Format SD cards
Memory cards that are regularly written with new files should be completely reformatted regularly to get rid of leftover data and to make better use of the storage space.
The SD Memory Card Formatter has two different modes for this. On the one hand the "Fast format", which formats the card only quickly.
With this format function, a new table of contents is created on the partition for the files to be saved.
However, the previously saved data will not be overwritten and will simply no longer be displayed. With a recovery software version like Recuva, the files could be restored.
On the other hand, there is the "Overwrite format" format mode, which is drastic.
It not only creates a new table of contents but also makes short work of the existing data and deletes it from the partition before formatting.
This process takes a long time depending on the size of the SD card.
For an even more thorough deletion of the existing data, you can ask the freeware to overwrite all data on the card with random data, then delete them again, and only then start formatting.
This takes even longer, but it is particularly effective if you want to avoid any personal data remaining on the card. Even recovery software can then no longer restore them.
Operate the SD memory card formatter
The user interface of the SD Memory Card Formatter is kept quite simple.
Once installed on the hard disk and started with administrator rights, the SD card to be formatted must be selected under "Select Drive".
Here you have to look carefully and exercise caution so that the wrong storage medium is not accidentally formatted.
It is best to remove all storage media that should remain untouched - if possible.
With "Refresh" the software scans the selected memory card and provides various data such as the current and maximum memory space.
The card name can be changed under "Volume label" and the mode for formatting can be selected under "Formatting options".
After the start, the SD card is formatted and you get a freshly formatted, empty SD card.
System requirements
The SD Memory Card Formatter is available for Windows (7/8/8.1/10), and Mac OS X 10.7, Mac OS X 10.8, Mac OS X 10.9, Mac OS X 10.10, Mac OS X 10.11, and macOS 10.12.
The format tool can surround with SD cards, SDHC cards, SDXC cards, MicroSD cards, microSDHC cards, and microSDXC cards.
The computer used also needs an integrated SD card reader or an external SD card reader that is connected via USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, or USB-C.
The card readers must also be able to be surrounded by SD cards, MicroSD cards, SDHC cards, SDXC cards, microSDHC cards, and microSDXC cards.