How To Format Flash Drive For Mac And Windows

  1. How To Format Pen Drive For Mac And Windows
  2. Mac And Windows Compatible Format

Just like most storage mediums, partitioning a flash drive is also possible. There may be a number of reasons why you would want to partition a flash drive. If you have never partitioned a flash drive before, then don't worry; this article will help you. Read on to find how to partition a flash drive..

  • Insert the flash drive or hard drive you want to format for Windows compatibility. Go to the Applications folder on your Mac’s hard drive, then go to the Utilities folder, and launch Disk Utility. Select the drive you want to format. Warning: the following steps will delete any info you currently have on the drive.
  • To begin to format USB for Mac and PC on a Windows 10 computer, insert the USB drive into an open port and then launch the Windows Disk Management Utility. To find it, type 'disk management' or 'format disk' in Windows Search and select 'Create and Format Hard Disk Partitions.'
  • How to format a usb flash drive on a windows 10 pc for mac os x & windows pc compatibility If you need to transfer files larger than 4 GB between macs and wi.

Use Disk Utility to Format USB Flash Drive on Mac The simplest way to format a disk in Mac OS is to simply use the Disk Utility since it is the Mac’s built in disk maintenance tool. To format USB drive on Mac using this method, all you need to do is plug in the USB device into your Mac and select it from the Disk Utility’s sidebar menu.

    • Partition with Diskpart

    • Partition with an USB Flash Drive Partition Tool

  • Bonus Tip 1. Best Way to Recover Files from Flash Drive after Partition or Format

1How to Partition Flash Drive on Windows10/8.1/8/7?

Although it is possible to create multiple partitions on a flash drive via third-party tools, Windows will only read and show the first/primary partition. If you want the Windows to read a certain partition of the flash drive, then you will need a third-party tool to set that partition as primary.

Backup Your Data

Partitioning a flash drive will erase all data stored on it. That's why it is highly recommended that you back up all the important data before proceeding. The backup process is quite easy as all you need to do is connect the flash drive to your computer and copy the desired data to a location of your choice. Follow these instructions:

  • 1. Connect your flash drive to your computer. Then open This PC on your Windows and find your flash drive.

  • 2. Double-click on it to see its contents. Select the files that you want to back up and right-click on them and click Copy.

  • 3. After that, navigate to the folder on your computer's hard drive where you want to store those files, right-click and select the Paste option. The transfer process will begin and your selected files will be copied to that folder.

Now that you have backed up your data, you can proceed to partition your flash drive. Following are some methods to do this:

1Partition a Flash Drive Using Diskpart

You can easily partition a flash drive via the Diskpart utility of Windows. The utility is run through Command Prompt. Follow these instructions:

Step 1. Press Windows and R key on your keyboard at the same time and type 'diskpart' in the Run pop-up window and then press Enter to launch it. A command prompt window will open.

Step 2. On that window, input 'list disk' to see which number your connected flash drive has.

Step 3. Next, input 'select disk X (X here is the number for your flash drive). It will be selected.

Step 4. Now input 'clean' and press enter to clean the device.

Step 5. Now enter 'list part' and then input 'create partition primary'. After that, input 'list part' and then input 'select partition 1'. Set this partition as active by inputting 'active'.

Step 6. Next, input 'format fs=fat32' to format the partition. After that, your newly created flash drive partition will be ready to use.

2Partition a Flash Drive with an USB Flash Drive Partition Tool

If the method to partition a flash drive via diskpart seems complicated, then there is another easier way to partition a flash drive. You can partition the USB flash drive via a flash drive partition tool called Bootit. Follow these instructions to partition a flash drive via Bootit:

Fist, you should install and launch Bootit software on your computer.

Step 1. Connect your flash drive to your computer and make sure it is detected by the operating system.

Step 2. Now open Disk Management on your computer. You can launch it from the Start Menu.

Step 3. Now select the current partition shown on the flash drive and delete it via the software.

Step 4. After that, right-click on the unallocated space of flash drive and click on New Simple Volume to create a partition. You can specify the size, label, etc. for the new partition according to your preferences.

Step 5. You can create multiple partitions on your flash drive by repeating the above step.

2How to Partition a Flash Drive on Mac?

If you want to partition your flash drive on your Mac, then you will be glad to know that it is possible. On Mac, you can do this via Disk Utility.

