Windows 10: Why did my USB drive become FAT32 out of thin air?

This post is also a bug report.

I have x86 bit windows 10 pro, latest version.

No viruses.


I was running a git bash command when I got an error in the command. I had just browsed around the drive normally. The error said "Unknown file system - is the disk drive corrupted?"


I was confused, so I browsed around the drive. The folder took too long to load. Then, the error came. Unknown file system. So I clicked the "Format" button, to see that it would erase the entire drive. When it showed options you could use to format it, it showed the default was FAT32! I was confused. I knew that having a FAT32 drive on NTFS would show some .sys files. I was more wondering how NTFS could INSTANTLY become FAT32.


I updated all drivers (it was something like NTCS family controller)

I then updated windows as I rebooted with the new driver, to get it working.

Now, when I boot up windows, I always get a black background, with some working GUIs, like personalized settings, and a startup program that is simply a bar. Then, personalized settings crashes and file explorer. I know this is because of a failed script, and this has happened once before. I will give an update as to when this stops.


How did this happen?

Are there any fixes?


I am currently trying my last 2 options of third party programs that will keep your files while formatting.

:)

 

Formatting USB drive to FAT32 file in Windows 10

Hi Rom,



Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. We appreciate your interest in Windows 10.



We will help you in resolving your issue.



Before assisting you further, I would like to ask you few questions related to the issue.



Does the issue persist specifically with one USB drive?

Does the USB drive work fine on other devices?

When you tried to format the drive, did you get any error message?

Are you able to view the contents in the USB drive when you connect it to the PC?



To format your USB drive to FAT32, follow the steps below:



Step 1: Connect your USB drive to the device and click on
Open folder to view files option.

Step 2: Right click on your USB drive and click on Format option.

Step 3: From the window, select FAT32 from the drop down bar under
File system.

Step 4: Click on Start and OK
to commence the formatting process.

Step 5: Once the formatting is completed click on OK.



Hope this helps!



We will be happy to assist you with any issues pertaining to Windows.



Thank you.

 

bootable USB drive?

in dos:

diskpart
list disk
select disk # //where # = your usb drive
create partition primary
select partition 1
set active
format fs=fat32 label="whatever"

 

Unable to open files on FAT32 Drives (Do not have permission)

Hi Chad,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft community.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused to you. I’ll certainly help you with this.

I would like to let you know that Windows 10 doesn't support FAT32 formatted drives. I suggest you to take the back up of the files and format the drive in NTFS format. To do so, follow these steps:

• 
  Connect the USB drive to the computer and right click on it.
  
• 
  Select format and set the file system to
  NTFS(default).
  
• 
  Select click on Start to format the USB drive.
  
• 
  Now, transfer the files to the drive and check if you are able to open the files.
  

Hope this will help you. Keep us posted with the status of the issue to assist you further.

Thank you.