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formatting-sd-(windows): switch to sdFormatWindows #2664

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51 changes: 7 additions & 44 deletions docs/formatting-sd-(windows).md
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Expand Up @@ -10,18 +10,16 @@ This page is for Windows users only. If you are not on Windows, check out the [F

## What You Need

* **For all SD card sizes**: The latest version of [SD Formatter](https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/sd-memory-card-formatter-for-windows-download/)
* **For SD cards 64GB or larger only:** The latest version of [guiformat](https://nintendohomebrew.com/guiformat)
* The latest version of [sdFormatWindows](https://github.com/flashcarts/sdFormatWindows/releases/latest)

## Instructions

### Section I - SD Card Formatter
### Section I - sdFormatWindows

1. Insert your SD card into your computer
1. If the SD card has any files and folders on it, copy everything to a folder on your computer
1. Run `SD Card Formatter Setup` (the `.exe` file) in the downloaded `.zip` file with Administrator privileges, then install the program
1. Run `SD Card Formatter` from the Start Menu
1. Select your SD card's drive letter for "Select card"
1. Run `sdFormatWindows.exe`
1. Select your SD card's drive letter for "Select drive"

::: danger

Expand All @@ -30,50 +28,15 @@ This page is for Windows users only. If you are not on Windows, check out the [F
:::

1. Enter anything for "Volume label"
1. Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected
1. If your SD card is 64GB or larger, check "Format as FAT32 (SDXC cards only)"
1. Click "Format"
1. Click "OK"
1. Wait for the format to finish
1. Click "OK"
1. Close SD Card Formatter
1. If the SD card is 32GB or smaller and had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer

::: info

You're done formatting your SD card if it's **32GB or smaller.**

:::

### Section II - guiformat (ONLY for 64GB or larger)

1. Run `guiformat.exe`
1. Select your SD card's drive letter for "Drive"

::: danger

Make sure you choose the correct drive letter, otherwise you might accidentally erase the wrong drive!

:::

1. Select a size for "Allocation unit size"
+ If the SD card is 64GB, choose 32768
+ If the SD card is larger than 64GB, choose 65536
1. Enter anything for "Volume label"
1. Ensure that "Quick Format" is selected
1. Click "Start"
1. Click "OK"
1. Wait for the format to finish
1. Click "Close"
1. If the SD card had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer
1. Close sdFormatWindows
1. If your SD card had any files and folders on it before the format, copy everything back from your computer

## Troubleshooting

* guiformat shows the error "Failed to open device: GetLastError()=32"
+ Close everything that may be using the SD card, such as any File Explorer windows.
+ If this issue persists, try reformatting the card to NTFS in File Explorer, close that window when it's done, and re-attempt the guiformat process.

* guiformat shows the error "GetLastError()=1117"
+ Your SD card write-protection switch may be [enabled](/images/sdlock.png). The lock must be flipped upwards to allow writing to the SD card (including formatting).

* SD card remains undetected by console or continues to display the wrong capacity after formatting
+ Your SD card may be partitioned or have unallocated space. Follow the instructions [here](https://wiki.hacks.guide/wiki/SD_Clean/Windows) to reformat your SD card.
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