fatlabel

Fatlabel is a command line tool used for changing the label of a FAT file system. It is primarily used to modify the volume label of a FAT16 or FAT32 file system. The volume label is a name assigned to a particular storage device such as a USB drive or an SD card.

The fatlabel command follows a simple syntax, allowing users to specify the device and the desired label as arguments. It must be executed with root or administrator privileges in order to modify the file system.

This tool is commonly used for organizing and identifying storage devices by assigning meaningful names to them. It allows users to rename their storage devices according to their preferences and needs.

Fatlabel supports a wide range of characters in the volume label, such as alphabets, numbers, and certain special characters, but it has some limitations. The label cannot exceed a certain length, typically limited to 11 characters for FAT16 and 32 characters for FAT32.

One can also use fatlabel to retrieve the current label of a FAT file system by running the command followed by the device name without specifying a new label. This is useful for checking the current label or writing scripts that require accessing the label information.

The fatlabel command is typically found on Linux systems, but it may be available on other operating systems as well. It is part of the dosfstools package, which provides tools for managing FAT file systems.

The fatlabel command is a powerful tool, but users should exercise caution when using it. Modifying the label incorrectly can potentially render the storage device inaccessible or cause data loss. Always double-check the command and ensure you have a backup of any important data before making any changes.