Program for formatting SD cards. Program for formatting SD cards. What is microSD

Formatting a memory card completely erases data from the media; this procedure also helps to get rid of errors associated with reading the card. SD media is used primarily in phones, but it can be inserted into cameras, music players, and any other place where there is a flat input for this type of memory card. An SD card is considered a storage device up to 2 GB; it often requires formatting, and in this article you will learn how to do it.

How to format SD from phone

If you use a microSD card, you can clear it directly from your phone. Go to your smartphone settings and do the following:

Find the “Storage” section. Enter it.

In some phones the algorithm looks different, for example, in Samsung. Open your device tray and select the gear icon.

Find the “Smart Manager” section. In it you can find the block with the SD card and click “Clear”. This will complete the formatting.

How to format an SD card via computer

Sometimes SD cards have problems when formatting through a phone, camera or other devices. Then you need to format it on your computer. Insert the flash drive into a special connector or adapter.

Go to “My Computer” to see the camera’s SD folder. As soon as it appears, right-click on it.

In the list that appears, find the “Format” section.

A window will open in front of you, configure it sequentially:

• The default speed is 121 MB. This is enough for the whole process to take a short time and not load the system;
• The file system depends on your operating system. NTFS only used on Windows FAT is universal, and you can read it on any OS, but it is limited to 32 GB. It's better to choose exFAT, since this format has no restrictions on size and types of operating systems;
• It is better not to change the cluster size;
• The “quick formatting” checkbox should only be checked if you have already performed a full formatting with the specified parameters.

Click “Start” and the cleaning will begin immediately.

How to format SD using RecoveRx

If the methods described above do not suit you, then there is only one tool left - special software for formatting SD cards. One such software is called RecoveRx. You can download the program from the link https://ru.transcend-info.com/Support/Software-4/

Go to the site and click on the “Download” button, after which you will have a choice of operating system.

Once the software has loaded, double-click on it. You can easily install the program: agree to the license agreement, select the language and installation directory. The whole procedure will last no longer than two minutes.

Open the program and go to the “Format” section. Please note that in this program you can try to recover flash drives that were previously broken or showed an error.

In the “Disk” column, put the letter of your flash drive, and below click on the “SD” picture. Formatting with this program will help correct some errors and completely clear the memory card.

If you need to change the type of file system, then simply click on the word “FAT”, you will see a small menu with a list of types.

As you can see, you have many options for cleaning your SD card, which can be either quick and easy or quite labor-intensive if the flash drive shows an error.

A Micro SD card is a miniature memory card that is often used in cameras, GPS devices and mobile phones as an additional storage medium. In most cases, you can format this card directly in the device, but it can also be done on a computer running Windows or Mac OS.

Steps

Formatting on Android Devices

On your device's desktop, click Settings. Scroll through the pages and find the app's icon on your desktop.

• The appearance of the Settings app icon depends on your version of Android, but in most cases the icon looks like a gear.

1. Tap "Storage" or "SD & Storage". The name of the corresponding option depends on the Android version. Look for an option that has the word “memory” in its name.

   • As a rule, the corresponding option is marked with an icon in the form of an SD card.

2. Check the option "Erase SD card" or "Format SD card". The screen will display the total capacity of the SD card, the amount of free space and the “Remove SD card” and “Format SD card” buttons.

   • If the “Format SD card” button is not available, then first disconnect the card by clicking on “Disconnect SD card”.

3. In the window that opens, agree to delete all information stored on the SD card. The device will begin formatting the micro SD card; In this case, all contents of the card will be erased.

   Formatting on Windows Phone devices

   1. Find the Settings app. This method works on devices running Windows Phone 8 or later; in HTC One M8, in Nokia Lumia 635, in Nokia Lumia 830 and in Microsoft Lumia 735.

      Scroll down the page and find the "Phone Storage" option. Once you launch the Settings app, scroll down and find the Phone Storage option (located between the Battery Saver and Backup options).

   2. After viewing a graph on the screen showing the used space on all storage media, click “SD card”.

      • Before formatting the card, please back up important information as this process will delete all data stored on the card.

   3. Click "Format SD Card". Clicking "SD Card" will display two options: "Disconnect Card" and "Format Card." Click on the option that asks you to format the card.

      • By clicking “Format SD card”, a window will open on the screen warning you that all data stored on the card will be deleted. In the same window you will be asked to confirm your decision. Click "Yes" to start the formatting process.
      • Once formatting is complete, the device will recognize the card and ask you to reconfigure it. To do this, follow the instructions on the screen.

