View source for Formatting an SD card/Windows

<languages/>
<translate>
<!--T:1-->
This is an add-on section for formatting an SD card to FAT32.

<!--T:3-->
This page is for Windows users only. If you are not on Windows, check out the [[Special:MyLanguage/Formatting an SD card/Linux|Linux]] or [[Special:MyLanguage/Formatting an SD card/Mac|Mac]] pages.
</translate>

== What You Need == 
*<translate><!--T:4--> '''Required for all SD cards''': the latest version of <tvar name="sdformatter">[https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/sd-memory-card-formatter-for-windows-download/ SD Memory Card Formatter]</tvar></translate>
*<translate><!--T:5--> '''For SD cards 64GB or larger''': The latest version of <tvar name="guiformat">[http://ridgecrop.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm guiformat]</tvar></translate>

<translate>
== Instructions == <!--T:39-->
</translate>

<tabber>
|-|<translate><!--T:40--> 64GB or larger</translate>=

<ol>
<li><translate><!--T:22--> Insert your SD card into your computer</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:23--> If the SD card has any files and folders on it, copy everything to a folder on your computer</translate></li>
<li><translate>Run <code>SD Card Formatter Setup</code> (the <code>.exe</code> file) in the downloaded .zip file with Administrator privileges, then install the program</translate></li>
<li><translate>Run <code>SD Card Formatter</code> from the Start Menu</translate></li>
<li><translate>Select your SD card’s drive letter for "Select card"</translate>{{warning|<translate nowrap>Make sure you choose the correct drive letter, otherwise you might accidentally erase the wrong drive!</translate>}}</li>
<li><translate>Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected</translate></li>
<li><translate>Click "Format"</translate></li>
<li><translate>Click "OK"</translate></li>
<li><translate>Wait for the format to finish</translate></li>
<li><translate>Click "OK"</translate></li>
<li><translate>Close SD Card Formatter</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:24--> Run <code>guiformat.exe</code></translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:25--> Select your SD card’s drive letter for "Drive"</translate>{{warning|<translate nowrap><!--T:26--> Make sure you choose the correct drive letter, otherwise you might accidentally erase the wrong drive!</translate>}}</li>
<li><translate><!--T:27--> Select a size for "Allocation unit size"</translate>
<ul>
<li><translate><!--T:28--> If the SD card is 64GB, choose 32768</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:29--> If the SD card is larger than 64GB, choose 65536</translate></li>
</ul></li>
<li><translate><!--T:31--> Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:32--> Click "Start"</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:33--> Click "OK"</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:34--> Wait for the format to finish</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:35--> Click "Close"</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:36--> If the SD card had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer</translate></li>
</ol>

<translate>
=== Common errors with guiformat === <!--T:37--> </translate>
==== Failed to open device: GetLastError()=32 ====
<translate>
<!--T:38-->
Close everything that may be using the SD card, such as any File Explorer windows. If it does not resolve the issue, try formatting the card to NTFS, then run GUIFormat again.
</translate>

==== GetLastError()=1117 ====
<translate>
<!--T:41-->
Your SD card write-protection switch may be [https://3ds.hacks.guide/images/sdlock.png enabled]. The lock must be flipped upwards to allow writing to the SD card (including formatting).
</translate>

|-|<translate><!--T:42--> 32GB or smaller</translate>=

<ol>
<li><translate><!--T:7--> Insert your SD card into your computer</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:8--> If the SD card has any files and folders on it, copy everything to a folder on your computer</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:9--> Run <code>SD Card Formatter Setup</code> (the <code>.exe</code> file) in the downloaded .zip file with Administrator privileges, then install the program</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:10--> Run <code>SD Card Formatter</code> from the Start Menu</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:11--> Select your SD card’s drive letter for "Select card"</translate>{{warning|<translate nowrap><!--T:12--> Make sure you choose the correct drive letter, otherwise you might accidentally erase the wrong drive!</translate>}}</li>
<li><translate><!--T:14--> Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:15--> Click "Format"</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:16--> Click "OK"</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:17--> Wait for the format to finish</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:18--> Click "OK"</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:19--> Close SD Card Formatter</translate></li>
<li><translate><!--T:20--> If the SD card had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer</translate></li>
</ol>
</tabber>

==SD Card not formatting or has some other issue.==
Refer to the [[SD Clean/Windows|SD Clean]] guide.

{{hg imported|Guide_3DS}}

[[Category:General guides]]