How to Format a Flash Drive or Memory Key (Jump Drive, etc.)

The quick and easy way to manually format a flash drive so that it can properly store and index your data.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flash Drive
• PC

1. Upon using a new flash key for the first time it must be formatted before it can be used. Or, if you need to remove existing files permanantly off of a flash key formatting is the best way to go. Through the formatting process, the computer imprints an index and a network of reference points so that it can locate precise regions to store and retrieve your information. This process can be manually configured in ___ easy steps. The fist step would be to insert your flash/memory key into an available USB port.

2. Click the "Computer" icon from the start menu or from your desktop. (These instructions are for Windows Vista. If you're still using Windows XP you will click "My Computer")

3. Choose the letter for the drive where your flash/memory key sits. This drive letter may or may not stay constant from from computer to computer. It depends on whichever drive bay letter is available on each computer.

4. Right click on the device's icon and choose "Format."

5. Click the "Start" button.
   
   This will prompt a dialogue box wich will give you a warning about the irreversability of the process the device is about to undergo.

6. Click the "OK" button and you're done!

Tips & Warnings

• The warning box in step five is not 100% true in all cases, but treat it as such.
• Remember that everything created in a digital format still exists in some region of the place of origin whhether or not it has been erased or re-formatted.

[gwhaler]

on 8/21/2009 This may NOT format the flash drive to it's full capacity, which is what I seek

[luv2blog]

on 12/20/2008 Interesting. I've never formatted a flash drive. I just stick them in the USB port and transfer. lol I guess that's why some of them don't work well. lol