Jump to:
- File Explorer
- Disk Management
- PowerShell
- Command Prompt
On Windows 10, the ability to format a USB flash drive can be helpful in many scenarios. For instance, sometimes, you may need to reformat a removable storage device to ensure it does not contain malicious code. Or when the thumb drive is not accessible because of data corruption, you received a flash drive using a file system incompatible with your platform, or you plan to get rid of the storage device and want to make sure you are not leaving behind any personal information.
Regardless of the reason, Windows 10 includes several tools to format all kinds of storage (such as USB flash drives) using File Explorer, Disk Management, Command Prompt, and PowerShell.
This guide will walk you through the steps to format a USB flash drive to quickly erase its contents or fix problems when the device isn't recognized.
Warning: These instructions will erase everything on the selected drive. If you have any important files, you should back them up before proceeding.
How to format USB flash drive from File Explorer
To format a USB flash drive from File Explorer on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click on This PC from the left pane.
- Under the "Devices and drives" section, right-click the flash drive and select the Format option.
- Use the "File system" drop-down menu and select the NTFS option.
- Quick tip: If you plan to use the removable storage on Windows 10 and macOS systems, you may want to select the "exFAT" option for compatibility. However, if you think you might use the device on a Linux machine, "FAT32" is the best option, even though you will be limited to 4GB file sizes.
- Use the default selection in the "Allocation unit size" drop-down menu.
- In the "Volume label" field, confirm a drive name that will appear in File Explorer. For example, workUSB.
- Under the "Format options" section, select the Quick format option.
- Quick note: The "Quick format" option only deletes the file system table and the root folder, but the data may still be recoverable. If you do not check the setting, a full format operation will be performed, and it will scan for bad sectors and write zeros in all sectors deleting the data. As a result, this process can take a long time, depending on the drive size.
- Click the Start button.
- Click the Yes button.
Once you complete the steps, the flash drive will be ready to store documents, pictures, videos, and other files.
How to format USB flash drive from Disk Management
On Disk Management, you have at least two ways to format a USB flash drive. You can format the storage to rebuild the file system table and erase the content, or you can delete the partition that comes in handy to fix storage problems.
Format flash drive
To use Disk Management to format a USB drive on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for "Create and format hard disk partitions" and click the top result to open the Disk Management app.
- Right-click the removable drive and select the Format option.
- In the "Volume label" field, confirm a name to identify the storage in File Explorer.
- Use the "File system" drop-down menu and select the NTFS option. (You can also choose the "FAT32" or "exFAT" option.)
- Use the Default option in the "Allocation unit size" drop-down menu.
- Check the "Perform a quick format" option.
- (Optional) Check the "Enable file and folder compression" option.
- Click the OK button.
After you complete the steps, the drive will be erased and reformatted to store data again.
Clean and format flash drive
When the USB drive is experiencing problems, it's best to clean it and start again from scratch with a new partition and file system.
To clean and format a USB flash drive on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for "Create and format hard disk partitions" and click the top result to open the Disk Management tool.
- Right-click the removable storage and select the Delete volume option.
- Click the Yes button.
- Right-click the "Unallocated" space and choose the "New Simple Volume" option.
- Click the Next button.
- Click the Next button again to use all the available space.
- Select the "Assign the following drive letter" option.
- Use the drop-down menu to select one of the available letters.
- Quick tip: If you assign a letter manually, it is best to select a letter in reverse order (Z, Y, X, and so on).
- Click the Next button.
- Select the "Format this volume with the following settings" option.
- Use the File system drop-down menu and select the NTFS option.
- Quick note: Using this method, you can only use "NTFS" or "FAT32." If you need to format the drive using "exFAT," you will need to use Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- Use the Default option for the "Allocation unit size" setting.
- Type a label in the "Volume label" field to quickly identify the flash drive on File Explorer.
- Check the "Perform a quick format" option. (If you clear the setting, a full format will take place that can take some time, depending on the storage size.)
- (Optional) Check the "Enable file and folder compression" option.
- Click the Next button.
- Click the Finish button.
Once you complete the steps, the process will create a new partition and set up the file system, fixing common problems with the flash drive, including data corruption.
How to format USB flash drive from PowerShell
PowerShell is another tool that allows you to format a USB flash drive to delete its contents. In addition, the command-line tool can be used to clean and format the storage to resolve corruption and other problems.
Format flash drive using PowerShell
To format a USB flash drive using PowerShell commands on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
- Type the following command to perform a quick format on the flash drive and press Enter: Format-Volume -DriveLetter DRIVE-LETTER -FileSystem FILE-SYSTEM -NewFileSystemLabel DRIVE-NAME
In the command, replace DRIVE-LETTER with the correct letter reflecting the drive you want to format, FILE-SYSTEM for FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS, and DRIVE-NAME with the name you want the device to appear in File Explorer.
