How to Format SD Card to FAT32 on Windows 11/10? [7 Free Methods]

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Tracy King 

Updated on April 22, 2024

How to format SD card to FAT32? Can I format a large SD card like 64GB or 128GB to FAT32? Follow this tutorial, and you'll find 7 free and reliable methods to format SD cards to FAT32 on your own:

Why Need to Format SD Card to FAT32

FAT32, or File Allocation Table 32, is a file system format designed to store data in 32-bit clusters. Owing to its high compatibility, it is commonly used on various storage devices for both Windows and Mac computers.

Aside from FAT32 compatibility, here's a list of reasons that can account for why individuals might want to format their SD card to FAT32:

• FAT32 is supported by most operating systems - Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.
• FAT32 is compatible with gaming consoles.
• Supports a maximum file size of 4GB.
• Supports a maximum volume size of 32GB on Windows.
• Supports a maximum partition size of 2TB on other operating systems.

So, how can I format my SD card to FAT32? Is there a reliable SD card formatter that allows me to format the SD card to any desired file system with just a few clicks?

Follow along and find the answer in the next section right away.

?Read More: How to Format SD Card Using CMD | Full Details

How to Format SD Card to FAT32 on Windows 10/11 [7 Free Formatting Methods] If you need assistance with formatting an SD card to FAT32 on Windows 10 or 11, there are several free methods available. Here's a step-by-step guide for each method: 1. **Windows built-in format tool:** - Connect the SD card to your computer. - Press `Win + E` to open File Explorer. - Right-click on the SD card and select "Format." - Choose "FAT32" as the file system. - Click "OK," then "Format" to begin. 2. **Command Prompt:** - Open Command Prompt as an administrator. - Type `diskpart` and press Enter. - Type `list disk` and press Enter to view disks. - Identify your SD card and type `select disk X`, replacing X with the disk number. - Type `clean` and press Enter to erase data. - Type `create partition primary` and press Enter. - Type `format fs=fat32 quick` and press Enter to format. - Type `exit` twice to close the Command Prompt. 3. **Third-party formatting tools (e.g., tools Partition Master Free):** - Download and install a reliable third-party tool like tools Partition Master. - Launch the software and select the SD card. - Choose "Format" from the action bar. - Select "FAT32" as the file system and click "OK." - Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete. 4. **MiniTool Partition Wizard Free:** - Download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard. - Launch the application and locate the SD card. - Right-click and choose "Format Partition." - Select "FAT32" as the file system and click "OK." - Click "Apply" to execute the operation. 5. ** Rufus (bootable media creation tool):** - Download Rufus and run it. - Connect the SD card to your computer. - In the "Device" dropdown, select your SD card. - Choose "FAT32" under "File system." - Leave other settings as default and click "Start" to format. 6. **SD Memory Card Formatter:** - Download and install the official SD Memory Card Formatter tool. - Connect the SD card to your computer. - Select the SD card and choose "Options > Format Type > FAT32." - Click "Format" to start the process. 7. **AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard:** - Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant. - Launch the software and right-click on the SD card. - Select "Format Partition." - Choose "FAT32" as the file system and click "OK." - Click "Apply" to execute the changes. Remember that formatting will erase all data on the SD card. Ensure you back up any important files before proceeding.

To help you successfully format SD cards to FAT32 on Windows computers, we have compiled 6 reliable and free formatting methods for you to choose from to complete the task:

1. #1. tools Partition Master Free
2. #2. FAT32 Format
3. #3. HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
4. #4. File Explorer
5. #5. Disk Management
6. #6. DiskPart/CMD
7. #7. PowerShell

Which one should I choose? Here's a comparison table for a quick overview, helping you determine which method best suits your needs:

From this table, it's obvious that Partition Master supports most types of file system formats. However, which tool should you choose to format your SD card?

Here's a quick checklist to help you efficiently find the most reliable SD card FAT32 formatting tool: 1. **Research reputable sources**: Start by searching on trusted websites, forums, or tech blogs for recommendations on reliable SD card formatting tools that support FAT32. 2. **User reviews**: Read through user reviews and ratings on the tool's official website or platforms like Amazon, CNET, or Reddit. This will give you an idea of its performance and reliability. 3. **Compatibility**: Ensure the tool is compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). 4. **Free vs. Paid**: Decide if you're willing to pay for a tool or prefer a free option. Keep in mind that paid tools may offer additional features and better support. 5. **Ease of use**: Look for a tool with a simple and intuitive interface, especially if you're not tech-savvy. 6. **Support**: Check if the software developer provides customer support, such as email, chat, or a knowledge base. 7. **Data safety**: Make sure the tool has a secure formatting process that won't damage your SD card or lead to data loss. 8. **Speed**: Consider the formatting speed, which can be important if you need to format large SD cards quickly. 9. **Additional features**: Some tools may offer extra functions like error checking, partition management, or file recovery. Determine if these are necessary for your needs. 10. **Trial version**: If available, try out a trial version before committing to purchasing the full software to ensure it meets your requirements. Once you've gone through this checklist, you'll be well-equipped to choose the most reliable SD card FAT32 formatting tool for your needs.

