How to format a USB drive

The pen drive, also known as a USB memory stick, has largely replaced optical storage media. They are highly portable and extremely rugged, having no moving parts. Like all storage devices, they must be formatted before they can store anything.

In this tutorial:

1. Quick Format
2. Full Format

Required knowledge:

• Windows File Explorer
• Storage
• Formatting a storage device

1. Quick Format

Insert your USB drive in an available USB port and open File Explorer (it may open automatically when you insert the drive). Follow the instructions in the slideshow below:

1. Select and then right-click the USB drive in the Navigation Pane
2. Select the Format… option
3. The Capacity is listed (but cannot be changed)
4. The current File system is indicated – ignore for now!
5. The current Allocation unit size is indicated – ignore for now!
6. Click on the Restore device defaults button
7. Add a Volume label — this will be the name of your USB Drive in the future
8. Confirm that Quick Format is selected
9. Click the Start button
10. Confirm by clicking the OK button
11. Click the Close button once you receive a notification that the format is complete

An “empty” (had just been fully formatted) 14GB drive takes less than 5 seconds to format.

2. Full Format

Repeat the above process, starting at Step 1. At Step 8, deselect Quick Format and then continue with Steps 9 to 11.

Note how much longer the formatting process takes!