How to Format a USB Flash Drive on PC or Mac

2025 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-24 13:28

This article explains how to delete all files stored on a USB stick using a Windows computer or a Mac.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Windows

Step 1. Connect the USB memory drive to your computer

You can use any of the computer's working USB ports.

Step 2. Double-click the This PC tab

It is displayed on the left side of the "File Explorer" system window.

To open the "File Explorer" window press the key combination ⊞ Win + E, then click on the item This PC.

Step 3. Select the USB key icon with the right mouse button

It is visible within the "Devices and Drives" section displayed within the right pane of the "File Explorer" window. A context menu will be displayed.

Step 4. Click on the Format… option

The "Format" dialog box will appear.

Step 5. Click the Start button

It is located at the bottom of the window that appeared. A warning message will appear informing you that all data on the USB stick will be erased.

Step 6. Click the OK button

At this point Windows will format the USB drive. At the end of the operation, the warning message "Formatting complete" will appear on the screen.

Step 7. Click the OK button

The window containing the warning message will be closed.

Method 2 of 2: macOS

Step 1. Connect the USB memory drive to the Mac

You can use any of the computer's working USB ports.

Step 2. Open a Finder window by clicking on the icon

It is located on the System Dock.

Clear a Flash Drive on PC or Mac Step 10

Step 3. Open the Applications folder

Click on the item Applications displayed on the left side of the window or double-click the "Applications" folder displayed within the right pane.

Clear a Flash Drive on PC or Mac Step 11

Step 4. Double-click the Utilities folder

Clear a Flash Drive on PC or Mac Step 12

Step 5. Double-click the Disk Utility icon

Clear a Flash Drive on PC or Mac Step 13

Step 6. Select the USB drive to format

It is listed in the left pane of the window.

Clear a Flash Drive on PC or Mac Step 14

Step 7. Click on the Initialize tab

It is located at the top of the window, above the right pane.

Clear a Flash Drive on PC or Mac Step 15

Step 8. Select a file system

The default Mac file system is Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and it should be the right one in most cases.

If you want to format the USB stick so that it can be used on a Windows computer, select the file system MS-DOS (FAT).

Clear a Flash Drive on PC or Mac Step 16

Step 9. Click the Initialize… button

It is located in the lower right corner of the window. A confirmation message will be displayed.

Clear a Flash Drive on PC or Mac Step 17

Step 10. Click the Initialize button again

All data on the selected USB drive will be deleted.

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