   Formatting on Windows computers

   1. For example, if you have a SanDisk micro SD card, it comes with a special SD adapter. The adapter looks like a standard SD card with a “pocket” into which a micro SD card is inserted.

   2. Connect the card reader or adapter to a USB port or SD slot on your computer. Depending on your computer model and adapter type, you will need to use either an SD slot or a USB port.

      • If you are using an SD adapter, make sure the write protect switch is in the Off position. Otherwise, you will not be able to write any files to the card (it will have a Read-Only status).
      • Before formatting the card, copy all its contents to your computer, and after formatting, transfer the copied data back to the card.

   3. Click "Start" - "Computer" (or "My Computer"). This method works on Windows 7 and later versions.

      • The “Computer” window will display a list of all connected storage media.
      • Find your Micro SD card in the list. The card will be listed under the name of its manufacturer (if you did not change the card name) or under the name you assigned to it.

   4. Right-click on the card reader (in the list of connected storage media) and select “Format”. A window with formatting options will open.

      • If the Format option does not appear, you may have to download and install the fat32format GUI utility.

   5. Check the "Quick Format" box. Clicking "Format" will open a window with several options, including "Quick Format." Select this option to get the best results.

      • If you installed the fat32utility utility, run the guiformat.exe file. The same window will open with several options.
      • Before clicking “Start”, make sure that other parameters are configured appropriately, for example, in the “Capacity” line the correct value of the total card capacity should be indicated, and in the “File system” line – the FAT32 system.

   6. Click "Get Started." This will start the formatting process; in this case, all contents of the card will be deleted.

      • Once formatting is complete, you will have a clean and ready-to-use micro SD card.

   Formatting on computers running Mac OS

   1. Insert the micro SD card into a special adapter or card reader compatible with micro SD cards. For example, if you have a SanDisk micro SD card, it comes with a special SD adapter. The adapter looks like a standard SD card with a pocket into which a micro SD card is inserted.

      • Please note that micro SD cards smaller than 32 GB are formatted using the FAT32 file system, while cards larger than 64 GB are formatted using the exFAT file system. If you are formatting the card for use on a phone, Nintendo DS, or 3DS, format it to FAT32. Remember that jailbroken Android devices cannot work with the exFAT file system.
      • Additionally, please note that Mac OS 10.6.5 (Snow Leopard) or earlier Mac OS does not support or format cards using the exFAT file system. In this case, you will have to update your operating system.
      • It is recommended to format the card with the FAT32 file system, but in this case it will not be possible to write a file larger than 4 GB to the card.
      • You can buy an SD adapter if it doesn't come with your micro SD card. In this case, make sure that the adapter is compatible with your card. Some adapters are equipped with USB plugs, which means they can be used like regular flash drives.

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.

Good day, dear readers. Today we will talk about formatting memory cards that are used in cameras, mobile phones, tablets and other portable devices.

Then in the section " File system» selected « FAT" and pressed " Begin».

Once the process of clearing the memory card was complete, I loaded it with new songs, safely removed them from the computer, and decided to listen to what was recorded on MP3. It turned out that somehow the previous tracks (which were there before clearing all the files) and the new ones overlapped each other and the result was a kind of “musical mess”. The only way out of this situation is to reformat the memory card again, but this time completely.

To do this, I decided to use third-party software. I’ll tell you right away that it was possible to clean the micro SD flash drive normally using the first program, but for you I decided to describe the three best ones at once, otherwise you never know.

AutoFormat Tool

This is a very easy to use utility with a user-friendly interface. I liked it because it doesn’t contain anything unnecessary. You can download AutoFormat Tool below:

To clear a flash card using this utility you need to:

1. After downloading, right-click on the utility shortcut and select the command “ Run as Administrator».

2. Then the window of the utility itself will open. Select at the top Disk Drive– the letter in the name of the flash drive you want to clean.
3. Next, check the SD box and simply press the “ Format».

4. A dialog box will appear warning that all files will be deleted - click the " Yes».

If you cannot format a memory card in the usual way, then you will not find a better utility than the AutoFormat Tool. By the way, I forgot to mention that this utility also formats USB flash drives.

HDD Low Level Format Tool

A fairly multifunctional program that can clean disks, flash drives, and memory cards. I usually use it to more completely clean removable drives, since the HDD Low Level Format Tool allows low-level formatting.

The most important thing that you should take into account is that it will no longer be possible to recover data from a flash card after formatting using this program.

