How to Format a USB Drive on Linux for Beginners in 2024

The most common file system format for Linux hard disks is ext4, with btrfs and ZFS gaining traction. These file system formats are Linux-specific, but the situation is different when using USB drives. For maximum flexibility and usability on Linux, Windows, or macOS, a USB drive should be formatted with a file system compatible with all three operating systems.

If we restricted ourselves to formats compatible with Linux, we wouldn't get the content we need. Neither of those follows Apple's proprietary format. FAT32 is our closest thing to a universal file-storage format. A USB drive formatted to Microsoft's specification will work for sharing among Windows, Linux, and macOS. That's great, until you try to store a file larger than 4GB in size. That's the built-in upper limit for file size in FAT32.

The exFAT file system lifts that restriction. Another Microsoft format, it has been compatible with macOS and Linux since kernel 5.4. With support from all three major operating systems, it is a strong contender for the best file system for USB devices. It has none of FAT32's drawbacks, and none of NTFS's overhead or extra features, so it is fast.

Formatting is what you need at such times, but many people see it as an annoying process and want to avoid it. So, in this article, we'll guide you through formatting your USB drive step by step. You can use the Disks utility or the Terminal for this task. Let's get started, then.

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Many people find formatting a USB drive to be a confusing process. There are a lot of different things to keep in mind with Windows, while it's much simpler with Linux. Don't worry, though – after reading this article, you'll be able to format your drive with no problem.

What is the best format for USB on Linux?

In order to store our favorite programs, movies, music, and even operating systems on USB flash drives, we often need to format them to free up all the storage space.

exFAT is currently the best file system for transferring files between Windows and Linux, especially when using USB flash drives and SD cards. Generally speaking, exFAT is a version of FAT32 without the 4 GB limit on file size. Since kernel version 5.4, exFAT is a native file system for Linux and no longer depends on FUSE.

Several file systems can be used with various types of storage, including Disk File System (DFS), Flash File System (FFS), and Tape File System (TFS), to name a few. However, this article will focus primarily on the FAT32, NTFS, and Ext4 disk file systems.

There are currently three main file systems (FAT32, NTFS, and Ext4) used for saving data on storage devices. Understanding their pros and cons can help you choose the best one for your needs.

Format Comparison

#1. FAT32

• FAT32 is the oldest format. The newer disk format is NTFS, and the latest is Ext4.

• FAT32 was first created in 1977. NTFS was introduced in 1993. The stable version of Ext4 was released on October 21, 2008.

Most current and recently discontinued operating systems, including DOS, most versions of Windows (up to 8), Mac OS X, and many Unix-like systems such as Linux and FreeBSD, are compatible with FAT32 and support reading from and writing to it.

#2. NTFS

• NTFS is fully compatible with Windows for reading and writing purposes from Windows NT 3.1 all the way up to Windows 8, including Windows 8.
• Mac OS X 10.3 and later can read NTFS file systems.
• You will need a third-party application, like Paragon NTFS for Mac, to mount an NTFS volume, however.

#3. EXT

One of the latest and greatest file system formats for Linux is called Ext4.

Ext4 modifies crucial filesystem data structures, including those used to store file data.

• With the adoption of ext4, users can still read the file system from other distributions or operating systems that do not support the ext4 standard.

The most ridiculous file system format is Ext3/4, which is not supported by Windows or Mac. A possible workaround is to create a small FAT32 partition, copy or install a program like Ext2Fsd on it, and then format the rest of the space as ext4.

Best USB format to use on Linux

When Microsoft introduced the NTFS file format to replace FAT32, not everyone was thrilled. With its large metadata overhead, NTFS was a poor fit for small storage devices like USB flash drives and SD cards, which needed a more streamlined file system. In response, Microsoft created something similar to FAT32, but with larger storage limits.

exFAT was introduced as the preferred file system for embedded devices. It is an extended version of FAT32 that can accommodate up to 128 PB (an amount that no storage device is likely to exceed anytime soon). exFAT is an efficient space utilization file format, similar to FAT32, that uses minimal system resources. This benefits portable storage devices because it allows them to make the most of every available inch of capacity instead of being limited by system partitions.

The fact that it is also supported by the Mac is an added bonus, as exFAT USB drives can be read and written to on a Mac, making them more portable than those formatted with NTFS. It takes a few more hops on Linux, but it is still doable.

