How to Format External Hard Drive to FAT32 on Windows 10 [FAT32 Guide]?

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

Drives smaller than 32 GB:

Method 1: Format External Hard Drive to FAT32 with a Free Partition Manager (Recommended by TechRadar)
Method 2: Format External Hard Drive to FAT32 Using Command Prompt (DiskPart Command)
Method 3: Format to FAT32 in Windows 10 with PowerShell
Method 4: Convert to FAT32 Format Using File Explorer

Drives larger than 32 GB:

Format the external drive as exFAT

Can I format an external hard drive to FAT32? Check size limitations

An external hard drive larger than 32GB – If your storage device will be used across multiple operating systems, format it as exFAT.

External hard drives larger than 32 GB can be formatted to FAT32, but there are some limitations. First, FAT32 has a maximum file size limit of 4 GB, so any single file larger than this would need to be split into smaller pieces. Otherwise, you'll see the "volume too big for FAT32" error. Additionally, with an increase in the number of files to be stored, larger drives might experience slightly slower data transfer rates. Therefore, it's generally better to format larger external hard drives to exFAT.

External hard drives smaller than 32 GB – formatted as FAT32.

By contrast, smaller external drives can be safely formatted to FAT32 without issue. The 32 GB limit is ample for most file types, and data transfer rates are unaffected.

You might need to format your USB drive or SD card:

[Less than 32GB] How to Format an External Hard Drive as FAT32 in Windows 10

For beginners – use the free Partition Manager (safe: reversible if you choose the wrong steps) and the File Explorer.

For advanced users – You can use PowerShell and DiskPart.

Method 1: Format External Hard Drive to FAT32 with Free Partition Manager

With a Windows 10 computer, you can use the Partition Master Free tool to format an external hard drive to FAT32. It's a simpler method than others, and it only takes three steps to complete the formatting. This partition manager is available for free download and use, making it effortless to format your drive.

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

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

<Step 3> Click Yes in the warning window to proceed.

Step 4. Click on “Execute 1 Task” button located at the top-left corner to proceed with the changes and hit “Apply” to start formatting the external hard drive/USB/SD card.

【Resource】Video Tutorial - How to Format a Hard Drive to FAT32 in Windows 10

This video tutorial explains the features of a file system and demonstrates how to format a hard drive as FAT32 using three different tools.

Please provide the English content you want to translate, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt (DiskPart Command) - Format External Hard Drive to FAT32

The utility DiskPart, which comes built-in with Windows 10, allows you to format a drive to FAT32 from the Command Prompt with some flexible options.

Important: Make sure you type the correct letter for the target drive. Otherwise, you might clean the wrong disk. Warning: Data loss!

1. Plug the external hard drive into your computer.

2. Check your drive letter for the external device - Open File Explorer > Click on "This PC" > Go to "Devices and Drives," and take note of your drive letter (e.g., D, E, etc.).

3. Type “Command Prompt” in the Windows search, right-click the most relevant result, and select “Run as administrator.”

4. Press the Enter key after each command.

1. Open diskpart
2. list disk
3. select disk X (replace X with the number of your external drive)
4. create partition primary
5. select partition 1
6. active
7. format fs=fat32
8. assign
9. exit

Method 3: Format FAT32 in Windows 10 via PowerShell

1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer.

2. Click the Start icon, type PowerShell into the search box, and then click Windows PowerShell.

3. Type the command and press Enter.

Format /FS:FAT32 X (replace 'X' with the actual letter of your external hard drive. If your external drive is labeled 'O', you would input 'format /FS:FAT32 O:')

Method 4: Format to FAT32 Using File Explorer

1. Connect your external hard drive to your computer.

2. Click "This PC" on the left side of the window.

3. Under the “Devices and drives” tab, right-click on your external hard drive, then select “Format” from the menu.

4. Choose “FAT32” as your file system.

5. Name your disk label.

6. Check the "Quick format" option.

7. Click “Start.”

Wait until the formatting is complete, and then click OK.

[For External Hard Drives Larger than 32GB] Format External Hard Drive to exFAT

Format as exFAT through Disk Management:

Step 1: Right-click the "Start" icon and select "Disk Management".

See More ways to access Disk Management in Windows.

Step 2. Right-click the drive you want to format and select "Format."

Step 3: Choose the exFAT format, then click “OK.”

Conclusions

This tutorial will show you how to format an external hard drive as FAT32 on Windows 10.

One way is to use a third-party tool, like “Partition Master Free.” This tool is straightforward and user-friendly, especially for beginners. Another option is to run the built-in “Disk Management” tool. You can find it under “ Administrative Tools ” in Control Panel. A third choice is to use the command-line tool “Diskpart.” This tool is more advanced and requires some familiarity with the Command Prompt. The final option is to use PowerShell. Like Diskpart, this tool is more advanced and requires some knowledge of how to use PowerShell.

Frequently Asked Questions on Formatting External Hard Drive to FAT32 in Windows 10 (UTF-8)

Want more tips on formatting a disk? Check out the FAQ.

How do I format as FAT32 instead of exFAT in Windows 10?

Windows 10 allows you to format a drive as FAT32 or exFAT. To format a drive as FAT32 in Windows 10, do the following:

1. Open "This PC" and select the drive you want to format.

2. Right-click on the drive and select "Format."

Under “File system,” select FAT32.

4. Click “Start” to format the disk.

2. Can a 1TB HDD be formatted to FAT32?

Yes, you can format a 1TB HDD to FAT32. To do this, you'll need a computer running the Windows operating system. Here's how: 1. Open "My Computer" or "This PC" (depending on your version of Windows). 2. Right-click on the 1TB HDD that you want to format. 3. From the context menu, select "Format." 4. In the Format window, choose "FAT32" as the file system. 5. Click on "Start." 6. If prompted to confirm the drive formatting, click "Yes." The process might take a few minutes to complete. Once it's done, your 1TB HDD will be formatted to FAT32.

Why can't I format to FAT32?

Your disk might be larger than 32 GB.