All Raspberry Pi models have a microSD memory card as a storage medium. In some cases, comes included in a kit, and in others it must be purchased separately. Apart from being the place where the files are stored, this device is the starting point for the correct functioning of the operating system.
Sometimes, a common mistake is to think that the formatting of the microSD card for a Pi is done in the same way as for any other USB memory, but it’s not like that. These devices have a designated space for security aspects that must be treated with care, apart from requiring a certain configuration.
In this guide, we want to take you successfully in the formatting process, so that the operating system boots and we do not have any failure in the installation. Equally, we will show you various programs and tools that are useful to fulfill that function.
Why should you format an SD or MicroSD well before using it to install an OS on Raspberry Pi?
You came home, you take the Raspberry Pi out of its package, you connect it to a monitor and it doesn’t give you any image. You worry a bit, but no problem, that is because you have not formatted the memory card. And is that so that the operating system can be installed and can start without problems, it is necessary to comply with this step.
It should be noted that the SD card must have enough space to house all the things you want to store, including of course the operating system. You will determine the size of the unit according to the project that you plan to develop.
Learn step by step how to format an SD or MicroSD card to use it without problem on Raspberry Pi
The way to format the card you have chosen for your microcomputer is very simple, you just need to have the right program on hand And remember that when you format, everything you have there will be lost, just like when you do a conventional format.
Here are two useful programs to format your memory card:
With SD Memory Card Formatter
This software, in a simple way, gives you access to format any type of card and in a few seconds you will have leaving it completely clean of the content that you had stored.
Pay attention to the steps you must follow to format your card:
- Have the program downloaded, which has versions for Windows and Mac.
Download SD Memory Card Formatter for Windows
Download SD Memory Card Formatter for MacOS
- Now, perform the installation following the simple steps that appear on the screen.
- Insert the card in the memory reader.
- Run the program that you just installed.
- A window will open indicating “Select the unit” which you want to format.
- Choose “Quick format “.
- “Assign a name “ and click on the option “Format”.
- This will begin to clean the card and at the end of the process it will be ready to install the image.
With HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
Like the previous program, this allows to format any USB drive and has been developed by the HP computer company. The possibility of download your portable app for free, so you will not have no need to install it to run a good format. From an external device it will also work.
Download HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool for Windows
We leave you the steps to execute the format in a simple way:
- After you install the program on your computer, you must run as administrator.
- Insert the card in the memory reader and indicates what format you are going to give it, it must be “FAT 32“.
- You click on “Format”, the operation begins and in seconds you will have the card ready to be used.
List of the best programs and tools to format Micro SD and SD cards that you should know
The reasons why we need to format a card can be diverse, they go through solving compatibility problems, because a virus has been lodged, to delete all the files in a single operation or, as in the case at hand, install an operating system. The tools and programs go beyond the two that we explain in this article, there are many solutions that can be useful to you.
Here are five other alternatives for you to take into account:
Flash Memory Toolkit
This program brings a set of features that, in addition to formatting, it allows you to analyze memory cards and give them maintenance. It features an error detector, backup and file recovery. Among its advantages, it stands out that is compatible with USB sticks and that it has a section to take screenshots.
Download Flash Memory Toolkit for Windows
USB Disk Storage Format Tool
This useful program is made to work with the main formats used today. Apart of this, the formatting process is very quick and easy. Your device will be the same as when you bought it and thus be able to install the new applications.
Download USB Disk Storage Format Tool for Windows
HDD Low Level Format Tool
Removable disks, USB drives and memory cards are some of the devices that this program formats. Its impact reaches the point of rehabilitating a disk that does not allow access for various reasons. It should be noted that once the operation is done, it is impossible to recover the files. A favorable aspect is that the interface is friendly, allowing the fluidity of the work.
Download HDD Low Level Format Tool for Windows
Windows Explorer
This option is the last one and could not be left out of the list. It is very easy to use. Just enough “Right-click above the SD drive”, choose the option “Format“, “File system”, “Quick format” and “Start”. With these steps you will be deleting all the documents that you have on your storage device. With any of these programs that you choose, you will be able to fulfill your mission and leave the micro or SD card in optimal conditions to install it to the Raspberry Pi.