[All-in-One Step] How to Format SD Card to FAT32?

Formatting an SD card to FAT32 is often essential for ensuring compatibility and functionality across a wide range of devices. This file system is ideal for use in digital cameras, gaming consoles, and older computers. Additionally, FAT32 supports SD cards up to 32 GB. It offers a good balance between file size limitations and storage capacity. This makes it particularly useful for storing a variety of multimedia files and everyday data, enhancing its practicality for general use. How to format SD Card to FAT32? We have compiled a simple guide to help you.

Part 1: What is the FAT32 Format?

FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32) is a file system. The file system was introduced by Microsoft in 1996 as part of Windows 95 OSR2. It is an extension of the earlier FAT16 file system used in DOS and early versions of Windows. FAT32 improves upon FAT16 by increasing the number of bits used to address clusters from 16 to 32. It enhances the disk storage efficiency and increases the maximum disk size and file numbers it can handle. Keep on reading to learn how to format a SD card to FAT32.

Part 2: How to Format SD Card to FAT32? The Simplest Way

If you are looking for the easiest way to format an SD card to FAT32 we would recommend you use PassFab 4EasyPartition. It is an easy-to-use tool that will make the work easy. The tools offer an easy-to-use interface to format SD Card to FAT32. Besides, the tool offers a lot of other features too. The features include:

Here’s how to format an SD Card to FAT32 using PassFab 4EasyPartition:

Part 3: How to Format SD Card to FAT32? Other Possible Fixes

Method 1. Use Windows Disk Management

Formatting an SD card to FAT32 is straightforward, especially for cards with a capacity of 32GB or smaller. Windows Disk Management provides an easy-to-use tool for this task. Here’s how to format SD Card as FAt32:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter.
2. The Disk Management utility will open.

3. Find the SD card you want to format in the list of drives. Right-click on the SD card and select Format.

   

4. In the Format dialog box, set the Volume label as desired. Choose FAT32 as the File system. Optionally, adjust the Allocation unit size. You can choose to perform a Quick format and enable folder compression if needed. Click OK to proceed.

   
5. A warning message will appear, stating that formatting will erase all data on the SD card. Ensure you have backed up any important data. Click OK to confirm and begin the formatting process.

Method 2. Use Disk Genius Free Edition

DiskGenius is a versatile disk partition software that can format SD cards larger than 32GB to FAT32, among other file systems. Here’s how to format micro SD Card to FAT32:

1. Download DiskGenius Free Edition from the official website. Install the software on your Windows PC.
2. Open DiskGenius. Ensure your SD card is connected to your computer.
3. In the DiskGenius interface, locate and select your SD card from the list of drives.
4. Right-click on the SD card and select Format. In the format dialog, set the File system to FAT32. Optionally, you can set a Volume label and adjust other settings as needed. Click OK to start the formatting process. A warning message will appear, indicating that formatting will erase all data on the SD card. Ensure you have backed up any important data.
5. Click Yes to confirm and proceed with the formatting. In a few moments, your SD card will be formatted to FAT32 and ready for use.

Method 3: Use Windows File Explorer

Formatting an SD card to FAT32 using Windows File Explorer is simple and quick. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect the SD Card:
   Insert your SD card into an SD card reader and connect it to your PC.
2. Open Windows File Explorer:
   Press Win + E to open Windows File Explorer.
3. Locate the SD Card:
   In the navigation bar, under This PC, find your SD card. Right-click on the SD card and select Format.
4. Format the SD Card:
   In the format dialogue box, select FAT32 as the file system. Optionally, you can set a Volume label. Click Start to begin the formatting process.

FAQs about How to Format SD Card to FAT32

First, ensure the drive is properly connected to your computer. Open Disk Management, locate your drive and attempt to initialize or format it. After that, open Command Prompt and type chkdsk [drive letter]: /f /r to check and repair file system errors. Ensure your system drivers are up-to-date. If accessible, back up your data immediately.

What is error code 0x800701E3?

Error code 0x800701E3 indicates a hardware issue. This error can occur during read/write operations and may suggest the need for a disk check or replacement to prevent data loss.

Final Words

Hope you got a proper idea of how to format SD Card to FAT32. If you don’t have technical knowledge utilize tools like PassFab 4EasyPartition to format your SD Card. It is an easy-to-use tool to format any disk. Besides, the tool offers other features including system migration, disk cloning and more.

COMMENT