This example performs a quick format of the "F" drive with the NTFS file system: Format-Volume -DriveLetter F -FileSystem NTFS -NewFileSystemLabel workUSB
- (Optional) Type the following command to perform a full format of the USB flash drive and press Enter: Format-Volume -DriveLetter DRIVE-LETTER -FileSystem FILE-SYSTEM -Full -Force
In the command, replace DRIVE-LETTER with the correct letter reflecting the drive you want to format and FILE-SYSTEM for FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS, depending on the file system you want to use. If you do not know and are on Windows 10, you should use NTFS. The Full option tells the command to perform a full format, and the -Force option specifies the override switch.
This example performs a full format of the "F" drive: Format-Volume -DriveLetter F -FileSystem NTFS -Full -Force
After you complete the steps, PowerShell will format the storage with the settings you specified.
Clean and format flash drive using PowerShell
To clean and format a removable drive with PowerShell commands, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
- Type the following command to view the flash drive you want to fix and press Enter: Get-Disk
- Type the following command to delete the volume and press Enter: Get-Disk DISK-NUMBER | Clear-Disk -RemoveData
In the command, change DISK-NUMBER for the correct number for the flash drive you are formatting.
This example selects and cleans disk number 2: Get-Disk 2 | Clear-Disk -RemoveData
- Type Y to confirm the action and press Enter.
- Type the following command to create a new partition and press Enter: New-Partition -DiskNumber DISK-NUMBER -UseMaximumSize
In the command, change DISK-NUMBER to the correct number for the storage you are formatting.
This example creates a new partition using the entire space available on drive number 2: New-Partition -DiskNumber 2 -UseMaximumSize
- Type the following command to perform a quick format and assign a drive label, and press Enter: Get-Partition -DiskNumber DISK-NUMBER | Format-Volume -FileSystem FILE-SYSTEM -NewFileSystemLabel DRIVE-NAME
In the command, change DISK-NUMBER for the number that identifies the storage in the system, FILE-SYSTEM for "NTFS," "FAT32," or "exFAT," and DRIVE-NAME with the name you want the device to appear in File Explorer.
This example selects, and formats drive number 2 using the NTFS file system: Get-Partition -DiskNumber 2 | Format-Volume -FileSystem NTFS -NewFileSystemLabel workUSB
- Type the following command to assign a new letter to the drive and press Enter: Get-Partition -DiskNumber DISK-NUMBER | Set-Partition -NewDriveLetter DRIVE-LETTER
In the command, replace DISK-NUMBER for the number that identifies the storage in the system and DRIVE-LETTER with the letter you want the device to appear in File Explorer.
This example sets "E" as the drive letter for disk number 2: Get-Partition -DiskNumber 2 | Set-Partition -NewDriveLetter E
After you complete the steps, PowerShell will delete the data on the removable USB storage to fix problems, including corruption, write protection, and unrecognized drives. Then it will create a new partition and configure a file system to store files.
How to format USB flash drive from Command Prompt
You can use the Command Prompt to clean the drive and start fresh with a new partition and file system table.
Format flash drive using command-line
To perform a quick or full format on a USB flash drive with Command Prompt on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
- Type the following command to perform a quick format of the USB flash drive and press Enter: format VOLUME: /v:FLASHDRIVE-LABEL /fs:FILE-SYSTEM /q
In the command, make sure to replace the VOLUME with the correct drive letter of the storage, FLASHDRIVE-LABEL with the name you want the drive to appear in File Explorer, FILE-SYSTEM with one of the available file systems, including "FAT32," "exFAT," or "NTFS."
This example performs a quick format of the E drive: format E: /v:workUSB /fs:NTFS /q
- Press Enter again to continue.
- (Optional) Type the following command to perform a full format of the USB flash drive and press Enter: format VOLUME: /v:FLASHDRIVE-LABEL /fs:FILE-SYSTEM
This example performs a full format of the E drive: format E: /v:"workUSB" /fs:NTFS
- Press Enter again to continue.
After completing the steps, the thumb drive will be formatted with the specified settings.
Clean and format flash drive using command-line
To clean and format a flash drive with commands on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
- Type the following command to launch the DiskPart tool and press Enter: diskpart
- Type the following command to view a list of the available drives and press Enter: list disk
- Type the following command to select the flash drive you want to delete and press Enter: select disk DISK-NUMBER
In the command, replace DISK-NUMBER with the number for the drive you are trying to format.