1. To format a large SD card (64GB, 128GB, or 256GB) to FAT32 for free, use the assistance of tools Partition Master Free. 2. To format a small SD card (32GB or smaller) to FAT32 without using software, utilize File Explorer.

Now, how do I format the SD card to FAT32 using these selected tools? Refer to the respective tutorial guide below, and you'll learn how to easily set the FAT32 format for your SD card.

#1. Format SD Card to FAT32 using the Free Tool Partition Master

tools Partition Master Free is not only a reliable SD card formatter but also serves as the best disk tool that all levels of Windows users can apply this software to manage and allocate disk space with only a few simple clicks.

Guide to Format SD Card to FAT32:

Step 1. Find your SD card and right-click the partition you wish to format, then select "Format".

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" on the pop-up window to continue.

Step 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button on the toolbar, and then click "Apply" to begin formatting your SD card.

Using the tool Partition Master, you can format your SD card flexibly to any file system format. This software also bypasses the FAT32 file system's volume size limitation, enabling you to format large SD cards to FAT32, for example:

Aside from this, you can also use the Partition Master tool to:

• Clone SD card
• Partition SD card for Android
• Convert SD card with raw format to FAT32
• Format SD card to NTFS

#2. Format SD Card to FAT32 with FAT32 Format Translation: #2. Format the SD Card to FAT32 using FAT32 Format

FAT32 Format is one of the reliable FAT32 formatter tools that support formatting storage devices to FAT32 with simple clicks.

Guide to Format SD Card to FAT32 using FAT32 Format:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your PC using an SD card adapter.

Step 2. Run FAT32 Format, and click to select the SD card under the Drive section.

Step 3. Tick "Quick Format" and click "Start".

Format SD card to FAT32 with FAT32 Format

Wait for the process to complete, and you'll have an SD card formatted with the FAT32 file system.

#3. Format SD Card to FAT32 using HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool

< a href="/partition-master/hp-usb-disk-storage-format-tool-review.html" target="_blank">HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool is a free software provided by HP for formatting USB drives, external hard drives, and SD cards to either FAT32 or NTFS file systems.

Guide to Format SD Card using HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool: 1. Download and Install the Tool: Visit the official HP website or a reliable source to download the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool. Make sure it's compatible with your operating system. 2. Connect the SD Card: Insert the SD card into an SD card reader, and then connect the reader to your computer's USB port. 3. Launch the Format Tool: Once the SD card is recognized by your computer, open the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool. This application should automatically detect the connected SD card. 4. Select the Drive: In the tool's interface, you will see a list of available drives. Locate and select the drive corresponding to your SD card. 5. Choose File System: Under "Format Type," choose the appropriate file system for your needs. Common options include FAT32, NTFS, and exFAT. FAT32 is widely compatible but has a 4GB file size limit. NTFS is better for larger files but may not be supported on some devices. exFAT offers a balance between compatibility and large file support. 6. Allocation Unit Size: Leave the allocation unit size at its default setting unless you have specific requirements. Changing this setting might affect performance. 7. Check the "Quick Format" Option: To save time, check the "Quick Format" option. This skips the thorough scan and formatting process, which is usually unnecessary for a new or freshly erased SD card. 8. Start Formatting: Click on the "Start" button to initiate the formatting process. A warning message may appear, reminding you that all data on the SD card will be erased. Confirm your choice if prompted. 9. Wait for Completion: The formatting process may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the SD card. Do not interrupt the process or remove the SD card until it's complete. 10. Verify and Use the Formatted SD Card: Once the format is finished, safely eject the SD card from your computer and insert it back into your device. You can now use the formatted SD card for storage or other purposes. Remember to backup any important data before formatting, as the process will permanently erase all content.

< strong > Step 1. < /strong > Connect the SD card to your PC using an SD card reader.

Step 2. Double-click HPUSBDISK.exe to run the HP USB Disk Storage Format tool.

Step 3. Select the SD card and choose FAT32 as the file system. Click "Start".

