Unable to open the device, GetLastError() = 32: Fix for Guiformat Error [100% Effective Guide]

Updated by

Tracy King 

Written by

Cici 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

Have you ever encountered issues while using Guiformat? If you've come across an error stating "Unable to open device, GetLastError()=32" and are unsure how to resolve it, this article will provide you with the best solutions.

What causes the "Unable to open device, GetLastError()=32" error?

Guiformat utility is also known as FAT32 formatter. The FAT32 file system is mainly used to format disks larger than 32 GB. However, there can be instances where you encounter an error while using this command. Before we delve into how to resolve it, let's understand why the "Device cannot be opened, GetLastError() = 32" error occurs. There are primarily two reasons for this issue.

1. The file or program is being used by another program.

2. You do not have administrative privileges to run the FAT32 utility.

Fear not, it's simple – just read on!

How to fix the "Failed to Open Device, GetLastError()='32'" error?

We have analyzed two possible causes for the "failed to open device getlasterror()=32" error. You need to close files and programs or run the FAT32 formatting tool with administrative privileges. You can follow these steps:

Guideline 1: Close a file or program

If the tool detects that the file is being used by another process, you can fix the “failed to open device getlasterror()=32” error by closing one of the programs. You can do this by clicking the “X” icon in the top-right corner of the program, or by disabling the program.

Step 1: Click the Windows button, then choose “Apps.”

Step 2: Tap on “Start” at the bottom.

Step 3: Select the files you want to turn off and click the "On" button on the right.

Select applications to start up

Step 4. Close the Settings window.

Step 5: Restart your computer and check if the “Device cannot be opened, GetLastError()=32” error has been fixed.

Alternatively, you can end the program by opening the Task Manager and clicking “End Task.”

Guideline 2: Run as an administrator

Another reason for the "Unable to open the device, GetLastError()=32" error is that you're not running it with administrative privileges. If you've closed other programs or no other programs are running, try running the guiformat.exe file with administrator rights. This process involves only two steps.

Step 1: Locate the Guiformat file, right-click on it, and select "Run as administrator."

Step 2. Launch FAT32 Format and try formatting the drive again.

If the error persists, you might want to try alternative formatting tools. After trying to close any open files and programs, and running FAT32 Format with administrative privileges, if the problem is not resolved, you could attempt using different formatting options.

Professional Solution for "Failed to Open Device, GetLastError()=32" Error

When Guiformat fails to format, you can also use other tools on Windows. Here we recommend a simple yet professional software: Free Disk Partition Manager. The following comparison shows why you should choose it.

From here we can see that Partition Master supports more file system formats, and the formatting speed is faster. It also supports various systems and has a very simple operation process. The steps are as follows.

- Right-click the external drive or USB you want to format, then click "Format." - Set the Volume label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and Cluster size, then click "OK." - Click "Yes" to continue. - Click "Perform 1 task" and hit "Apply" to format the hard drive partition.

What else can AOMEI Partition Assistant do?

In terms of formatting, Partition Master supports various file system formats. Additionally, as an all-in-one disk performance optimization tool, it also features:

• Initialize disk to MBR/GPT
• Upgrade disk without losing data
• Easily erase disk partitions and data
• Convert NTFS to FAT32 without losing data
• Check disk and fix corrupted file systems
• Directly convert primary partition to logical

All in all, Partition Master is a great disk management software to try out. It's an ideal utility to have for managing computer disks.

Conclusions

GUIFormat (also known as FAT32 Formatter) is a handy and free tool that allows you to easily format large disks of over 32 GB to the FAT32 file system. However, make sure you run only one file or program at a time. Otherwise, you might get an error like “Unable to open device, GetLastError()=32.”

If Guiformat does not work for you, don't worry. This article also introduces the best alternative to Guiformat – Partition Master, which provides a faster and more comprehensive disk formatting feature. It supports more file system formats besides FAT32.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on "Failed to Open Device, GetLastError()=32" "Failed to Open Device, GetLastError()=32" is a common error message typically related to issues when attempting to open a device or file. The GetLastError() function returns the error code of the most recent system call failure. Error code 32 usually signifies "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process." Here are some common questions and answers: 1. Question: Why am I getting the "Failed to Open Device, GetLastError()=32" error? Answer: This error indicates that the device or file you're trying to access is currently in use by another application, preventing your current application from opening it. 2. Question: How can I resolve this issue? Answer: First, check if any other program is using the device or file. Close any applications that might be occupying it and try again. If unsure which program is using it, restarting your computer can release resources. 3. Question: What if I can't determine which program has the device occupied? Answer: Utilize system tools like Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to view running processes and identify the application potentially using the device. 4. Question: What should I do if the issue persists? Answer: Try updating your device drivers to ensure they are up to date. If the problem remains, you may need to contact the device manufacturer or software developer for technical support. 5. Question: Is this error related to the operating system? Answer: Yes, it could be due to conflicts at the operating system level. Ensure your OS is updated to its latest version and check for any conflicting settings or permission issues. These solutions are general in nature, and the specific fix may vary depending on the device type, operating system, and individual circumstances.

This article addresses issues encountered when formatting to FAT32 using Guiformat. For more on the FAT32 file system, see here.

1. What is FAT32?

FAT32 is a disk format or file system, which is a 32-bit version of the FAT file system. It is widely used in USB drives, flash cards, and external hard disks.

2. What is FAT32 Formatting Tool?

This free and handy utility formats hard disks, SD cards, and USB drives larger than 32 GB to the FAT32 file system.

3. Can I format a 2 TB hard drive as FAT32?

Of course, you can format a 2TB drive to FAT32. However, Disk Management, Diskpart, and File Explorer support drives below 32 GB only. Hence, you can opt for a FAT32 formatting tool.