This example selects the flash drive listed as disk number 2: select disk 2
- Type the following command to delete all the partitions on the storage and press Enter: clean
- Type the following command to create a primary partition and press Enter: create partition primary
- Type the following command to perform a quick format and press Enter: format fs=FILE-SYSTEM label=DRIVE-NAME quick
In the command, make sure to replace FILE-SYSTEM for your preferred file system, including "FAT32," "exFAT," or "NTFS." Also, replace DRIVE-NAME with the name you want to give the device. If you do not specify the "quick" option, then a full format will be performed.
This example quickly formats the removable storage using the NTFS file system and applies the "workUSB" name: format fs=NTFS label=workUSB quick
- Type the following command to assign a drive letter and press Enter: assign
Quick note: You can append "letter=E" in the command to assign (in this case) "E" as the drive letter. Otherwise, the system will assign a letter automatically.
- Type the following command to close DiskPart and press Enter: exit
Once you complete the steps, the DiskPart tool will remove any information from the USB flash drive. It will create a new partition and configure a compatible file system to store files from your Windows 10, macOS, or Linux machine (depending on your configuration).
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
- Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
- Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know
(opens in new tab)
Windows 11
Cutting-edge operating system
A refreshed design in Windows 11 enables you to do what you want effortlessly and safely, with biometric logins for encrypted authentication and advanced antivirus defenses.
Windows Central Newsletter
Get the best of Windows Central in in your inbox, every day!
Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.
FAQs
How to fix USB flash drive Windows was unable to complete the format? ›
Step 1: Go to Disk Management. Step 2: Pick the drive where you received the “Windows was unable to complete the format hard drive.” error message. Step 3: Right-click on it and select the Format option.
How do I format a USB drive to full capacity? ›- Select the USB drive to format. Connect the USB drive or pen drive to your computer. ...
- Set the drive letter and file system on USB. ...
- Check "Yes" to confirm formatting USB. ...
- Apply the changes.
- Connect the USB storage device to the computer.
- Open Disk Utility.
- Click to select the USB storage device in the left panel.
- Click to change to the Erase tab.
- In the Volume Format: selection box, click. MS-DOS File System. ...
- Click Erase. ...
- At the confirmation dialog, click the Erase.
- Close the Disk Utility window.
NTFS is the default file system for Windows 10. This is because it has no file limitations and supports file compression. It's unlike FAT32, which limits a single file to 32GB. Therefore, you should use NTFS for your Windows 10 bootable USB drive to ensure the system successfully installs.
Why does my USB flash drive not want to format? ›The USB drive may get corrupted or damaged and caused the computer can't format USB. The common reasons caused the error can be that the USB drive got virus-infected, USB bad sectors, physical damage, and the file system crashed.
How do I fix a corrupted flash drive without formatting Windows 10? ›- Stop using the USB drive.
- Do not add new items to USB stick.
- Do not reformat the USB flash drive.
- Open CMD. ...
- Check if your drive has bad sectors. ...
- chkdsk H: /f (H is the drive letter of USB drive. ...
- Type Y if the drive is in use and hit Enter key to proceed.
- Right-click your USB and then choose Format.
- In the pop window, select the file system as FAT32, then click OK.
- Click the Execute Operation button.
- Press the Start button and select This PC to open the File Explorer.
- Right-click on the USB drive that you want to format to FAT32 and select Format in the menu.
- Click the File system drop-down menu and choose FAT32 if it isn't already mentioned.
Type and search [File Explorer] in the Windows search bar①, then click [Open]②. In the File Explorer window, select [This PC]③. Right-click your USB flash drive④, then select [Format]⑤. Select File system to [FAT32]⑥, then select [Start]⑦.
Should I use NTFS or FAT32 for USB? ›The FAT32 file system is suitable for smaller capacity flash memory devices (such as memory cards, USB drives, and other storage devices), while the NTFS file system is suitable for large capacity disks.
Does formatting a USB fix it? ›
If the file system on your USB becomes corrupted, Windows will not know how to navigate it and access your data. Therefore, it will suggest formatting it to repair it.
Is exFAT better than NTFS? ›In a debate regarding exFAT vs NTFS vs FAT32, NTFS is the best format for storage devices with Windows operating system. However, exFAT is best for portable storage devices due to more efficient power and memory management. It also allows you to use a storage device on both Windows and macOS.
What is the best file system to format a USB drive? ›exFAT is the ideal file system for USB flash drives. It doesn't have the 4GB file size limit and it's compatible with most Windows and Mac operating systems. Older operating systems might require an update to properly read and write to a USB drive with an exFAT file system.