Well, let's start cleaning. You can download HDD Low Level Format Tool below:

1. After downloading and installing, launch the program. In the program window, select the flash drive and press the button Continue».

2. Next, go to the section “ LOW-LEVEL Format" and click on the button " FORMAT THIS DEVISE».

3. We wait for the process to finish and everything is ready. The only downside is that you have to wait a little.

SDFormatter

This is a specialized utility, just for our current needs. According to the developers, formatting using SDFormatter allows you to clean up the memory card better than using standard Windows tools.

1. First, download the utility itself and install it on your computer (or laptop):

2. After launching in the field " Drive» select a flash card (if several removable drives are connected to your computer).

Good day everyone!

You can argue, but flash drives have become one of the most (if not the most) popular storage media. It is not surprising that there are quite a lot of questions regarding them: especially important among them are the issues of recovery, formatting and testing.

In this article I will present the best (in my opinion) utilities for working with drives - that is, those tools that I have used myself many times. The information in the article will be updated and expanded from time to time.

The best programs for working with a flash drive

Important! First of all, if you have problems with a flash drive, I recommend visiting the official website of its manufacturer. The fact is that the official website may have specialized utilities for data recovery (and not only!), which will cope with the task much better.

For testing

Let's start with testing drives. Let's look at programs that will help determine some of the parameters of a USB drive.

H2testw

A very useful utility for determining the actual volume of any media. In addition to the storage capacity, it can test the actual speed of its operation (which some manufacturers like to overestimate for marketing purposes).

Check Flash

A free utility that can quickly check your flash drive for functionality, measure its real read and write speed, and completely delete all information from it (so that no utility can recover a single file from it!).

In addition, it is possible to edit information about partitions (if they are on it), make a backup copy and reanimate the image of an entire media partition!

The speed of the utility is quite high and it is unlikely that at least one competing program will do this job faster!

HD Speed

This is a very simple, but very convenient program for testing flash drives for read/write speed (information transfer). In addition to USB drives, the utility supports hard drives and optical drives.

The program does not require installation. Information is presented in a clear graphical representation. Supports Russian language. Works in all versions of Windows: XP, 7, 8, 10.

CrystalDiskMark

One of the best utilities for testing information transfer speed. Supports various media: HDD (hard drives), SSD (newfangled solid state drives), USB flash drives, memory cards, etc.

The program supports the Russian language, although running a test in it is as easy as shelling pears - just select a carrier and press the start button (you can figure it out without knowledge of the great and mighty).

An example of the results can be seen in the screenshot above.

Flash Memory Toolkit

Flash Memory Toolkit - this program is a whole set of utilities for servicing flash drives.

Full set of functions:

• a detailed list of properties and information about the drive and USB devices;
• test to find errors when reading and writing information to the media;
• quick data clearing from the drive;
• search and recovery of information;
• backup of all files to media and the ability to restore from a backup copy;
• low-level testing of information transfer speed;
• measuring performance when working with small/large files.

FC-Test

Website: xbitlabs.com/articles/storage/display/fc-test.html

A benchmark for measuring the real read/write speed of hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, CD/DVD devices, etc. Its main feature and difference from all utilities of this kind is that it uses real data samples to work.

Of the minuses: the utility has not been updated for quite some time (problems with newfangled media types are possible).

Flashnul

This utility allows you to diagnose and test USB Flash drives. By the way, during this operation, errors and bugs will be corrected. Supported media: US and Flash drives, SD, MMC, MS, XD, MD, CompactFlash, etc.

List of operations performed:

• reading test - an operation will be carried out to determine the availability of each sector on the media;
• recording test - similar to the first function;
• information integrity test - the utility checks the integrity of all data on the media;
• saving a media image - saving everything that is on the media into a separate image file;
• Loading the image into the device is similar to the previous operation.

For formatting

HDD Low Level Format Tool

A program that has only one task - to format the media (by the way, HDD hard drives, SSDs, and USB flash drives are supported).

Despite such a “meager” set of capabilities, it is not for nothing that this utility is in first place in this article. The fact is that it allows you to “bring back” to life even those media that are no longer visible in any other program. If this utility sees your drive, try low-level formatting it (attention! all data will be deleted!) - there is a good chance that after this format, your flash drive will work as before: without failures or errors.

USB Disk Storage Format Tool

A program for formatting and creating bootable flash drives. Supported file systems: FAT, FAT32, NTFS. The utility does not require installation, supports USB 2.0 port (USB 3.0 is not visible. Note: this port is marked in blue).

