How to Format SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD Windows 11/10

Do I need to format SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD?

Whether you need to format your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD depends on how you plan to use it. Here are some scenarios where formatting might be necessary:

1. If you just bought it new

Most SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs come pre-formatted in exFAT, which is compatible with both Windows and macOS. You usually don't need to format it unless you prefer a different file system.

2. If you want a different file system

exFAT (Default) works on Windows and macOS, but lacks advanced permissions.

NTFS is best for Windows users, but macOS can only read it without additional software.

APFS / Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is ideal for Mac users but not compatible with Windows without extra software.

FAT32 works across all platforms but has a 4GB file size limit.

3. If you experience issues

If your SSD is not recognized or you get errors like "corrupted drive" or "read-only mode", the formatting might help fix the issue.

4. If you want a fresh start

If you've used the SSD for a while and it has junk files or errors, a format can clean it up and restore performance.

How to format SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

Before proceeding with formatting your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD, ensure that all essential files are backed up. Formatting will erase everything, and without a backup, any data stored on the drive will be permanently lost.

Once your files are safely backed up, you can begin the formatting process. Below are four effective methods to format your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD—choose the one that best suits your needs.

Way 1. Format via disk manager

There are several reasons why users may need to format a SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD on Windows. To simplify the process, AOMEI Partition Assistant offers a powerful solution. This professional disk management tool enables users to efficiently handle SSD partitions, making formatting quick and hassle-free.

Step 1. Download, install, and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Right-click the partition on the SanDisk disk, and select “Format Partition”.

Step 2. In pop-out window, type partition label, and choose file system and cluster size as you wish. Then click “OK”.

Step 3. Then click "Apply" in the main interface to commit the task.

Way 2. Format via Disk Management

On Windows, Disk Management provides a built-in tool for formatting your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD. Follow these steps to complete the process:

Step 1. 1. Right-click on “This PC” on your desktop and select “Manage”. In the popup window, select “Disk Management” under “Storage” on the left side.

Step 2. Locate your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD, right-click on it, and choose Format from the menu.

Step 3. In the Volume Label field, enter a new name for your SSD.

Step 4. Select the desired file system format (e.g., NTFS, exFAT, or FAT32) and click OK.

Step 5. Check the Perform a quick format option, then click Start to begin the process.

Way 3. Format via File Explorer

Another simple method to format your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is through File Explorer. Follow these steps to complete the process:

Step 1. Plug in your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD and open File Explorer.

Step 2. Find your SSD in the list of available drives, right-click on it, and select Format.

Step 3. Select the preferred file system, check the Quick Format box, and click Start to begin the process.

Way 4. Format via Command Prompt

For advanced users, formatting a SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD using Command Prompt provides greater control. Here’s how to format your SSD to FAT32:

Step 1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.

Step 2. Type each command below, pressing Enter after each:

list disk

select disk 2 (Replace 2 with your SSD’s disk number)

list partition

select partition 1 (Replace 1 with your SSD’s partition number)

format fs=exfat

Step 3. Allow the process to finish, then close the Command Prompt.

Conclusion

To summarize, there are multiple ways to format your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD on Windows, each catering to different levels of user expertise. Whether using Disk Management, File Explorer, or Command Prompt, the best method depends on your needs.

For a more efficient and user-friendly solution, AOMEI Partition Assistant is highly recommended. In addition to disk formatting, AOMEI software has many other powerful features to manage disks and partition better like resizing/moving partition on SSD, testing SSD writing speed, cloning SSD, etc.