What format should a USB flash drive be to install Windows 10? ›Windows USB install drives are formatted as FAT32, which has a 4GB filesize limit.
What format should USB be for Windows 10? ›Of those three common formats, FAT32 is the oldest and most widely supported. Every major operating system will allow you to read and write from a USB flash drive that's formatted to FAT32. Meanwhile, macOS can only read NTFS drives, and you would need to install third-party software to write back to the drive.
How do I force a drive to format? ›Right click on the drive and select Format. Enter a name for the drive in Volume label and select the format type in the File system dropdown box. Click OK. It will take a short while to delete all the files and change the format of the disk.
How do I fix a corrupted USB flash drive? ›...
Here is how to fix a USB drive in CMD using the CHKDSK command:
- Run Command Prompt as administrator.
- In the CMD console, type chkdsk X: /r (replace X with the drive letter of your USB drive), and press Enter.
- Wait for CHKDSK to finish scanning and repairing the USB drive.
If your USB file system is corrupted, your USB cannot be opened and accessed. In addition to repairing damaged file systems with the Windows Disk check tool, you can also use the CHKDSK command lines in Command Prompt to fix the corrupted USB drive and recover files.
How to fix a corrupted flash drive using command prompt? ›- Open the start menu and type “cmd”. Hit Enter on your keyboard.
- Enter the following command (make sure to replace DRIVE_LETTER with the letter assigned to the hard drive you want to fix) and press Enter: chkdsk DRIVE_LETTER: /r.
- Wait for CHKDSK to finish.
- Run CMD as administrator.
- Type chkdsk X: /r in the console and press Enter. Replace X: with the drive letter of a flash drive.
- CHKDSK will scan and attempt to fix the corrupted USB flash drive.
How do I force a USB drive to format Windows? ›
- Insert a USB drive into a USB port.
- Open File Explorer.
- Click on This PC from the left pane.
- Under the "Devices and drives" section, right-click the flash drive and select the Format option.
- Use the "File system" drop-down menu and select the preferred option.
This message appears when the file system on your flash drive has been corrupted or damaged to the point where it's no longer readable by your system. As a result, Windows automatically says the USB needs to be formatted in order to repair it.
How do I solve the you need to format the drive problem in Windows without formatting? ›- Press the "Windows" key and type cmd.
- Right-click "Comand Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator".
- In the CMD window, type chkdsk G: /f and hit "Enter". ...
- Then Windows will start checking and repairing disk errors and damaged files.
- Open Device Manager and then disconnect the USB device from your computer. Wait a few moments and then reconnect the device. ...
- Connect the USB device to another USB port.
- Connect the USB device to another computer.
- Update the USB device drivers.
Answer: Press the ''F11'' or ''F12'' key when you restart the system. Select the option to reset to factory settings. The system will then boot itself with restored factory settings.
How do I fix an unreadable flash drive using CMD? ›- Again, run Command Prompt as administrator. ...
- In the CMD console, type chkdsk X: /r (replace X with the drive letter of your USB drive), and press Enter.
- Wait for CHKDSK to finish scanning and repairing the USB drive.
If your USB says it's full, but no files are showing on your flash drive, it's most likely a logical issue like filesystem errors or bad sectors. Filesystem errors and bad sectors aren't exclusive to flash drives though. If you're unable to access your SD card, that could also be potentially because of a logical issue.
Why Windows was unable to complete the format? ›If your device is locked or infected by virus or unknown malware, Windows computer won't be able to format your USB, SD card, or other storage devices. The best way to get rid of this issue is to run virus cleaning software and unlock the device.
Is exFAT better for flash drives? ›In a debate regarding exFAT vs NTFS vs FAT32, NTFS is the best format for storage devices with Windows operating system. However, exFAT is best for portable storage devices due to more efficient power and memory management. It also allows you to use a storage device on both Windows and macOS.
What format is best for USB drive Windows 10? ›Which File Format Should You Use for USB Drives? The exFAT format is the best file format for USB drives. It is fast, efficient, and has a much smaller overhead than NTFS. Unlike FAT32, it is not limited to 4 GB of storage, making it suitable for high-capacity pen drives.
How to format a flash drive using command prompt? ›
- Type "diskpart" and press Enter.
- Type "list disk" and press Enter.
- Type "select disk [Your disk]" and press Enter.
- Type "clean" and press Enter.
- Type "create partition primary" and press Enter.
- Type "format fs=ntfs" and press Enter.
- Type "exit" and press Enter.
Yes, you can fix a corrupted hard drive by formatting it with a new file system. Logical hard drive corruption is often caused by a damaged or corrupted file system. Formatting the partition will correct this.