Its main difference from the standard tool in Windows for formatting drives is the ability to “see” even those media that are not visible by standard OS tools. Otherwise, the program is quite simple and concise, I recommend using it to format all “problem” flash drives.

Format USB Or Flash Drive Software

The utility will help in cases where the standard formatting program in Windows refuses to “see” the media (or, for example, will generate errors during operation). Format USB Or Flash Drive Software can format media into the following file systems: NTFS, FAT32 and exFAT. There is a quick formatting option.

I would also like to note the simple interface: it is designed in a minimalist style, it’s easy to understand (the screenshot is shown above). In general, I recommend it!

SD Formatter

A simple utility for formatting various flash cards: SD/SDHC/SDXC.

The main difference from the standard program built into Windows is that this utility formats the media according to the type of flash card: SD/SDHC/SDXC. It is also worth noting the presence of the Russian language, a simple and understandable interface (the main program window is shown in the screenshot above).

Aomei Partition Assistant

Aomei Partition Assistant is a large free (for home use) “combine” that provides a huge number of functions and capabilities for working with hard drives and USB media.

The program supports the Russian language (but is still set to English by default), works in all popular Windows operating systems: XP, 7, 8, 10. The program, by the way, works according to its own unique algorithms (at least according to the developers of this software ), which allows it to “see” even “very problematic” media, be it a flash drive or HDD.

In general, a whole article would not be enough to describe all its properties! I recommend you try it, especially since Aomei Partition Assistant will save you not only from problems with USB drives, but also with other media.

Recovery programs

Important! If the programs presented below are not enough, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with a large collection of programs for recovering information from various types of media (hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, etc.): .

If, when connecting the drive, it reports an error and asks you to format it, do not do it (it is possible that after this operation, it will be much more difficult to return the data)! In this case, I recommend reading this article:.

Recuva

One of the best free file recovery programs. Moreover, it supports not only USB drives, but also hard drives. Distinctive features: fast scanning of media, a fairly high degree of search for “remains” of files (i.e., the chances of returning a deleted file are quite high), a simple interface, a step-by-step recovery wizard (even complete “beginners” can handle it).

For those who will be scanning their flash drive for the first time, I recommend that you read the mini-instructions for recovering files in Recuva:

R Saver

Free* (for non-commercial use in the USSR) program for recovering information from hard drives, flash drives, memory cards and other media. The program supports all the most popular file systems: NTFS, FAT and exFAT.

The program sets the media scanning parameters independently (which is also another plus for beginners).

Program features:

• recovery of accidentally deleted files;
• the ability to reconstruct damaged file systems;
• recovering files after formatting the media;
• data recovery using signatures.

EasyRecovery

One of the best data recovery programs, supports a wide variety of media types. The program works in all versions of new Windows: 7, 8, 10 (32/64 bits), supports Russian language.

One cannot fail to note one of the most important advantages of the program - the high degree of detection of deleted files. Everything that can be “pulled out” from a disk or flash drive will be presented to you and offered to be restored.

Perhaps the only negative is that it is paid...

Important! You can find out how to return deleted files in this program in this article (see part 2):

R-STUDIO

One of the most popular programs for data recovery, both in our country and abroad. A large number of different media are supported: hard drives (HDD), solid-state drives (SSD), memory cards, flash drives, etc. The list of supported file systems is also amazing: NTFS, NTFS5, ReFS, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, etc.

The program will help in the following cases:

• accidentally deleting a file from the trash (this happens sometimes...);
• formatting the hard drive;
• virus attack;
• in the event of a computer power failure (especially important in Russia with its “reliable” power grids);
• in case of errors on the hard drive, if there are a large number of bad sectors;
• if the structure of the hard drive is damaged (or changed).

In general, a universal harvester for all kinds of cases. The only negative is that the program is paid.

Remark! Step-by-step data recovery in R-Studio:

Popular USB flash drive manufacturers

It is, of course, unrealistic to collect all manufacturers in one table. But all the most popular ones are definitely present here :). On the manufacturer’s website you can often find not only service utilities for resuscitating or formatting a USB drive, but also utilities that greatly facilitate the work: for example, programs for archival copying, assistants for preparing bootable media, etc.

Note! If I have left anyone out, I suggest using the tips from the instructions for restoring the functionality of a USB drive: . The article describes in some detail how and what to do to “return” the flash drive to working condition.

This concludes the report. Good work and good luck everyone!