How to reformat a USB stick

Written by Paul McGowan

Sometimes it is important to reformat a USB memory stick before using it for an upgrade on our products. PS products require USB sticks formatted in FAT 32. Follow these steps:

For Windows

WARNING: Formatting the USB device will delete all content on the device.
For Windows Operating Systems
  1. Connect the USB storage device to the computer.
  2. Open the Computer or This PC window, depending on your OS version:
    • Windows Vista and 7:
      • Click Start
      • Click Computer
    • Windows 8/8.1:
      • Type Computer in the search area from the Start screen
      • Tap or click Computer
    • Windows 10:
      • Type This PC in the search area from the Start screen
      • Tap or click This PC
  3. In the Computer or This PC window, right-click the drive icon in which the USB device appears.
  4. From the menu, click Format.
  5. In the Format device name (drive letter) window, under File system, click the drop-down arrow, select
    FAT32.
  6. At the WARNING... message, click OK to continue.
  7. At the Format Complete message, click OK.
  8. At the Format device name (drive letter) window, click Close.
  9. In the top-right corner of the Computer or This PC window, click the X to close the window.
  10. Eject the device before removing the USB stick.

For Mac

WARNING: Erasing the USB device will delete all content on the device.
  1. Connect the USB storage device to the computer.
  2. Open Disk Utility which can be found by opening:
    1. Finder
    2. Applications
    3. Utilities
    4. Disk Utility
  3. Click to select the USB storage device in the left panel.
  4. Click to change to the Erase tab.
  5. In the Volume Format: selection box, click
    MS-DOS FAT (add a name to the disk if asked).
  6. Click Erase.
  7. At the confirmation dialog, click the Erase.
  8. Close the Disk Utility window.
  9. Eject the USB memory stick
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