Before formatting a USB drive on Linux, you should prepare the following: 1. **USB Drive**: Ensure that you have the USB drive inserted into your Linux system. 2. **Backup Data**: If the USB contains any important data, make sure to back it up elsewhere as formatting will erase everything. 3. **Permission**: You may need administrative privileges (sudo access) to format the drive, as it involves modifying system files. 4. **File System Knowledge**: Decide which file system you want to format the USB with, such as FAT32, NTFS, or ext4. Each has its own pros and cons, so choose based on your intended use. 5. **Terminal Access**: You'll likely use the terminal for formatting, so you should be comfortable with basic command-line usage or have guidance available. Once you've prepared these, you can proceed with the formatting process using tools like `fdisk` for partitioning and `mkfs` for creating the file system.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to format a USB drive in Linux using three quick and easy methods.

Step 1: Back up all important files to a USB drive

If the USB drive you want to format contains important files, make sure you back up all essential content to a different secure location.

Step 2: Choose a reliable Linux USB formatting tool

These are two popular tools that most Linux users would employ to format a USB flash drive for optimal use, so pick one to help you out.

• 1 - Terminal
• 2 - Disk Utility

You might also like: For guides on formatting USB on other platforms, refer to the links provided on this page for assistance.

How to Format a USB Drive on Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide

It's easy to share files across platforms with USB devices, and you can also use them to create bootable Linux installation media. Since specialized flash drives are plug-and-play, they're usually straightforward to use. But sometimes you may want to format a USB drive in Linux.

Fortunately, formatting a USB flash drive in Linux is easy, and you can do it quickly from the Terminal or with Disks.

## 1. Format USB Drive on Linux via Terminal

If you're comfortable with the terminal, making a USB device this way is straightforward, with a few command-line tools coming in handy, as shown below.

Step 1: Find your USB drive

Before you can format the USB drive, you need to find the right device. To get the drive's device name, use the lsblk command. Plug in the USB to a port of your choice and issue the command:

Locate the USB device in the terminal

By looking at its size, you can identify the correct one, which should be something like /dev/sdX, where X can be a, b, c, and so on. This is the device name.

Step 2: Unmount the USB device

Then you must unmount the USB partition. For the rest of this tutorial, we'll assume that the device name is /dev/sdb and the disk partition is /dev/sdb1 .

After you unmount the device with the umount command, you can format the USB.

Step 3: Format the USB drive

Once the device is unmounted, you can format it with the new file system. Since you won't be able to access any important files afterward, back them up first.

That command will format the USB drive with the popular FAT32 file system, but you can choose another one like NTFS or exFAT if you prefer.

Choose an alternative file system

To name your device, use the -n option.

Format the USB drive with Disk Utility

Most popular Linux distributions come with a disk management tool pre-installed, such as the GNOME Disks utility included with Ubuntu. Using this tool makes formatting a USB drive in Linux very straightforward. To format your USB drive, follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch Disks

Type “discs” into Dash's search menu to find the program. Click Disks to open it.

Step 2: Find your USB drive.

All of your storage options, including hard drives and USB devices, should be listed here. If it isn't, insert your USB drive and wait for it to appear in the list of connected devices. To select the USB drive, click on it.

Select a USB device

Step 3: Format the USB drive

Once you have the right device selected, you can proceed to format it. You can find the “Format Partition” option by clicking the gear icon at the bottom.

Click the "Format Partition" option.

Choose the partition type, name your USB drive, and use the dialog that appears to erase any previously stored data. FAT is the recommended partition type, as it's compatible with all systems and gadgets, but you can choose another if you prefer.

Next, click “Next” to display the data loss warning. To finish formatting the USB in Linux, click “Format.”

Click the “Format” button.

If you use KDE instead of GNOME, you can use the KDE Partition Manager in place of Disks. Since the steps are nearly identical, you shouldn't have any problems.