#4. Format SD Card to FAT32 using File Explorer

File Explorer, also known as Windows Explorer, is a tool developed by Microsoft that helps Windows users easily access and open files and folders on Windows hard drive partitions and external hard drives. It also has a formatting feature, allowing beginner Windows users to format internal or external storage devices with the desired file system format with just a few clicks.

Guide to Format SD Card to FAT32 using File Explorer:

< strong > Step 1. < /strong> Insert your SD card into a SD card reader and connect it to your PC.

Step 2. Press Windows + E keys to open File Explorer, right-click on the SD card, and select "Format".

Step 3. Set the File system as FAT32 and check "Quick Format", then click "Start".

#5. Format SD Card to FAT32 using Disk Management

Disk Management is another Windows built-in disk management tool created by Microsoft. Besides formatting SD cards, Windows users can also use this tool to extend, shrink, delete, or create partitions.

Guide to Format SD Card using Disk Management:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your PC using an SD card reader.

Step 2. Right-click on the Windows icon and select Disk Management to open it.

Step 3. Right-click on the SD card and select "Format".

Step 4. Choose FAT32 as the format and check "Perform a quick format", then click "OK".

#6. Format SD Card to FAT32 using DiskPart/CMD

When we talk about how to format SD card using CMD, there are actually two disk partitioning command tools Windows users can turn to – one is DiskPart, and the other one is Command Prompt.

Either tool can help you efficiently format the small SD card (32GB or smaller) to FAT32 efficiently.

Guide to Format SD Card to FAT32 Using Command Prompt:

< strong >Step 1. < /strong >Connect the SD card to the computer via a SD card reader.

< strong > Step 2. < /strong > Right-click on the Windows icon, select "Search", type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and click "Run as Administrator".

Step 3. Check and confirm the drive letter for your SD card, then type format /fs:FAT32 o: and press Enter.

Replace o: with the drive letter of your SD card.

Step 4. Type exit to close the command prompt.

Guide to Format SD Card to FAT32 Using DiskPart:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your PC using an SD card reader.

Step 2. Open Command Prompt and type diskpart, and hit Enter.

Step 3. Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

Translate the following commands into English:
• list disk
• select disk * (Replace * with the disk number of the SD card)
• list volume
• select volume * (Replace * with the volume number of the SD card)
• format fs=fat32 quick

Step 4. Type exit and press Enter.

#7. Format SD Card to FAT32 Using PowerShell

PowerShell is another advanced command-line tool that most administrators prefer to issue commands to the operating system. It also enables the execution of some disk management functions, such as formatting, creating, and deleting volumes, among others.

Guide to Format SD Card to FAT32 using PowerShell:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your computer using an SD card reader.

Step 2. Right-click on the Windows icon and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".

Step 3. Select "Yes" to open PowerShell and check the SD card's drive letter.

Step 4. Type Format /FS:FAT32 O: and press Enter.

Replace O:\ with the SD card drive letter.

Step 5. Type exit to close PowerShell.

Final decision.

On this page, we've compiled 7 methods with detailed, step-by-step instructions to assist you in successfully formatting both small and large SD cards to FAT32.

There are 7 ways for Windows novices to format SD cards, including using Partition Master, File Explorer, and Disk Management. When it comes to formatting large SD cards to FAT32, Partition Master is a reliable tool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Formatting SD Card to FAT32

Here, we've gathered some other popular topics regarding formatting SD cards to FAT32. If you have similar concerns, take a look at the questions and find your answers here:

**1. Why can't I format the SD card to FAT32?**

The reasons why you can't format SD cards to FAT32 are complex, and mostly they are as follows:

Here are the translations of the provided text into English:
• The SD card is locked, encrypted, or has write protection.
• The SD card has a corrupted file system.
• The SD card has internal errors or bad sectors.
• The SD card is larger than 32GB, and the Windows formatting tool cannot format it to FAT32.

To format the SD card to FAT32 instead of exFAT, you need to first determine the storage capacity of your SD card.

If its size is 32GB or less, use File Explorer:

1. Connect the SD card to the PC and open File Explorer. 2. Right-click on the SD card and select "Format." 3. Tick "Perform a quick format," set a new file system format as FAT32, and click "Start."

If the SD card is larger than 32GB, turn to tools Partition Master for help:

Here are the translations for the provided text:
• Connect the SD card to your PC and launch the tool Partition Master.
• Right-click on the SD card and choose "Format".
• Set the format of the SD card as FAT32 and click "OK".
• Click "Execute Task".

Here are the translations of the provided text into English:
• Connect the SD card to the Mac computer using an external SD card reader.
• Open Disk Utility and select the SD card from the left sidebar, then click "Erase."
• Rename the SD card, set the format to "MS-DOS (FAT)" and click "Erase."