mkfs.vfat

mkfs.vfat is a command-line tool used to create a File Allocation Table (FAT) file system on a storage device. It is primarily used for formatting USB drives, SD cards, and other external storage devices in a FAT file system. The tool is often found in Linux distributions and is a part of the dosfstools package.

With mkfs.vfat, users can specify various parameters during the formatting process, such as the file system label, cluster size, and the number of reserved sectors. Additionally, it supports long file names (LFN) and different FAT versions, including FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32.

By default, mkfs.vfat uses the FAT32 file system format, which is compatible with various operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS. It allows for storing files larger than 4GB, unlike older FAT file system versions.

The tool effectively erases the existing file system on the storage device, creating a new FAT file system in its place. However, it is important to note that running mkfs.vfat will permanently delete all data present on the device, so caution should be exercised.

Overall, mkfs.vfat is a versatile command-line tool that enables users to create a FAT file system on their storage devices, providing compatibility and support for different operating systems and allowing for efficient storage and file management.