Formatting an SD card. Low-level formatting of a flash drive

It is recommended to format the memory card before using it or if there are problems. You will learn how to format an SD card on your phone and PC, the advantages and disadvantages of each method in this article.

Important! Formatting deletes all information and most data cannot be restored. Therefore, save all important files before formatting.

Why format your drive?

Formatting is used to prepare the drive for operation or troubleshoot problems. If the SD card is new, then formatting will allow you to create a new file system table layout, sometimes selecting a suitable file system. For previously used drives, formatting will allow you to recreate the file system table, restore or hide unreadable damaged memory cells.

SD memory card formatting is also used:

• to completely delete information without the possibility of recovery;
• to configure the file system;
• recovery from failures or viruses when the drive does not allow reading or writing information;
• to create several local partitions, or combine partitions into one disk.

Ways to format an SD card

Three types of formatting are commonly used:

1. Using standard means of a phone or tablet.
2. Using a computer.
3. Through third party programs.

Each method offers a different level of convenience and a specific set of capabilities. Next, we will consider each method in more detail.

Method 1: formatting using standard tools

The simplest and most accessible way to format an SD card. Does not require additional equipment or a PC. All actions are performed directly by a smartphone or tablet.

Instructions

1. Open the settings section
2. Select "memory" or "storage"
3. Select a memory card
4. Open the dropdown list
5. Next is “memory”
6. Then select the formatting function
7. Confirm the action in the new window

Formatting a memory card is only possible if the mobile device recognizes the drive.

Starting with Android 6.0, after formatting, the system can offer two options for using the drive: as a removable disk or as a shared drive. In the first case, the SD card is used as a removable storage device. In the second, internal memory is combined with external memory, which makes it possible to compensate for the lack of internal space.

If the card needs to be formatted, the system will prompt you to perform this action immediately after detecting the drive. Usually when the card is “hot” inserted.

Advantages

The method is convenient because formatting does not require removing the card from the mobile device, and does not require a computer or card reader. And thanks to the simplicity of the method, even a novice user can easily handle formatting.

Flaws

The built-in formatting function is limited in its capabilities. You cannot select the file system type, or split or merge local disks. Often a failure occurs during the formatting process, which prevents the memory card from being cleared and restored.

Method 2: formatting using a computer

This method requires a computer, a card reader, and optionally a drive adapter.

Instructions

Install the SD drive into the card reader connected to the computer. If there is no suitable slot, use an adapter from MicroSD to SD.

In the “My Computer” section, right-click on the “Removable Disk” drive detected by the system and select the “Format” option.

The connected drive appears in Windows as “Removable Disk”

Formatting function in the context menu

To quickly clear data, select “Clear table of contents”. For complete formatting, uncheck the “Clear Table of Contents” checkbox.

Please note that full formatting takes longer.

Choose a formatting method

Specify the file system type or leave all settings as default.

Select the file system type. Or leave FAT as default.

Confirm to start formatting if you are sure that all important data from the memory card has been copied and saved.

Wait for it to finish; the process can last from a few minutes for a quick clean and up to several hours for a complete clean.

You can monitor the progress of the card cleaning process

When the process completes successfully, the following window will appear:

Advantages

Formatting an SD card via a computer allows you to select a file system. There is also less chance of errors occurring during the formatting process.

Flaws

Formatting requires a computer and a card reader. Additionally, there are some restrictions when working with the drive. For example, you cannot work with additional sections, delete or add an additional section.

Method 3: formatting with third-party programs

To format a memory card you will need a computer, a card reader and, optionally, an adapter for MicroSD. In this case, specialized programs are used to work with the drive: MiniTool Partition Wizard, SD Formatter, EzRecover, etc.

The operating principle of the programs is relatively the same, only the options for formatting and servicing the drive differ: complete deletion of data without the possibility of recovery, recovery from software failures, etc.

Advantages

The programs allow you to perform several types of formatting, restore data, or restore the drive's functionality. The utilities also offer to select and configure the file system type, set the drive size, etc.

Flaws

Some programs are limited in capabilities, are available for a fee, or only work with certain types of drives. Most programs only support English localization. Also, do not forget about the need for a computer and a high-quality card reader.

