How to format a USB flash drive in FAT32 in various ways?

When copying large files, often unprepared users have such a question: how to format a USB flash drive in FAT32? This simple operation can be done both by the system tools of the operating system "Windows 7" itself, and by specialized software. Each of these methods will be considered in detail in the context of the material that you are offering. Also, the article gives recommendations on how to perform this operation in an OS such as Ubuntu.

My Computer Menu

The simplest version of how to format a USB flash drive in FAT32 is using the "My Computer" label. The order of the work is as follows:

• We find this shortcut on the desktop. In some cases, it may be
  "Hidden" in the "Start" menu.
• We double click the right mouse button on the "My Computer" icon.
• We connect the flash drive.
• We are waiting for the icon to appear in the open window in the section "Devices with removable media".
• We direct the pointer of the manipulator on it and call the context menu with the right button.
• Choose the item "Format".
• In the opened window, in the "File system" drop-down list, select "FAT32".
• Check the box at the bottom of the "Quick" box.
• Then click "Start".
• Confirm the action by pressing "OK".
• At the end of the procedure, a message appears indicating that the operation was successful.
• Close all previously opened windows.

At the end of the work you need to check the result of this operation. For this:

• We open the window "My Computer" earlier described.
• We find a flash drive.
• Point to it with the mouse pointer and call the context menu in the manner described above.
• In the list, select Properties.
• Opposite the inscription "File system" should be written "FAT32".

If everything is so, then everything went well. Otherwise, we repeat from the very beginning the entire order of the drive transformation. This is the simplest and most convenient way of how to format a USB flash drive in FAT32. But it has one significant drawback - it is the complete destruction of information on the drive. Therefore, before performing this operation, all data must be transferred to the hard disk, and upon termination of the procedure, to return them back. And the advantages of this method are:

• Visualization.
• Entering the operating system.

Convert.exe

Another way of how to convert a USB flash drive to FAT32 Means operating system, based on the use of the utility Convert.exe. The algorithm of its application is as follows:

• Open the "Run" window by pressing the "Vin" key combination (it has the "Windows" logo on it) and R.
• Enter the command "CMD" in its field and click "Execute".
• Then, at the command prompt, type "convert fl: / fs: fat32 / nosecurity / x", where "fl" is the drive letter.
• After that press "Enter".
• When finished, close all the windows and you're done.

Pros of using this method:

• It is integrated into Windows.
• You do not need to move files from the drive.

The disadvantage of the method is that you need to use the command line. Not every user now can afford it. Everyone is used to visualization. But there is no need to copy data from the flash drive. It simply converts the file system from old to FAT32.

Special Tools

In addition to the operating system itself, there is also specialized software. With it, you can also perform such a procedure as formatting a USB flash drive under FAT32. As an example, the Partition Majik can be cited. To get started, you need to download this program from the Internet and install it on your computer. Then we connect the drive and run this software product. We select a flash drive and, using the disk utility menu, select the file system type and convert it. This method is best for advanced users, since you will have to work with not quite standard software. Beginners and poorly versed users should choose one of the previously described methods.

Ubuntu

All previous methods are valid for computers that operate under the operating system such as "Windows 7". But in the case of Ubuntu, you can use the "Disk Utility" (located in the "System" menu) or gparted. The first of these must be installed. But with gparted, various options are possible. It can be installed, and maybe not. Therefore, in some cases it will have to be installed additionally. These products are very similar to each other, and the algorithm for using them is identical. Which one to use depends on personal preferences. But "Disk Utility" is still better suited for such a procedure as reformatting a USB flash drive in FAT32. It is installed by default.

Summary

Best for such an operation as "format a USB flash drive in FAT32", use the "My Computer" window. It's simple, and reliable. If you want to save the information, you can not do without the Convert.exe utility. But this is true for users who work with Windows 7. But with Ubuntu it is recommended to use such a program as "Disk Utility". It defaults to the basic configuration.