Best way to format a SD memory card

 

 

SD Formatter, designed specifically for Secure Digital Memory Cards, is considered the best utility to format SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

One of the most frequently asked questions deals with memory card problems, especially the ubiquitous Secure Digital memory card.

Formatting a memory card can often solve a host of problems, but not always.

For digital camera users, the preferred method to format a memory card is in their camera.

Though not generally recommended, some format the cards via a computer. But neither method is foolproof.

SD Formatter

SD Formatter is considered one of the best tools to format Secure Digital memory cards.

SD Formatter formats SD cards that comply with the SD File System Specification created by SD Association.

SD Formatter is designed specifically for SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards.

The utility differs from operating system format utilities that are meant to format a variety of storage media. 

SD Formatter better than operating system formatting utilities

The SD Association strongly recommends using the SD Formatter instead of formatting utilities provided with operating systems.

While formatting tools provided with operating systems can format a variety of storage media including Secure Digital memory cards, they may result in lower performance than using the SD Formatter.

For example, according to the SD Card Formatter, “SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards have a ‘Protected Area’ on the card for the SD standard’s security function.

Some utilities may format the protected area, SD Formatter does not.

Using SD Formatter results in better memory card performance and speed and it improves its overall lifetime.

SD Formatter three types of formatting operations

QUICK – quick formatting that only initializes the file system parameters in the card, but not the user data area.

FULL (Erase) – initializes the file system parameter in the card, and deletes all the user data areas. If there is something that doesn’t support the erase processing according to the SD interface device, the erase processing is skipped and is the same as if you selected the QUICK option.

FULL (OverWrite) – initializes the file system parameters in the card and all the user data areas.

Compatibility

We tested SD Formatter and can confirm it works on the following systems and devices:
 
• Windows and Mac OS: For users with an SD card slot on their computer, they should ensure it is compatible with SDXC cards with the SDXC driver installed.
 
• USB Secure Digital memory card reader.
 
• PC Card, CardBus, or ExpressCard sd adapter.
 
For exact system requirements and to download a free copy of the latest SD Formatter, visit the official SD Card Formatter website. 

 At the time of writing, we saw user manuals available in the following languages: English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

SD Formatter works with Windows and Mac OS

SD Formatter works with a number of Windows and Mac operating systems. It can be used with the following devices:

• Secure Digital slot on a computer – Important for SDXC card users: contact your computer manufacturer to confirm the SD slot on your computer is compatible with SDXC cards and for the availability of the SDXC driver.
  
  
• USB Secure Digital memory card reader
  
  
• PC Card, CardBus, or ExpressCard SD adapter

For system requirements and to download a free copy of SD formatter, visit the SD Formatter website. As of this writing, user manuals are available in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

SD Formatter or in-camera formatting?

“The SDA does recommend using the SD Formatter to format SD Cards rather than the formatting utilities provided in SD host devices such as digital cameras. 

The formatting utilities in SD host devices may not format SD Cards correctly, causing operability issues.”