Formatting FAT32 on Win7

Jokester · 29 May 2012 at 18:29

How do I do this?

I need to format a portable harddrive as FAT32, but can only select exFAT or NTFS in the format box.

Swordfish · 29 May 2012 at 18:32

you should be able to do it in a dos box.

run a dos prompt (as administator) and type format (Drive letter): /FS:FAT32

Edit needs to be formatted first with a drive letter ovb.

EDIT: does not need to be in elevated mode

Swordfish · 29 May 2012 at 18:35

Remember FAT32 cant work with files over 4GB

Jokester · 29 May 2012 at 18:38

Swordfish said:
Remember FAT32 cant work with files over 4GB

Yep, it's for a portable drive for my car for music so there's nothing on there that will cause a problem.

Cheers!

Arthur17 · 29 May 2012 at 21:32

If the drive is over 32GB you may need to use a program such as FAT32Format.

Sin_Chase · 30 May 2012 at 01:01

I always use fat32format personally also.

Quick, works.

Jokester · 30 May 2012 at 12:21

Aye, the windows one crapped out at the end of it saying the partition was too big.

Swordfish · 30 May 2012 at 18:40

Damn - orgot about the drive size. I must admit now I tend to use Acronis Disk Director.