How to Fix Windows Was Unable to Format Error
This article applies to Windows users to fix "Windows was unable to complete the format error" on different storage devices such as SD memory card, USB flash drive, portable hard drive in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10.
Windows Is Unable to Format Disk That Is Write-Protected
Write-protection means that you are prohibited from performing any operation which may modify or delete content on the disk. When any device is write-protected, you can only open the device to read data, but you are not able to execute task like delete, move, write, copy or format on the device. Therefore, if Windows is unable to format a disk that is write-protected, you just need to remove the write-protection before formatting it.
Windows Was Unable to Complete Format on SD Memory Card
Memory cards including SD, SDHC, SDXC, micro SD, mini SD, CF, XD and memory stick are flash card which support different devices. For example, an SD, SDHC or SDXC is often used in different digital camera, PDA or mobile phone. Micro SD card is often used in mobile phone and CF card is available in digital cameras. When any memory card shows it cannot be formatted on Windows computer, the easiest way to resolve the problem is to insert the memory card to the proper device it supports and format it there.
Windows Reports It Was Not Able to Format Hard Drive External USB
Internal hard drive, external hard drive and USB flash drive are devices that are often used for large data storage and transferring from one computer to another. An internal hard drive is an essential part in a computer, which was usually formatted into different sectors. When you write files to a hard drive, external USB HDD or USB thumb drive, the data is written to different sectors on the devices. Windows may reports it was not able to complete the format on a hard drive, removable hard drive or flash drive when there is data being stored on the bad sectors.
Windows Was Not Able to Format CD-RW, DVD
CD-RW is a compact disc which can be erased and rewritten for many times. A DVD is a medium which is available for watching videos by using a DVD player. A DVD can hold more data than a CD. According to the technology of CD and DVD, if Windows was not able to format a CD or DVD, the most common reason might be the CD or DVD itself. In addition, the problem might result from a fault CD-RW, the driver is outdated or you use an improper program to format the CD or DVD.
Windows Cannot Format on Windows XP Vista 7 8 10
Support for Windows XP has ended in 2014. In addition, Microsoft also has stopped providing some support for Windows Vista and Windows 7. When you receive error message saying any device is unable to be formatted on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 10, please check if there is any outdated driver or program that needs to be updated.
Resource:
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