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| [title] Formatting used flash drives (Simple) | |
| - | [* icon_note] ***This step is more intended for used flash drives. It can be used on a new drive, but is not required.*** If your USB drive is used, there is a chance there is a filesystem problem. Formatting it first makes sure the filesystem is intact. ***This step will destroy the contents on the drive. Make a backup of the drive if you need the contents.*** |
| - | [* black] Open a Windows Explorer window and find the drive you want to use. It will show up as a removable disk with the name you have given the drive. |
| - | [* red] Right click the drive and find ***Format...***. From this point on, follow the next line for instructions on how to format the drive. |
| - | [* orange] After right clicking ***Format***, you will get a window that allows you to pick the filesystem and name, along with the option to quick format. Your options on filesystems will vary based on the size of the drive. Pick the filesystem you want, along with the name for the drive. After doing this, click ***OK*** and format the USB drive. |
| - | [* green] Select the format you want to do. If you want to do a quick format, leave this be. if you want to do a full format, uncheck quick format. |
| - | [* light_blue] With the name, filesystem and Quick Format picked, click ***Start***. You will get a warning this will destroy the contents. Once you verify you have a backup of the drive, click ***OK*** and the drive will format. |
| - | [* icon_note] Most of the time, there is nothing wrong with the drive and you can do a quick format. If the drive has issues it may be a good idea to do a full format to make sure the drive is usable. ***To recap:*** If the drive has no issues to speak of, you can do a quick format. If it has an issue, do a full format. |
| - | [* icon_note] ***If you need more filesystem options that are not available in this format window, you will need to use Computer Management to format the drive. This requires admin access and may not always be accessible depending on your user account type.*** |
| + | [* icon_note] ***This step is intended for used drives and people using Uentbootin. You so not need to do this with Rufus.*** If the USB drive is used or you are using Unetbootin, format the drive before using it. ***IMPORTANT: This destroys the contents of the drive. If you need the contents on the drive, copy it elsewhere before doing this.*** |
| + | [* black] Open a Windows Explorer window and find the drive you want to use. If the drive has a name it will show up as follows: ***[Drive name] [Drive letter]***. If it does not have a name it will show up as follows: ***Removable Disk [Drive letter]***. |
| + | [* red] Right click the drive you want to use and select ***Format...***. From this point, follow the next lines for instructions on how to format the drive. |
| + | [* orange] After right clicking ***Format***, you will get a window that allows you to pick the filesystem and name, along with the option to quick format the drive. Select the filesystem you want and optionally, name the drive. ***Note: In this window, your format options may be restricted by the size of the drive.*** |
| + | [* green] Select if you want to do a "full" or "quick" format. If you just want to do a quick format, you do not need to change this. For a ful format, uncheck the box that says quick format. |
| + | [* light_blue] With the name, filesystem and Quick Format picked, click ***Start***. You will get a warning this will destroy the contents of the drive. Once you verify you have a backup of the drive, click ***OK*** and the drive will format. ***Note: In most cases, a full format is not required. If the drive has potential problems, then you may have to.*** |
| + | [* icon_reminder] ***If you need more filesystem options that are not available this way, you may need to use Computer Management to format the drive. Be aware this does require you have an admin account, or have access to one.*** |