts, as the disk size increases over 32 GB, the performance of the file system drops sharply and a more suitable file system for creating volumes over 32 GB is NTFS.

Note that the statement regarding the choice of the NTFS file system for disks larger than 32 GB is true only for hard drives(HDD), but not for portable flash drives.

As you know, the "lifetime" of a flash drive is limited by the number of overwrites, which depends on the manufacturer and model and is approximately from 10 to 100 thousand overwrite cycles.

Unlike FAT32, NTFS maintains a so-called journal, in which the system writes all changes at the file system level, which allows more efficient data recovery in the event of a failure.

The journal maintained by the system performs a large number of write cycles, thereby reducing the life of the flash drive.

What should users do if they need to transfer files on a flash drive that are larger than 4 GB?

The answer is simple, format the flash drive to the exFAT file system.

This file system was announced by Microsoft in 2006 and is positioned as a file system designed specifically for flash drives.

It should be noted that exFAT support by the family operating systems Windows is only implemented in the second and third Service Pack (SP) for Windows XP, the first SP for Windows Vista, as well as "out of the box" for the 7th and 8th version.

Format the flash drive in FAT32

By default, most flash drives are formatted in FAT32.

You may need to re-format when incorrect work flash drive or to erase data without the possibility of recovery.

Low-level formatting a flash drive

Low-level formatting is used to erase information without the possibility of its recovery. .

This approach is important if there was and is confidential data on the flash drive and it is necessary to prevent third parties from accessing it.

Attention! It is important to remember that this procedure should not be abused unless absolutely necessary.

Standard Windows tools low-level formatting will not work, so download and install shareware HDD utility Low Level Format.

Formatting a flash drive is not only fast way cleansing him from junk files, but also the choice of a specific file system that will allow you to easily read information from this media to a wide variety of devices: PCs, laptops, radios, TVs, DVD players, game consoles, etc. Therefore, to begin with, we will analyze in which system it is best to format a flash drive for you, touching on the features of each. Then we will dwell on the formatting algorithms for the popular FAT32 and NTFS.

What is a file system

The file system is a variant of the organization of data on a particular medium. Each OS (and even has it music player) its own such system, harmoniously compatible with it. Or even several. Thus, formatting an external or HDD on a particular filesystem, you first decide which OS can read it.

Many people think that it is only possible to format a flash drive in FAT32 or NTFS, but this is a misconception. There are many more file systems. We list the most famous:

• On Windows: FAT32, exFAT, NTFS.
• On Mac OS: HFS+.
• On Linux: EXT2, EXT3.

Let's get acquainted with each of them in more detail.

FAT32

This file system is the oldest, most common and most reliable - it was she who replaced FAT16. Therefore, when deciding to format a flash drive in FAT32 or NTFS, many people traditionally choose the first option.

This is the rare format that is supported by all operating systems and almost all game consoles and other USB devices. But FAT32 puts the following restrictions: the size of one file on the disk should not be more than 4 GB, and one partition - no more than 8 TB.

On many flash drives that are sold in stores, the good old FAT is installed by default so that these drives are read by both modern and legacy devices. For hard drives, this system is not at all suitable today - in order to install a modern Windows, the drive must be formatted at least in NTFS.

Your choice is FAT32 if you want a flash drive that is supposed to store light information and that can handle the maximum number of different devices.

NTFS

Another Microsoft product. Working with a flash drive formatted in this system can be mostly Windows, sometimes Linux. "Apple" technology can only read it, and game consoles do not support it at all (Xbox, PS). NTFS allows a single file size on media larger than today's flash media, and the partition limit is 16 Eb!

In addition, the file system also includes the following features:

• recording changes to restore the system in case of a crash;
• establishing access rights to stored files;
• disk quotas;
• encryption, etc.

Thus, formatting a removable drive on this system is not practical, because it is more tailored for hard drives and for working with Windows, and not with other operating systems.

exFAT

When figuring out where it is better to format a flash drive - in FAT32 or NTFS, many people ignore the more modern exFAT, also the brainchild of Windows. And it allows you to record files of almost unlimited size, setting the limit for one partition to 64 Zb space! Windows works well with it, latest versions"apple" OS and Linux during installation additional packages. Modern versions game consoles also support exFAT, which cannot be said about the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

So, exFAT is the most modern file system from Windows, which incorporates FAT32 compatibility features and wider NTFS functionality. One disadvantage is that it only works with the latest versions of existing operating systems and is useless on devices with outdated hardware.

