Formatting erases everything on the drive, so copy off anything you need first.

• Windows 10 and 11: open File Explorer, select This PC, right-click the drive and choose Format. Pick exFAT for drives over 32 GB or files over 4 GB, or FAT32 for 32 GB and smaller drives used in older devices. Click Start.
• Mac: open Disk Utility, select the drive, click Erase and choose ExFAT (works on Mac and Windows) or APFS (Mac only).
• Camera, phone or console: format the card in the device itself, using its own menu.

The drive is formatted FAT32, which cannot hold a single file of 4 GB or more. Back up the drive, then reformat it as exFAT. exFAT works on Windows, Mac and most newer TVs and consoles.

Drive makers count 1 GB as 1,000,000,000 bytes; Windows counts 1 GB as 1,073,741,824 bytes. A 64 GB drive therefore shows as about 59.6 GB. A small amount is also used by the file system. This is normal and not a defect.

1. SD cards have a small lock switch on the side. Slide it up, toward the contacts. If you use a microSD adapter, check the adapter's switch, or try another adapter.
2. On Windows, open Command Prompt as administrator, type diskpart, then list disk, select disk N (your drive's number) and attributes disk clear readonly.
3. If it is still write-protected, the flash may have locked itself to read-only to protect your data. Copy your files off and contact Customer Care.

The drive's file system is damaged, usually from unplugging it while files were being written. If you need the data, try data recovery software before formatting. To reuse the drive, open Disk Management (right-click Start), right-click the drive, delete the volume, then choose New Simple Volume and format it.

Often, yes. Stop using the drive straight away so nothing overwrites the lost files, then try reputable data recovery software or a professional recovery service. Centon cannot recover data and is not responsible for lost data, so keep a backup of anything important in a second place.

Wait until copying has finished. On Windows, click Eject next to the drive in File Explorer or use Safely Remove Hardware in the taskbar. On a Mac, click Eject in Finder or drag the drive to the Trash. Unplugging during a write is the most common cause of corrupted drives.

Keep drives and cards away from heat, moisture and static, keep caps on and do not bend cards. Flash storage is reliable, but it should never be the only copy of important files.

The part number is printed on the retail package just above the UPC barcode, and on your receipt or invoice.

If you bought it from a store and are within its return window, an exchange at the store is fastest. Otherwise request an RMA on the Return a Product page with the part number, proof of purchase and a short description of the problem. An RMA number must be issued before you ship anything back. See the warranty terms.

1. Plug it into a port directly on the computer, not a keyboard or unpowered hub. On desktops, try the rear ports.
2. Try another port and another computer.
3. On Windows, open Disk Management (right-click Start). If the drive is listed without a drive letter, right-click it, choose Change Drive Letter and Paths and add one.
4. If it shows as RAW or unallocated, see the formatting questions above.

Yes. A drive formatted NTFS can be read but not written on a Mac; reformat it as ExFAT in Disk Utility to use it on both Mac and Windows.

Yes. USB is backward compatible; the drive runs at USB 2.0 speed in a USB 2.0 port.

Many players read only FAT32 and some only small drives or certain file types. Format the drive FAT32 (a 32 GB or smaller drive is the safest choice) and check the device manual for supported formats.

Drives without built-in encryption can be protected with software: BitLocker To Go on Windows Pro editions, an encrypted APFS volume on a Mac, or a free tool such as VeraCrypt.

Centon drives can usually be used to install or repair an operating system, but booting from them is not a supported use.

Yes. SSDs ship unformatted, so a new drive will not appear in File Explorer until it is set up. On Windows, open Disk Management, initialize the disk (choose GPT), then right-click the unallocated space and choose New Simple Volume. If the SSD replaces your startup drive, clone the old drive with cloning software or install the operating system fresh.

Check that the slot supports your drive type: some M.2 slots take only SATA or only NVMe. Make sure the drive is fully seated and screwed down, and check the BIOS to see whether the drive is listed. Then initialize it as described above.