How to Formatting a memory card or flash drive or device using a PC or Computer or Laptop by KShare


Most modern computers have an SD card slot somewhere on the side of the computer. SD cards come in different sizes, so you may need an adapter if you have a micro SD card. If your computer doesn't have an SD card slot, you will need to use an SD card reader that can plug into a USB port.

WARNING:  Backup all your data before formatting. Formatting will erase all data on the memory device. 

  1. Insert the SD card into your computer.

  2. Open File Explorer and locate the drive letter for your SD card. Right-click the drive and select Format.

  3. If the Capacity of your SD card is less than 64 GB, set the File System to FAT32. If it's 64 GB or higher, set the File System to exFAT. Select Start to begin.

  4. Select OK to ignore the warning that all of the data on the drive will be erased and begin formatting the card.


Another way to Formatting a memory card or flash drive or device.



  • Double-click My Computer, or Computer (for Vista and Win7)
    Right-click the drive letter associated with your memory device, then select Format

  • Select a File system type.
    - FAT
    - FAT32
    - exFAT

  • Ensure "Quick Format" is checked

  • Click Start.

    NOTE: exFAT is supported natively in WIN7 and WIN8. You will need to download a patch for Windows XP or VISTA to format a 64GB or larger device.


How to Format Write-Protected SD Cards


Sometimes when attempting to format an SD card, you will receive an error saying that it is write-protected, or read-only. Most cards have a little tab on the edge that you can move up or down. If your card is write-protected/read-only, move the tab to the opposite position (i.e. if it's up, move it down; if it's down, move it up).

  1. Right-click the Start menu and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) on Windows 10 or Command Prompt (Admin) on Windows 8.

  2. Type diskpart in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.

  3. Type list disk and press Enter. A list of all the available disks on your computer will appear. Look for the disk number that resembles the size of the SD card.

  4. Type select disk # (where # is the number of the disk for the SD card) and press Enter.

  5. Type attributes disk clear readonly and press Enter.

  6. Type clean and press Enter.

  7. When the process is complete, type exit and press Enter, then close the Command Prompt and format the SD card using File Explorer as outlined above.