How to Format USB/External Hard Drive to ExFAT [Windows and Mac]

Updated By

Linda 

Written By

Tracy King 

Last Updated on April 22, 2024

Need to format a USB flash drive or external hard drive to ExFAT on Windows or macOS? Read on to learn how to format a storage device to ExFAT yourself.

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ExFAT – The Best Format for USB/External Hard Drives for Windows and Mac

ExFAT, as the newer version of FAT32, stands for Extended File Allocation Table, which was introduced by Microsoft in 2006. It is a file system optimized for flash memory devices like USB flash drives, SD cards, and external hard drives.

ExFAT is also considered the best format for USB drives and external hard drives for both Windows and Mac computers, as ExFAT can be used when NTFS isn't supported. It has a larger file size limit than FAT32 – 4 GB. Additionally, it has been adopted as the default file system for SDXC cards with a capacity of 32 GB or more.

Below are the details about ExFAT, which will explain why it's recommended as the default format for USB flash drives or external hard drives:

And how to format USB drive or external hard drive to ExFAT for use on both Windows and Mac? Check the guide below, where you'll find a complete walkthrough on formatting USB or external hard drive on both Windows and Mac.

[4 ExFAT Formatters] Format USB/External Drive as ExFAT on Windows

When it comes to formatting a USB or external hard drive, there are 4 major USB formatting tools you can try:

• #1. Tool - Partition Master
• #2. File Explorer
• #3. Disk Management
• #4. DiskPart

#1. Format to ExFAT using a tool

All-in-one disk formatter and disk management utility

With AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, you can simplify the formatting process with just a few clicks. Apart from formatting your USB or external hard drive, you can also use this tool to flexibly manage the internal disks on your Windows computer:

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".

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

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

Step 4. Hit the “Run 1 Task” button on the top left to preview the changes, and then click “Apply” to start formatting the external hard drive/USB/SD card.

Watch this video to learn more about the advanced features of the exFAT formatter:

#2. Format using File Explorer to ExFAT

The simplest ExFAT formatting tool for Windows

Step 1. Connect the USB or external hard drive to your Windows PC or laptop.

Step 2. Open File Explorer, right-click on the USB device or external hard drive, and select “Format.”

Step 3. Choose “ExFAT” for the file system, check the “Quick format” box, and then click “Start.”

#3. Use Disk Management to format as ExFAT

Windows built-in formatter

Step 1. Connect the external hard drive or USB drive to your Windows computer.

Step 2: Search for "Create and format hard disk partitions," and click to open Disk Management.

Step 3: Right-click on the USB drive or external hard drive and select "Format."

Step 4. Choose the “exFAT” file system and check “Quick Format,” then click “OK.”

Format as exFAT via Disk Management

#4. Format as ExFAT using DiskPart

"Windows Administrator Format Tool" (UTF-8 encoded)

Step 1. Connect your USB flash drive or external hard drive to your Windows computer.

Step 2: Press Windows + R, type diskpart, and click “OK” to open it.

Step 3: Type the commands one by one, in the order they appear below. Make sure to enter each command correctly, then press "Enter" to execute it.

• List disks
• Select disk 2 (replace 2 with the number of your USB or external drive)
• List partitions
• Select partition 2 (replace 2 with the volume number of your USB or external drive)
• Format fs=exfat quick

After formatting the USB drive or external hard disk, you can connect the device to your Windows and Mac computers to transfer and share files as needed.

Read more: Format a USB Drive that Does Not Show Up

Format USB/External Hard Drive to ExFAT on Mac

If you're on a Mac and need a full guide to format a USB drive or external hard drive to ExFAT, you can turn to Disk Utility. Make sure to copy and back up any important files elsewhere beforehand, though.

Here is the complete guide:

Step 1: Connect your external hard drive or USB flash drive to your Mac.

2. Press Command + Space, type Disk Utility in the Spotlight search, and press "Enter" to open it.

Step 3: In Disk Utility, select your USB drive or external hard drive on the left, then click “Erase” in the top menu.

Step 4: Choose “ExFAT” from the Format drop-down list as the file system.

5. Finally, tap “Erase” to confirm.

Format USB/external hard drive to ExFAT using the best ExFAT formatter for Windows and Mac

On this page, we explain that the best format for USB flash drives and external hard drives for both Windows and Mac is ExFAT. If you want or plan to set up a cross-platform compatible format for your storage device, ExFAT is the way to go.

Plus, we've provided four ExFAT formatters for Windows and one reliable disk formatter for Mac. Choose the most suitable method for your needs. Formatting a USB flash drive or external hard drive to ExFAT is straightforward.

The quick tip is as follows: Tool Editor Selection:

• For Windows users, you can use File Explorer and the disk partition tool to format the removable device.

• If you're on a Mac, always use Disk Utility to format the drive.

Seek help immediately, and follow the advice above.

Frequently Asked Questions about Formatting Devices to exFAT on Windows and Mac with UTF-8 Encoding

If you have more questions about formatting storage devices to exFAT for Windows and Mac, refer to this page and find the solutions:

< strong > 1. What will happen if I format it as exFAT?

When you format a storage device to any file system format (like exFAT), two things happen:

1. Erase all existing data from the device.
2. Reset or change the file system format to exFAT.

< strong > 2. How can I convert a file to the exFAT format?

To convert the file system format on your device, you'll need a reliable formatting tool. You can change the file system format to exFAT by formatting the storage device.

3. Should I format my drive as exFAT?

It depends on how you plan on using the drive. If you only intend to store data on the drive for use with Windows computers, you should format the file system as NTFS.

But if you want to use the drive as a game disk, for something like an Xbox One, you'll want to format it as exFAT.