How to Format a Flash Drive to NTFS

Formatting a flash drive to the NTFS file system is beneficial if you need to store files larger than 4 GB, as the standard FAT32 system has file size limitations. NTFS also offers improved reliability and support for file permissions, making it ideal for use with Windows systems. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to format a flash drive to NTFS using Windows' built-in tools.

Step 1: Connect the Flash Drive to Your Computer

Insert your flash drive into a USB port on your computer and wait for the system to recognize it. Ensure that you’ve backed up any important data, as formatting will erase everything on the drive.

Step 2: Open “This PC” or “File Explorer”

Go to File Explorer (you can use the shortcut Win + E) and select “This PC” to view a list of all connected devices, including your flash drive.

Step 3: Select the Flash Drive and Open the Format Menu

Locate the flash drive, right-click on its icon, and select “Format” from the context menu. This will open the format settings window.

Step 4: Configure the Format Settings

In the format settings window, find the “File System” option and select NTFS from the dropdown menu. You can also set a volume label (name for the flash drive) and leave the allocation unit size at the default value unless you have specific requirements.

Step 5: Start the Formatting Process

After setting all options, click the “Start” button. A warning message will appear, notifying you that all data will be erased. Confirm to proceed, and the system will begin formatting the device.

Step 6: Wait for the Formatting to Complete

Once the formatting is finished, a notification will inform you that the process was successful. Your flash drive is now formatted in NTFS and ready to use.