Format to FAT 16: This is how it works for USB stick, hard drive and SD card
FAT 16 is now almost extinct, but you can still format old USB sticks, SD cards and hard drives with the file system. In this practical tip, we will show you how to do it.
Format USB, SD and hard disk to FAT 16
- The successor FAT 32 was already introduced with Windows 95. FAT 16 remains active, but with some restrictions.
- You can only format memory cards, USB sticks and hard drives with a maximum capacity of 4 GB with FAT 16. The maximum file size is 2 GB.
Instructions for Windows: Format SD, USB and hard disk to FAT 16
- Press the [Windows] and [E] keys simultaneously so that the Explorer opens.
- Now navigate to the connected SD card, USB stick or hard drive and note the letter of the drive.
- Press the [Windows] and [X] keys simultaneously so that the "Execute" command opens.
- Enter "cmd" here and confirm with "OK". Then the command prompt starts.
- Now type in the following command and confirm with the [Enter] key: "format A: / FS: FAT / Q"
- You must replace the letter "A" with the respective letter of the drive. The disk is then formatted to FAT 16.
In the next practical tip, we will show you the difference between FAT, exFAT and NTFS.