Conclusion

The article describes three ways to format an SD card. Each method presented offers different advantages and disadvantages. The simplest and most limited in capabilities is formatting using standard means of a smartphone or tablet. There are fewer restrictions when formatting a memory card via a computer and when using third-party programs on a PC.

Most portable devices today use SD cards. They can act as additional memory or be the main file storage.

Like other modern media, a memory card can be formatted. This procedure is carried out, for example, when you need to quickly clear all content or to solve problems with file system corruption. In the case of SD cards, it would be advisable to use special programs.

How to format an SD card

The following software tools are often used to work with flash drives:

• AutoFormat Tool;
• HDD Low Level Format Tool;
• RecoverRx;
• SDFormatter;
• USB Disk Storage Format Tool.

Don't forget, formatting will delete all files on the card. If you don’t have access to its contents and you can’t download anything to your computer, then use the mode "Quick Format". This will provide an opportunity.

Method 1: AutoFormat Tool

The Transcend company at one time released a good utility that, even in severe cases, allows you to solve the formatting issue. There is no need to install it.

It’s easy to figure out how to use it:

The status bar will show you how soon the formatting will be completed.

At the end the program will display the following window:

Method 2: HDD Low Level Format Tool

One of the best solutions when it comes to the need for low-level formatting. It often helps with problems with the flash drive.

Use the program as follows:

Under the progress bar there will be information about the formatting speed and the number of processed sectors.

Method 3: RecoverRx

Another Transcend development. Only this option, in addition to formatting, allows you to recover deleted files and protect the SD card.

In application it is similar to the AutoFormat Tool:

The advantage of RecoveRx is that it displays the time until the end of the procedure.

Method 4: SDFormatter

A program designed to format according to SD card specifications. It is also recommended by many manufacturers of such storage devices.

It won’t take you long to figure out how to use it:

At the end of the procedure, a window with a report will appear:

Please note that each method is applicable to any generation and type of flash drive (SD, miniSD, microSD).

Method 5: USB Disk Storage Format Tool

A well-known utility that works with all types of portable drives.

All you need to do is follow a few steps:

When formatting is complete, the following entry will be displayed in the log:

Each of the programs reviewed has proven itself to be excellent when formatting SD cards. Just make a couple of clicks, wait a little, and the flash drive is as good as new.

Secure Digital Memory Card (SD) is a format of memory cards that are used for phones, smartphones, cameras, tablets, players. This card serves as external memory for your device. In our article we will tell you how to format (clear data) an SD card.

In order to format an SD card via a computer, you need a special adapter for the card. It usually comes with a memory card. Connect the SD card to your computer.

Open the My Computer window. Click “Start” or the Windows menu and select “Computer.”
Next, we look for our SD card. In the hard drives line it is marked - removable media SD card.

Open the "formatting" menu. Right-click on the SD card and select “Format” from the menu. Next you will go to the “Format” window.
Select a file system. Different systems use different file structures. To ensure that the memory card can be read on any device, select the FAT32 file system. After this, the SD card will be formatted and you will receive an empty storage medium.

If you need to format an SD card on Android, then you need to leave the card in it, there is no need to connect it to the adapter. Open the settings, then the memory tab. Click clear SD.

You can format the SD card using the program.

Download Transcend Autoformat for free

Download the program. After connecting via the SD card adapter, open the Transcend Autoformat program. In it, select SD and click format. Once the process is complete, your card will be cleared. All data will be lost.

SD and microSD memory cards

SD memory cards are widely used in digital technology and electronics today. This is a universal removable storage device measuring 24x32x2.1 mm for cameras, video cameras, video recorders, GPS navigators, MP3 and media players, tablets and other portable equipment.

MicroSD is a version of the SD card that is more than halved in size, namely 11x15x1 mm. MicroSD memory cards are mostly used in mobile devices, but the possibility of using them in other digital devices can be found quite often today, especially in the latest models from manufacturers. MicroSD cards usually come with a microSD-SD adapter, an adapter that allows you to insert MicroSD into any SD card slot. Some models of card readers - devices for reading SD cards - provide the ability to connect a MicroSD card without a microSD-SD adapter.

Why might you need to format SD and microSD cards?

In the process of using SD and MicroSD cards, users of various devices may encounter the need to format them - for example, when it is necessary to quickly delete all data on the card or in case of damage to the file system of the card, when a computer or mobile device cannot see it and reports the need for formatting drive.

