How to Create and Format exFAT Partitions in Windows 11/10/8/7 (Free Methods)

PAGE CONTENT:

What Partition Type is exFAT
Can I Partition exFAT Drive
How Do I Create A Drive in exFAT
How to Format exFAT Partition for Windows and Mac Computer

What Partition Type is exFAT

exFAT (Extensible File Allocation Table) is a file system released by Microsoft in 2006, compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, and commonly used on larger USB flash drives, memory cards, and thumb drives.

We like exFAT because it is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and even Linux.

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What Is exFAT Format

Can I Partition exFAT Drive?

Qiling Partition Master is a reliable disk management tool that optimizes disks and partitions for better performance and speed. It allows users to create, resize, move, format, delete, merge, and check partitions on various storage devices, including HDD/SSD, SD cards, and memory cards, supporting multiple file systems such as exFAT, NTFS, FAT32, FAT, EXT2, EXT3, and EXT4.

With the unveiling of Windows 11, some users may be receiving the update message. To prepare their drive for the upgrade, users can utilize a Windows 11 upgrade tool, which can perform additional tasks beyond just making the drive ready for the update.

Convert MBR to GPT, FAT to NTFS.
Take one click to migrate OS to SSD.
Manage or extend partitions on Windows 11 PC.
Clone disk or partition.

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This disk optimizer offers advanced features not typically found in Windows' built-in utility. If your disk management tool can't perform tasks like merging non-adjacent partitions or cloning all data to a new disk, this disk manager may be a useful alternative.

How Do I Create A Drive in exFAT

To create exFAT partitions, you can either directly select unallocated space and create a partition in exFAT, or free up some unallocated space first by using the "Resize/Move" function if your disk doesn't have enough free space.

How to Create exFAT partition with Qiling Partition Master:

Step 1.Launch Qiling Partition Master. On the main window, right-click on the unallocated space on your hard drive or external storage device and select "Create" to start the partition creation process.

Step 2.To create a new partition, you'll need to adjust the partition size, select a file system that suits your needs, assign a label, and possibly make other configurations as required.

Step 3.Click on the "Proceed" button to create a new partition.

Watch the video tutorial to learn how to create a partition in various file systems, including NTFS, FAT, and EXT.

How to Format exFAT Partition for Windows and Mac Computer - 4 Ways

When formatting a memory stick to exFAT, you have several options. Common methods include using the command line, Disk Management, or Windows Explorer, but you can also use a free format software to easily manage your USB drive.

If you want to completely wipe a hard drive, you'll need to format it, which will erase all data on the device. Before doing so, make sure to back up any important files and information to prevent loss.

1. Format exFAT in Windows 11/10 with Command Line
2. Using Windows Explorer to Format Partitions to exFAT
3. Format Hard Drive to exFAT
To format a hard drive to exFAT with a free exFAT format tool, you can use the built-in Disk Management tool in Windows or a third-party tool like EaseUS Partition Master. First, download and install the software, then launch it and select the hard drive you want to format. Choose the exFAT file system and confirm the formatting process.

1. Format exFAT in Windows 11/10 with Command Line

You can also format hard drive using command prompt.

Step 1.To open Command Prompt as an administrator, click the search icon and type "cmd" in the search box. Then, right-click on Command Prompt in the search results and select "Run as administrator".

Step 2.Type diskpart and press Enter.

Step 3.Type command lines and enter:

list volume
select volume * (* stands your volume number.)
format fs=exfat

Step 4.Once the formatting is finished, type exit to quit CMD.

2. Using Windows Explorer to Format Partitions to exFAT

Step 1.Connect your USB device to the computer and verify if it is detected by the system.

To check if a USB drive is connected, follow these steps: Open Windows Explorer, click on "This PC" from the left panel, and then check the "Devices and drives" tab to see if the USB drive is listed.

Step 2.To format a USB drive, right-click on it and select the "Format" option from the context menu.

Step 3.1. Click the "File System" tab. 2.

Step 4.Click the "Start" to move forward.

3. Format Hard Drive to exFAT

Step 1.Press the "Windows + X" keys on your keyboard, which will open a menu. From this menu, click on the "Disk Management" option.

Step 2.Right-click the hard drive or USB drive. Then select "Format".

Step 3.Select "exFAT" as your file system, check the box for "Perform a quick format", and click OK.

format usb using disk management

4. How to Format Hard Drive to exFAT with Free exFAT Format Tool

Qiling Partition Master stands out from the command line and Windows Explorer in its ease of use and extensive partition functions, particularly for exFAT format, which includes features like creating, resizing, and shrinking exFAT partitions. This free tool offers a user-friendly interface for formatting your disk, making it a convenient choice.

Get a free download:

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Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

How to Format Disk to exFAT:

Step 1. Select the USB drive to format.

Connect the USB drive or pen drive to your computer, then download and launch Qiling partition software. Next, right-click the USB drive you intend to format and choose "Format".

Step 2. Set the drive letter and file system on USB.

Assign a new partition label, file system (NTFS, FAT32, EXT2, EXT3, EXT4, exFAT), and cluster size to the selected partition, then click Proceed.

Step 3. Check "OK" to confirm formatting USB.

1. Click "OK" if you see the Warning window, and 2. Back up important data in advance if you have any on the device.

To Sum Up

If you prefer to use exFAT on your hard drives, SD cards, and USB drives, the methods on this post can help you create and format volumes in Windows 11/10/8/7 without any error. If you're unsure about creating or formatting, you can simply press the return key in Qiling Partition Master to go back to the first step.