Conclusions

Linux offers several reliable tools to manage and manipulate USB disk devices. One such tool makes it easy to format USB Drive in Linux and create a new file system. Users comfortable with the command line can quickly format their USB drive from the terminal. However, for beginners, GNOME Disks might be more helpful. Feel free to drop a comment below if you have any questions, and share the article if you liked it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Formatting USB Linux 1. What is USB Linux? USB Linux refers to having the Linux operating system installed on a USB flash drive, making it a portable system. This allows you to run Linux on any computer that supports booting from USB without installing it on the hard drive. 2. Why do I need to format USB Linux? Formatting USB Linux is necessary to remove old installations, eliminate potential errors or viruses, and free up space for a new Linux distribution. Additionally, formatting can be a solution if the USB drive's performance declines or malfunctions. 3. How do I choose the correct file system format? FAT32 or exFAT is generally suitable for cross-platform compatibility, but they don't support large files. For Linux distributions, it's recommended to use NTFS or ext4 file systems, as they provide better performance and stability. 4. How do I format USB Linux? - In Ubuntu/Debian or similar Linux systems, use the "Disks" tool (also known as "Palimpsest"). - In Windows, use the "Disk Management" tool or third-party software like Rufus. - On macOS, use "Disk Utility." 5. Will formatting delete all data? Yes, formatting will completely erase all data from the USB drive. Therefore, make sure to back up important files before starting. 6. How do I create a bootable USB Linux after formatting? Use tools like Etcher, UNetbootin, or Rufus to write the Linux ISO image to the USB drive, turning it into a bootable disk. Follow the tool's instructions. 7. What should I do if I encounter problems during formatting? If you have issues formatting or creating a bootable USB, check if the USB drive is functioning properly, ensure you're using the latest tools, and follow the correct steps. If problems persist, seek help from online forums or communities. 8. Does formatting USB Linux affect its speed? Formatting itself doesn't impact the USB's speed. However, choosing different file systems might affect read/write speeds; for example, ext4 is typically faster than FAT32. 9. Can I install applications on USB Linux? Yes, many Linux distributions allow you to install apps on the USB drive, though this may affect performance since USB drives usually have slower read/write speeds than hard disks. 10. Is USB Linux suitable for daily use? USB Linux is a good choice for temporary use or trying out Linux on unfamiliar computers. However, due to the performance limitations of USB drives, it might not be ideal for long-term or high-performance needs.

If you still have doubts, reading the answers to the following questions should be helpful.

How to format a USB drive in Windows 10? To format a USB drive in Windows 10, follow these steps: 1. Insert the USB drive into an available USB port on your computer. 2. Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar or pressing the `Win + E` keys. 3. In the left-hand pane, locate and click on your USB drive. It should appear as a removable disk, such as "E:" or "F:". 4. Right-click the USB drive, then select "Format" from the context menu. 5. In the "Format" window that appears, configure the following settings: - File system: Choose the file system you want. For most purposes, select "NTFS," as it supports large files and better security. - Allocation unit size: You can adjust the partition size here if needed, but usually, no change is required. - Check box: If you want error checking during data writing, leave "Quick format" selected. By default, it's checked; however, for used drives, unchecking it might be safer, as it will perform a full format. 6. Verify that all settings are correct, then click the "Start" button. A warning will inform you that formatting will delete all data. Make sure you've backed up important files, then click "OK." 7. Wait for the formatting process to complete. This may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the USB drive. 8. Once formatted, the USB drive is now ready for use. Please note that formatting will permanently erase all data on the USB drive, so ensure you back up any important files beforehand.

There are some steps that need to be followed;

1. Insert a USB drive into a USB port. 2. Open File Explorer by clicking on "This PC" in the left panel. 3. Right-click on the flash drive under "Devices and Drives" and select "Format." 4. Choose an appropriate option from the "File System" dropdown menu. 5. Under "Allocation Unit Size," accept the default option. 6. In the "Volume Label" column of File Explorer, confirm the drive name, such as "KingstonUSB." 7. Depending on your needs, choose "Quick Format" under "Format options." 8. Click "Start" from the menu. 9. In the pop-up window, click "Yes."

Once it's formatted, you can use the USB flash drive to store documents, photos, videos, and more.

2. Can I format the USB for Linux and Windows?

Certainly, you can format the drive as NTFS, which works reliably on both Windows and Linux systems.

3. How to format a USB drive in Ubuntu?

1. **Open "Disks" on Ubuntu.** 2. **Under "Storage Devices," select the USB drive you want to format.** 3. **Under "Volumes," click the "Unmount Volume" button.** 4. **Choose an appropriate file system format by clicking "Format." For example, if you want to create a USB device that can be used with non-Linux systems like Windows, choose "FAT" as the file system.** 5. **Select "Format" from the menu.** 6. **When prompted with "Are you sure you want to format this volume?", click "Format."**

Depending on the file system you choose, the speed of the USB port on your computer, and the capacity of the storage device, formatting the drive can take from a few seconds to several minutes.