Which device is best to format SD and microSD cards?

Of course, a regular PC is the most reliable device with which you can carry out any operations with various portable devices using special software. But to connect SD and microSD cards to a PC, you need the card reader mentioned above, which will become an intermediate link between the card and the PC, and the latter will see it as a connected device, just as it does with a regular flash drive.

In order not to purchase an additional card reader for connecting SD and microSD cards to a PC, you need to study the capabilities of the portable device - it is possible that the process of formatting the card can be carried out with its help. For example, if an SD and microSD card is used in a tablet or smartphone, depending on the operating system, the formatting function can be performed using a special application or file manager that supports such a function.

If the function of formatting drives is not implemented in a portable device, naturally, this issue will have to be resolved using a PC and a card reader.

Types of card readers

Before we begin to consider the process of formatting SD and microSD cards, a few words about the types of card readers.

Built-in card readers - as the name suggests, this type is integrated into the assembly of a computer device. Many modern functional models of laptops and all-in-one computers contain a card reader in their assembly. Therefore, it would be a good idea to carefully inspect your computer for the presence of an appropriate port for connecting SD cards. As a rule, on a PC such a port can be found in the 2.5-inch bay, where manufacturers previously installed a floppy drive for floppy disks.

External card readers - again, the name of this type suggests that it is a separate device that can be connected to a PC, usually via a USB port. Fortunately, external card readers are cheap devices; inexpensive Chinese models can be purchased at any point of sale of computer or mobile equipment.

Formatting SD cards

Now, actually, about the process of formatting SD cards.

Insert the SD card into the built-in or external card reader; by the way, do not forget to connect the latter to the computer via a USB cable. Wait for the computer to detect this SD card, as a rule, this happens in a few seconds, and a system notification will appear in the tray. Now the SD card can be seen as a separate section in the “My Computer” menu (“This PC” is an analogue of this menu in Windows 8).

SD cards are detected and displayed by the computer in the same way as regular flash drives. And to format an SD card, just like for a flash drive, you need to open the context menu on it with the right mouse button, and then select the “Format” function. Next, a window will open with some formatting settings. The process of formatting SD cards in most cases does not require any special settings; you can safely use the default options. To start the SD card formatting process, you need to click the “Start” button and wait for the process to complete.

Perhaps the only setting that you can pay attention to, and which in some cases may be useful, is the “Quick Format” option. So, with this option enabled, the process of formatting the SD card will proceed quickly. If this function is disabled, all card data will be physically deleted and completely overwritten; therefore, the process may take a long time. If the card is completely formatted, its data cannot be recovered in the future using special data recovery software. In fact, completely formatting the card makes sense in fairly rare situations, usually associated with fears of leaking confidential data. In all other cases, you can safely use “Quick Format”.

Formatting microSD cards

Formatting microSD cards is carried out in the same way as with regular SD cards. This can be done either using a computer, which will require a microSD-SD adapter, or using any portable device that supports microSD.

HDD Low Level Format Tool– a free utility for complex formatting of hard drives, flash cards, memory cards.

The program performs low-level formatting of storage media, that is, it destroys all partitions, all user data and the MBR. After such deletion, no cybercriminal will be able to recover data from the storage device!

Low-level formatting completely deletes data from the drive, filling the free space with zeros. Even after serious failures, this formatting method can bring the drive back to life.

Key features of HDD Low Level Format Tool:

• Low-level formatting and the ability to change the drive size within 281,474,976,710,655 bytes.
• Supports a large number of interfaces, including S-ATA (SATA), IDE, SAS, SCSI, USB (where would we be without it!), Firewire. Any of these types of media will be formatted quickly and efficiently.
• Supported manufacturers include: Hitachi, Seagate, Toshiba, IBM, Samsung, Fujitsu, Western Digital and many others.
• Low-level formatting of flash cards (SD, MemoryStick, MMC formats). Just insert the card into the desktop card reader and launch the utility.
• Support for UltraDMA mode.
• Quick information clearing function.
• SMART data display. The only limitation is the fact that the application does not work with external hard drive boxes and external chassis.

• If error warnings appear when copying information.
• If you are using a disk with a different type of controller.
• If you have tried absolutely everything, but not a single recovery method has given positive results.