How to Format Pen Drive Using Command Prompt in Windows

Formatting pen drive using command prompt in Windows PC can be the most appropriate way for you if you want to full format your pen drive but unable to format pen drive using the normal method.

I have experienced that most of the computer users face problem while formatting Pen Drive using the normal method. Because sometimes, it takes too longer time to format pen drive even after selecting the format option “Quick Format” or sometimes it displays the error message “Windows was unable to complete the format.”

This is the main reason, several Windows users asked me the same query related to format pen drive using command prompt in Windows such as: How can i format pen drive using cmd prompt? What is the process of formatting pen drive through command prompt? How can i format my USB drive using command prompt? How to format USB flash drive using command prompt in windows? Help me to format a pen drive or memory card through command prompt in Windows etc.

how to format pen drive using command prompt in windows

If you are also facing the same problem in formatting pen drive or USB flash drive using normal method then this tutorial will show you the exact step by step process to format pen drive using command prompt in Windows computers. Here is the step by step instructions:

How to Format Pen Drive Using Command Prompt

Formatting pen drive using command prompt in Windows operating system is a super easy task and it takes only a few seconds. Only you have to write a simple format command on Windows command prompt and the formatting process of pen drive or USB flash drive will begin. Here’s how to format Pendrive through command prompt:

Step (1): First of all, connect Pen Drive or USB flash drive to your Computer.

Step (2): After connecting, check the letter assigned to the USB flash drive (whether it’s J: or G: or H:). Because, you will have to specify the drive name in the format command while formatting pen drive.

format pen drive

For the example: When I connected the Pen drive to my PC, I checked the drive name and it was H: as shown in above screenshot.

Step (3): Next, press Win + R keys together to open the Run dialog box and type cmd then press Enter.

format pen drive using cmd

Step (4): After the press, Windows command prompt will appear on your screen. Type the following command in command prompt and press Enter:

format /q /x H:

how to format a pen drive

Where in the format command,

  • The q parameter stands for quick format
  • The x parameter forces the selected volume to dismount if required.
  • The letter “H” is the drive name. Please, replace the letter “H” with your drive name.

Step (5): Just after pressing Enter, it will display a message like “Insert new disk for drive H: and press ENTER when ready…”

how to format pen drive using command prompt

Step (6): So, simply press the Enter button. Now formatting of your Pen drive or USB flash drive will be started. You need to wait until 100% is completed.

Step (7): Now, you will be able to see a message like “Initializing the File Allocation Table (FAT)… Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)?” which means format has been completed and waiting for your confirmation.

formatting pen drive using command prompt

Step (8): So just press Enter again. Once, the pen drive formatting process is completed you will see Format complete message along with other details as shown below. That’s it!

format pen drive using command prompt

Thus, you can see how simple is to format pen drive using command prompt in Windows PC. If you want to quick format pen drive, memory card, or another USB flash drive within second then formatting through command prompt is the best option for you.

The most interested thing, this guide “formatting pen drive using command prompt” will appropriately work on all version of Windows (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1, and Windows 10 operating system).

Feel free to write your valuable comments in the comment section if you found this tutorial useful for you. Also, share with us – if you know another appropriate way to format Pen drive using Command Prompt in Windows PC.

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