SD memory cards are most often used as a way to store photos on digital cameras or to extend the internal memory of cell phones and other portable media devices. Depending on the device, you may need the memory card in a certain format. You may also want to format the drive so that it can be accessed by both Windows and Mac computers. Whatever the reason or file system needed, formatting the memory card from your computer is simple.
Instructions
1. Insert the SD memory card into your computer's memory card reader. If the computer does not have a built-in memory card reader, you will need a USB adapter. Insert the memory card into the adapter and plug the adapter into your computer's USB port.
2. Open "My Computer." The SD memory card will be listed as a connected drive. It may be listed as "Removable Media."
3. Right-click the memory card within "My Computer." Select "Format..."
4. Set the capacity (in megabytes). Set the format--choose between FAT32 or NTFS. FAT32 is a file system format that can be read from/written to on both Windows and Macs. FAT32 cannot handle single files larger than 4GB (gigabytes). NTFS is the default file system format of Windows--this format cannot be accessed by Macintosh computers but can handle larger files than FAT32. Name the newly formatted drive if you'd like. Check "Quick Format" and click "Start." Windows will format the SD memory card.
Tags: memory card, file system, your computer, both Windows, card into