Steps to Partition Flash Drive on Mac

Follow these instructions to partition flash drive on Mac:

Step 1. On your Mac, open Disk Utility. And connect your flash drive to your Mac.

Step 2. Once the Disk Utility is opened, select your flash drive from the sidebar and click the Erase button.

Step 3. On the newly opened window, select OS X Extended (Journaled) from the Format menu.

Step 4. Make sure to click on Scheme > GUID Partition Map. Next, format the drive via the Erase option.

Step 5. After formatting, click the Partition button and then use the '+' button to create and add additional partitions. Add as many partitions as you like.

Step 6. After setting the sizes, labels, etc. to partitions, click Apply to confirm your action. Partitions will be created.

Bonus Tip 1. Best Way to Recover Files from Flash Drive after Partition or Format

It's wise to backup the data on your flash drive before partitioning or formatting it. So, what to do if you forgot this or some important files were left when made a backup? Don't worry, a powerful data recovery tool can help you find them back!

iMyFone AnyRecover is one of such popular data recovery tools. It can help you find all your lost files no matter how you lost them. Files recovery at a formatted or partitioned USB flash drive is easy as 1-2-3 with AnyRecover.

Key Features

  • Recover lost files from different data loss scenarios, including formatted data recovery, deleted files recovery, formatted device recovery, etc.

  • Recover over 1000 type of files, including photos, videos, audios, emails, documents, archives and more.

  • Recover files from various storage mediums, such as USB flash drive, hard drive, SD card, digital camera, computer, etc.

  • Differing from other recovery tools, AnyRecover is 100% safe to use, it won't do any damage to your existing data.

  • One of the most reliable data recovery software with high data recovery rate - Up to 98%.

Steps to Recover Files from Flash Drive after Partition or Format

Step 1. Open AnyRecover on your computer, then connect your Flash Drive to your computer, select it.

Step 2. After selecting the location, hit “Start” button to start the process.

Step 3. After scanning, preview and select the files, then click on Recover button to get the lost files back.

Bonus Tip 2. Best USB Flash Drive for Windows & Mac

Among many quality flash drives, SanDisk Extreme PRO 128 GB Drive is considered the most popular USB flash drive for Windows and Mac. Following are the top features of this USB flash drive:

  • Blistering speeds: 380 MB/s write, 420 MB/s read.

  • Durable, sleek, and eye-catching aluminum casing design.

  • AES, 128-bit file encryption for excellent security for sensitive files.

  • USB 3.0 as well as backward compatibility with USB 2.0.

  • Lifetime warranty.

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Ready to install Windows 10 on a PC using UEFI? Use these steps to create a compatible USB bootable media to perform this task.

When it comes the time to install a clean copy of Windows 10, you typically use a USB bootable media to start the computer and proceed with the 'Windows Setup' wizard. However, if you have a device that has a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), instead of the legacy Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), it's important to use the correct media that includes support for the motherboard firmware type.

You can use several methods to create a media to install Windows 10 from USB if you have a newer firmware type. For instance, you can use the Media Creation Tool to download the installation files onto a removable drive with support for both UEFI and legacy BIOS. Or, you can use third-party tools like Rufus that makes it easy to create an installation media with support for UEFI.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create a USB flash drive that includes UEFI support using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and Rufus.

  • How to create a Windows 10 UEFI boot media using Media Creation Tool
  • How to create a Windows 10 UEFI boot media using Rufus tool

How to create a Windows 10 UEFI boot media using Media Creation Tool

If you have a machine using UEFI, you can use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB media to perform a clean installation or in-place upgrade of the Microsoft OS.

To create a bootable media, connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of space, and use these steps:

  1. Open Windows 10 download page.

  2. Under the 'Create Windows 10 installation media' section, click the Download tool now button to save the file.

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  3. Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to open the tool.
  4. Click the Accept button to agree to the Microsoft terms.

  5. Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC option.

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  6. Click the Next button.
  7. (Optional) Clear the Use the recommended options for this PC option.

  8. Select the correct language, architecture, and edition of Windows 10.

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    Quick tip: If you'll be installing Windows 10 on multiple computers running 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, then use the 'Architecture' drop-down menu and select the Both option.

  9. Click the Next button.

  10. Select the USB flash drive option.

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  11. Click the Next button

  12. Select the removable drive from the list. (If you don't see the drive, click the Refresh drive list option.)

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  13. Click the Next button.
  14. Click the Finish button.

