Formatting an SD card/Windows

This is an add-on section for formatting an SD card to FAT32.

This page is for Windows users only. If you are not on Windows, check out the Linux or Mac pages.

What You Need

 * For all SD cards: the latest version of SD Formatter
 * For SD cards 64GB or larger: The latest version of guiformat

Instructions

 * -| 64GB or larger =

  Insert your SD card into your computer   If the SD card has any files and folders on it, copy everything to a folder on your computer   Run  (the   file) in the downloaded .zip file with Administrator privileges, then install the program   Run  from the Start Menu   Select your SD card’s drive letter for "Select card"   Enter anything that does not start with 3DS for "Volume label"   Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected   Click "Format" </li>  Click "OK" </li>  Wait for the format to finish </li>  Click "OK" </li>  Close SD Card Formatter </li>  Run </li>  Select your SD card’s drive letter for "Drive" </li>  Select a size for "Allocation unit size" <ul>  If the SD card is 64GB, choose 32768 </li>  If the SD card is larger than 64GB, choose 65536 </li> </ul></li>  Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected </li>  Click "Start" </li>  Click "OK" </li>  Wait for the format to finish </li>  Click "Close" </li>  If the SD card had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer </li> </ol>

Failed to open device: GetLastError=32
Close everything that may be using the SD card, such as any File Explorer windows.

GetLastError=1117
Your SD card write-protection switch may be enabled. The lock must be flipped upwards to allow writing to the SD card (including formatting).


 * -| 32GB or smaller =

<ol>  Insert your SD card into your computer </li> <li> If the SD card has any files and folders on it, copy everything to a folder on your computer </li> <li> Run  (the   file) in the downloaded .zip file with Administrator privileges, then install the program </li> <li> Run  from the Start Menu </li> <li> Select your SD card’s drive letter for "Select card" </li> <li> Enter anything that does not start with 3DS for "Volume label" </li> <li> Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected </li> <li> Click "Format" </li> <li> Click "OK" </li> <li> Wait for the format to finish </li> <li> Click "OK" </li> <li> Close SD Card Formatter </li> <li> If the SD card had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer </li> </ol>