This post shows how to convert exFAT to FAT32 using CMD and how to do if conversion failed.
“I have a SanDisk USB flash drive, formatted with exFAT file system. Recently, I want to convert my SanDisk USB flash drive to FAT32, thus I can transfer files among my computers running Windows, Mac and Linux respectively. I know that it is practical to format exFAT to FAT32 file system in File Explorer and Disk Management. But I would like to try to use CMD to convert exFAT to FAT32. Now, the problem is that I am unfamiliar with Command Prompt and I would like to know how to format exFAT to FAT32 using CMD.”
There is no doubt that FAT32 file system takes advantages over exFAT file system in compatibility. It is not only compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux but also supported by various devices like Xbox One, PS3, etc. FAT32 is the best format for external drive if you want to use the drive on devices owning different operating systems. And the detailed steps to convert exFAT to FAT32 using CMD are listed below (Take formatting USB flash drive in Windows 10 as an example):
1. Hook up the USB flash drive to your computer.
2. Run Diskpart as administrator.
(Press Windows + R to open Run box and input “diskpart” and press “Enter Key”.)
3. Type the commands below and every command should be followed with hitting “Enter”
▪ “list disk” – all disks connected to your PC will be listed. ▪ “select disk n” – “n” is the number of your USB flash drive. ▪ “list partition” – all partitions on the selected disk will be listed. ▪ “select partition m” – “m” is the number of your USB flash drive partition. ▪ “format fs= fat32” – the selected partition will be formatted as FAT32.
Then just wait the process finish and type exit to close the window.
If there are multiple partitions on your external drive, follow the commands below:
▪ “list disk” ▪ “select disk n” – “n” is the number of your USB flash drive. ▪ “clean” – all data and partitions on the selected disk will be deleted. ▪ “create partition primary” ▪ “format fs=fat32”
Notice: As format will make all data lost on your drive, you can back up the data that you care about before format.
Usually, you can format exFAT to FAT32 via CMD successfully. However, if you try to format partition over 32GB, you’ll receive the error message that the volume size is too big. And there are chances that you’ll be prompted by "the media is write-protected" error . In such case, it is a wise decision to turn to a professional third party format tool.
Here I recommend you to try powerful and reliable Diskpart CMD alternative – AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard. This freeware is able to convert partition beyond 32GB and write-protected USB flash drive or hard drive from exFAT to FAT32. Apart from FAT32, AOMEI Partition Assistant allows you to format exFAT to Ext2, Ext3, and NTFS. What’s more, it permits you to make conversion between NTFS and FAT32 without data loss. The detailed tutorial on formatting exFAT to FAT32 via AOMEI Partition Assistant is presented in the following text. And before the partition format, you should back up important files at first, as this operation will erase all data on the partition.
Step 1. Connect your USB flash drive or hard drive to a working computer and make sure it can be detected by your device. Then free download AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard.
Step 2. Install and run the software. Then, right-click the disk partition going to be formatted as FAT32 and choose “Format Partition”.
Step 3. Choose FAT32 on the drop-down menu. Then, click “OK”.
PS: In this window, you can add “Partition Label” to the partition as you like.
Step 4. Confirm your operation. Then, click “Apply” > “Proceed” to execute the operation.
Notices:
▪ AOMEI Partition is suitable for Windows systems including Windows 10/8/7, XP , and Vista. When you need to apply it on Windows Server, you can upgrade it to Server version.
▪ If you need to format system partition, you can make bootable media via this powerful software and boot your computer from it to enter WinPE environment.
According to what described above, we can know that there are some limits, although Diskpart Commands can help you to format exFAT to FA32. And when converting exFAT to FAT32 using CMD, there are chances that you select wrong disk or partition. Therefore, it is highly recommended to employ the Diskpart alternative – AOMEI Partition Assistant. Even the partition size is over 32GB or the disk is write-protected, this fantastic and professional software is able to change file system form exFAT to FAT32.