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Format SD Card on Windows 10, Mac, Camera, CMD

Formatting your SD card before use is an important step for all photographers.

In this post, you’ll learn how to Format an SD Card and avoid corrupt and half-full cards before a shoot.

We cover formatting in Windows 10, Mac, in-camera (GoPro and DSLR), and using CMD.

Format an SD Card

Here are the specific steps for formatting your SD card in these different methods by downloading formatter.

Three of the following methods require you to connect directly to your computer.

If you need some help connecting, here are 4 ways to do this. And here’s how to overcome connection problems.

You’re not going to want to forget this step. If you just jump into the guides below and forget this step, you’ll lose all your photos and videos.

Please remember, once you reformat an SD card, all your media will be permanently gone.

Okay, with this reminder out of the way, let’s get on to successfully scrubbing your SD cards.

First, here’s what you’ll need:

Computer running Windows 10

Micro SD card adapter / USB micro SD card reader (If using micro SD card): To enable your computer to read your memory card, you’ll need an adapter (that will allow you to insert in an SD card port in your computer) or a micro SD card reader (that can be inserted in your USB port on your computer).

SD card port (built-in) or SD card reader: If using a standard size SD card, you’ll need a port in your computer, or a USB card reader.

Step 1- Insert your SD card into your computer, using either the SD card slot or USB port (with a reader). If the card isn’t recognized automatically, press Window Key + E. This will open File Explorer.

Step 2- Navigate to “This PC” in the left sidebar. Your SD card should be visible under this header.

Step 3- Right-click on your SD card and select “Format”.

Step 4- Here you can add “Volume Label” and give a name to your SD card.

Step 5- You’ll see a warning message (Formatting will erase ALL data). Click OK (if you already backed up your photos and videos). Once it completes formatting, you’ll see the “Format Complete” window. Click OK to close the window.

You have now successfully formatted your SD card using your Windows 10 computer. 

You have now successfully formatted your SD card using your Windows 10 computer.

And you’re ready to head out on your next adventure with a fresh memory card.

You can also select “Restore Device Defaults” to factory reset the card to its original settings.

How to Format an SD Card on Mac?

Here’s how to format your SD card on your Mac computer. It’s also a very simple process.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Step 1- Mac computer

Step 1- SD card reader: If using a standard size SD card, you’ll need a USB SD card reader. If using a microSD card you will need either a MicroSD card adapter or USB microSD card, reader.

Step 2- Insert your SD card into your computer using your external card reader.

Step 3- Open Disk Utility. Navigate to your SD card. If it is a new card, it will probably be named “untitled” or “no-name”.

Step 4- Click the “Erase” tab. Then select “Format”. Choose MS-DOS (FAT32) if your card is 32GB or smaller. Select exFat if your card is 64GB or larger.

Step 5- You’ll see a confirmation message: “Are you sure you want to erase the partition “[your card name]?” Click “Erase”.

You have now successfully formatted your SD card on your Mac. See more on FAT32 / exFAT setting at the end of the post.

How to Format an SD Card on GoPro Camera?

It’s my preference to format SD cards inside of the camera. I feel more confident that they are set up correctly for that model.

GoPro cameras add a basic file structure when the card is formatted in-camera.

Unlike the first two options, you don’t really need any additional gear. You already own the camera and microSD card.

Here’s how to do it.

If you’re familiar with your camera, here’s how to format the card: Menu > Preferences > Reset > Format SD Card

Here is the step by step instructions. These instructions are for the Hero8 but will work almost identically for the previous models (especially the Hero5, Hero6, and Hero7 models).

Step 1- With the camera on, swipe down to view Menu.

Step 2- Tap Preferences.

Step 3- Scroll to the bottom and tap Reset

Step 4- Tap Format SD Card (Top option)

Step 5- Tap Format (confirming that you’ll delete all your files and reformat the card).

Congratulations! You just formatted your microSD card with your GoPro camera.

How to Format an SD Card on a Canon DSLR?

I prefer this method for formatting SD cards for my DSLR.

Because it is formatted inside the camera, I feel it will be less glitchy. And so far so good!

And just like the previous method, you don’t need any additional gear. You already own the camera and SD card.

Here’s how to do it on a Canon DSLR. The settings for Nikon and other DSLR cameras will be very similar.

If you’re familiar with your Canon camera, here’s how to format the card: Menu > Camera Settings 1 tab > Format

Step 1- With the camera on, press the Menu button.

Step 2- Navigate to the Camera Settings 1 tab.

Step 3- Select Format

Step 4- Select OK to format your card.

And there you have it. You have successfully formatted your SD card in your DSLR camera.

How to Format an SD Card Using CMD (Windows 10)?

This method is beyond my skill level. I haven’t done this, but I know lots of people like this option.

Here are the seven steps to format an SD card using CMD in Windows 10/8/7.

Step 1- Type cmd in the search box in Windows 10, and then you’ll get the best match Command Prompt. Right-click on it and choose “Run as administrator”.

Step 2- In the command prompt, type diskpart and press “Enter”.

Step 3- Type list disk to list all the available drives and press “Enter”.

Step 4- Type select disk + disk number ( for example, select disk 2) to select the SD card you want to format and press “Enter”.

Step 5- Type list volume and press “Enter”.

Step 6- Type select volume + volume number (or example, select volume 10) and press “Enter”.

Step 7- Type format fs=ntfs (or format fs=exfat) and press “Enter” to format the drive with NTFS or exFAT.

These steps are by the experts over at EaseUS.

I’ll be honest. I’m not sure why anyone would use this method. It is slower and more complicated than any of the other methods. 

But now I need to give it a try.

It’s been many years since I ran Command Prompt for any reason.

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