Once you complete the steps, the tool will download the required files and create a bootable USB flash drive with the Windows 10 installation files with support for UEFI and BIOS.

How to create a Windows 10 UEFI boot media using Rufus tool

Alternatively, you can also use Rufus to create an installation media with UEFI support using an existing ISO file. Or you can also use the tool to download the Windows 10 files from the Microsoft servers and then create the bootable flash media.

Drive

Creating boot media with Windows 10 ISO

To create a bootable media using an existing Windows 10 ISO file, connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of space, and use these steps:

  1. Open Rufus download page.

  2. Under the 'Download' section, click the latest release and save the file on your device.

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  3. Double-click the Rufus-x.x.exe file to launch the tool.
  4. Under the 'Device' section, select the USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space.
  5. Under the 'Boot selection' section, click the Select button on the right side.
  6. Select the Windows 10 ISO file from its folder location.
  7. Click the Open button.
  8. Use the 'Image option' drop-down menu to select the Standard Windows installation option.
  9. Use the 'Partition scheme' drop-down menu to select the GPT option.

  10. Use the 'Target system' drop-down menu to select the UEFI (non CSM) option.

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  11. Under the 'Show Advanced drive properties' section, leave the default settings.

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  12. Under the 'Volume label' field, enter a descriptive name for the drive — for example, 'win10_2004_usb.'

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  13. Under the 'File system' and 'Cluster size' section, leave the default settings.
  14. Click the Show advanced format options button.
  15. Select the 'Quick format' and 'Create extended label and icon files' options.
  16. Click the Start button.
  17. Click the OK button to confirm.
  18. Click the Close button.

After you complete the steps, the tool will create a bootable USB flash drive to install Windows 10 on a UEFI device with the image that you provided.

Creating boot media downloading Windows 10 ISO

If a Windows 10 ISO file isn't available, you can use Rufus to download the ISO from the Microsoft servers and create the bootable USB flash media.

How To Format Pen Drive For Mac And Windows

To create an installation media, connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of space, and use these steps:

  1. Open Rufus download page.

  2. Under the 'Download' section, click the latest release of the tool to save the file on the computer.

    © Provided by Windows Central
  3. Double-click the Rufus-x.x.exe file to launch the tool.
  4. Under the 'Device' section, select the USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space.

  5. Under the 'Boot selection' section, click the arrow button next to the 'Select' option, and choose the Download option.

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  6. Click the now available Download button.
  7. Use the 'Version' drop-down menu and select Windows 10.
  8. Click the Continue button.
  9. Select the 20H1 (Build 19041.264 - 2020.05) option to download the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.
  10. Click the Continue button.
  11. Use the 'Edition' drop-down menu and select the Windows 10 Home/Pro option.
  12. Click the Continue button.

  13. Use the 'Language' drop-down menu and select your installation language.

    Quick note: If you're in the United States, you should select 'English' instead of 'English International.'

  14. Click the Continue button.

  15. Use the 'Architecture' drop-down menu and select the 32-bit or 64-bit (recommended).

    Quick tip: You can find out the architecture of your device on Settings >System >About, under Device specifications.

  16. Click the Download button.

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  17. Select a folder location to temporarily download the ISO file from the Microsoft servers.
  18. Click the Save button.
  19. Use the 'Image option' drop-down menu to select the Standard Windows installation option.
  20. Use the 'Partition scheme' drop-down menu to select the GPT option.

  21. Use the 'Target system' drop-down menu to select the UEFI (non CSM) option.

    © Provided by Windows Central
  22. Under the 'Show Advanced drive properties' section, leave the default settings.
  23. Under the 'Volume label' field, enter a descriptive name for the drive — for example, 'win10_2004_usb.'
  24. Under the 'File system' and 'Cluster size' section, leave the default settings.
  25. Click the Show advanced format options button.
  26. Select the 'Quick format' and 'Create extended label and icon files' options.
  27. Click the Start button.
  28. Click the OK button to confirm.
  29. Click the Close button.

Once you complete the steps, Rufus will run the script to download the Windows 10 ISO file from the Microsoft servers. Then, it'll use that ISO to create a bootable media, which you can then use to install Windows 10 on computers using UEFI.

When you have the USB bootable media with support for UEFI systems, you can use to start your device to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation of Windows 10.

More Windows 10 resources

Mac And Windows Compatible Format

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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