EXT2, 3 and HFS+

HFS+ is a file system developed by Mac OS. It also works with Linux and Xbox, it is not supported by Windows. There are practically no restrictions for the volume of one file, for a section - 8 Eb.

EXT2, 3 is a Linux product. The file size limit on a flash drive formatted in this system is 16 GB, for a partition - 32 TB. Among third-party OS, only Xbox works with this format.

How to format a flash drive to FAT32

The algorithm is very simple:

1. Connect the external drive to the computer, after the system sees it, go to "My Computer". No formatting software is required for this system.
2. RMB on the desired flash drive - "Format".
3. The desired system, as a rule, is already selected by default - you just have to click on "Start".
4. After a while, the computer will notify you that formatting is complete. That's all!

How to format a flash drive to NTFS

Formatting in this file system is more difficult, because, in fact, it is not intended for For the procedure, you will need the flash drive itself and a PC:

1. In the "Control Panel" go to "System".
2. In "Properties" you need the "Hardware" tab, and then "Device Manager".
3. Next - "Disk devices" - double-click on the desired flash drive to open its properties.
4. Then "Policy" and "Optimize for performance". Confirm the action and close the windows.
5. Now go to "My Computer", select the desired removable drive.
6. RMB by its name, then - "Format".
7. How to format a flash drive to NTFS? In the drop-down menu "File system" now appeared the desired name - select it.
8. Format the drive by clicking "Start".
9. In My Computer, go to Systems."
10. Next - "Hardware", "Device Manager" - "Disk".
11. Select a formatted removable drive, then go to its "Properties".
12. In the "Policy" check "Optimize for quick removal", confirm the choice.

Which is easier: format a flash drive in FAT32 or NTFS? The answer is obvious.

Auxiliary programs

To format a drive in a rare file system, sometimes the capabilities of one OS are not enough. Let's introduce auxiliary programs for formatting:

• In NTFS - convert.exe (built-in Windows utility), HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, Format USB Or Flash Drive Software.
• In HFS+ and for SD, SHDC, SDXC, SD-C, LLC cards - SD Formatter.
• For JetFlash, Transcend and A-DATA - JetFlash Recovery Tool.
• Support for all file systems- MiniTool Partition Wizard.

When thinking about whether to format a USB flash drive in FAT32 or NTFS, first of all note what you need this drive for - for recording large files, working with a variety of devices, storing secret data, etc. Having familiarized yourself with the pros and cons of these file systems, you can easily choose the desired formatting algorithm in this article.

Windows uses ntfs and fat32 file systems. These are the most common systems, although in addition to them there are several dozen more disk file systems (FS).

Fat32 morale outdated, so when working on modern operating systems, NTFS is most often used. Flash drives, like disks, use the NTFS file system. FAT32 has some restrictions, including the limit on the size of recorded files.

Formatting by standard means

Despite the fact that fat32 is outdated, it is often used to work with flash drives. Formatting a flash drive is quite simple, for this:

Formatting via command line

The same procedure can be carried out in a slightly different way, using command line. First, launch the console, for which you need to launch the command interpreter (pressing Win+ R), and enter into the line cmd. Click OK.

In the window that opens, enter the command: format / FS: FAT32 X: / q

X is the drive letter of the flash drive that can be viewed on my computer. Then we will receive a warning that all data will be deleted, here you should click Y to start the process.

Attention! You should carefully enter the drive letter, otherwise you may lose important information!

Formatting a flash drive in macOS

Formatting a flash drive in MacOS is also quite simple. We need to run disk utility (Finder - Applications - Disk Utility).

Then select the drive and click on the button Erase. We select the necessary system and wait for the end of the process.

Unfortunately, the latest versions of MacOS do not allow you to select the FAT32 format in the utility, for this you will have to use terminal:

• We launch terminal and enter sudo – s to get super user rights
• We enter the command diskutil listFilesystems to view all available file systems
• We are looking for the necessary FS in the list. Most often, the system of interest to us is signed as MS— DOS FAT32 .
• In the terminal window, enter the command diskutil eraseVolume "MS-DOS FAT16"XXXXX yourDISK. XXXXX- this is the name of the flash drive in Latin and only upper case. YourDISK- partition label, you can find it in the disk utility.

Using Linux

Not so widespread, but still widely known, the Linkus system also copes with the task quite easily. To change the file system of the drive is necessary.