What is the best free PNY USB Flash Drive Formatting Tool to download?

Updated by

Tracy King 

Written by

Linda 

Updated on April 19, 2024

The PNY USB flash drive is one of the fastest and most resilient USB sticks available worldwide. As a result, it's commonly used for transferring and storing critical data. Nevertheless, there might be situations where you need to format your PNY USB flash drive, such as when dealing with a write-protected drive. Here's a genuine scenario from Super User:

Therefore, we have rounded up the top three PNY USB flash drive format tools to help you freely format the PNY USB in this guide. Keep reading to find out how to use these available format tools.

How to Format PNY USB Flash Drive - 3 Free Tools

In this section, we will delve into the PNY USB flash drive formatting tool in detail. The complexity of the operations determines the sequence of presentation: from simplest to most intricate. Before utilizing these tools, it is advisable to copy and backup the data on your PNY USB flash drive, as the formatting process will erase all files and potentially result in data loss.

#1. Partition Master Tool - The Best USB Formatting Tool

The tools Partition Master tool has got you covered for USB formatting. With its "Format" feature, you can easily and efficiently format the PNY USB flash drive, even when it's write-protected. This is also a powerful and user-friendly partition management software that allows you to perform various hard drive and partition management tasks.

Simple Steps to Format PNY USB Flash Drive using the Best USB Formatter:

Step 1. Launch tools Partition Master, right-click the partition on your external hard drive/USB/SD card which you want to format and choose the "Format" option.

Step 2. Assign a new partition label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and cluster size to the selected partition, and then click "OK".

Step 3. In the Warning window, click "Yes" to continue.

Step 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button in the upper-left corner to review the changes, then click "Apply" to begin formatting your external hard drive, USB, or SD card.

The Versatility of Partition Master Tools

Refer to this list for more applicable scenarios of the tool Partition Master:

• Fix PNY 128 GB Flash Drive Write Protected.
• Prepare bootable media for system recovery or OS installation.
• Fix Can't Format USB Drive on Windows.

Try out these amazing features after downloading this awesome app:

#2. File Explorer

The second option for formatting the PNY USB is File Explorer, which is compatible with all Windows systems. This user-friendly built-in tool is free, but it functions only when the external hard drive is detectable on your computer.

Step 1. Press the "Windows + E" keys to open the Windows "File Explorer". Locate the PNY USB that needs to be formatted and select the "Format" option.

Step 2. Rename the USB flash drive and assign its file system to NTFS or other formats.

Step 3. Click "Start" to complete the formatting.

To discover more of the best hard disk formatting tools, you can refer to the following article and explore:

6 Best Hard Drive Disk Format Tools

On this page, you will find the top 6 hard drive disk format utilities, allowing you to format your hard drive and USB flexibly.

#3. Disk Management

Disk Management is a full-featured tool that Windows designed to manage users' disks/partitions/volumes.

Here is your ultimate guide:

Step 1. Press "Windows + X" or right-click "This PC" in File Explorer, and select "Manage" to open "Disk Management."

Step 2. Right-click the target PNY USB flash drive and select "Format."

Format drive in Disk Management

Step 3. Set the volume label and file system, then click "OK" to begin formatting the drive.

Share this page online to help others format the PNY USB flash drive with reliable tools:

#4. Command Prompt

One of the most common methods to format the PNY USB is by using diskpart commands. This Windows-based utility, though a mixed blessing, allows users to format the external hard drive; however, it's complicated and can damage your device if used incorrectly.

Carefully follow these steps to format the PNY USB flash drive using Command Prompt:

Step 1. Connect the PNY USB flash drive to your computer and press "Windows + R."

Step 2. Type cmd in the Run search box and press "Enter" to open the CMD.

Step 3. Enter the following command lines one by one, and press Enter after each:

Translate the following text into English:
1. diskpart
2. list disk
3. select disk & (Replace & with the number of your PNY USB drive.)
4. list volume
5. select volume % (Where % is the PNY USB's volume number.)
6. format fs=ntfs quick (Where NTFS can be replaced with FAT32 or exFAT.)

Step 4. Type exit to close Diskpart.

Conclusion

As you can see above, this page features three robust PNY USB flash drive formatting tools. Along with basic information, it also supplies step-by-step guidelines on how to utilize them. In comparison to other PNY USB formatting utilities, Partition Tool stands out with several advantages, such as comprehensive functionality, an intuitive user interface, high data security and system compatibility, and detailed guidance. Install this free tool on your computer to assist in resolving various disk issues.

FAQs of PNY USB Flash Drive Format Tool

In this section, we've gathered several related questions about the PNY USB flash drive formatting tool for your further reading. Feel free to review the answers and gain more knowledge:

**1. Does PNY USB 2.0 use the FAT32 file system?**

Yes, by default, the PNY USB 2.0 flash drive uses the FAT32 file system, which has a 4GB file size limitation. As they are universal, they can be used in most computers with a USB port.

**2. How can I format my PNY 64 GB flash drive to FAT32?**

Here are the quick steps to format your PNY 64 GB flash drive to FAT32 on Windows: 1. **Connect the Flash Drive**: Plug the PNY 64 GB USB flash drive into your computer's USB port. 2. **Open File Explorer**: Click on the File Explorer icon (usually located on the taskbar or press the Windows key + E) to open it. 3. **Locate the Drive**: In the left pane of File Explorer, find and right-click on the PNY 64 GB flash drive, which will be listed under "This PC" or "Devices with Removable Storage." 4. **Format the Drive**: From the context menu, select "Format." 5. **Choose File System**: In the Format window that appears, under "File system," select "FAT32" from the drop-down list. 6. **Allocation Unit Size**: Typically, you can leave the "Allocation Unit Size" at its default setting, but if you're working with large files, choosing a larger size might be beneficial. 7. **Volume Label**: Optionally, you can enter a name for the drive in the "Volume label" field. 8. **Check "Quick Format"**: To speed up the process, ensure the "Quick Format" option is checked. 9. **Start Formatting**: Click on the "Start" button to begin the formatting process. A warning message will appear, reminding you that all data will be erased. Click "OK" to proceed. 10. **Wait for Completion**: Wait for the formatting to finish, which should only take a few moments. Once completed, the drive will be formatted to FAT32. Remember to backup any important data before formatting, as the process will erase all content on the drive.

1. In Windows, select "This PC" in File Explorer. 2. Choose "Storage" > "Disk Management." 3. Right-click on your PNY USB and click "Format." 4. From the format drop-down menu, choose FAT32 and click "OK."

3. How do I check if my PNY USB is formatted as FAT32 or exFAT?

Here's how you can determine if your PNY USB drive uses FAT32 or exFAT:

Right-click the drive in Disk Management and select "Properties" from the menu. A new window will display all the details about your drive, including its file system. If it says "exFAT" or "NTFS," it means your current format is not FAT32. If it reads "FAT32," then it is already in the desired format.