Change Allocation Unit Size Without Formatting. This article introduces a professional disk management tool

This article introduces a professional disk management tool to help with changing the cluster size. Choosing a relatively small size compared to the files stored, results in excessive access overhead. Open Windows File Explorer, and navigate to your USB Drive. Hope it helps! Jan 9, 2025 · Basically, the allocation unit size is the block size on your hard drive when it formats NTFS. Jul 27, 2016 · First thing I realize: the customer has not formatted the disks with an allocation unit size set to 64KB, the disks are formatted with the default 4KB unit size. The cluster size determines how your file systems structure your storage device. Sep 12, 2025 · Select the File System (usually NTFS for Windows) in the dialog box that appears, enter the Allocation Unit Size (usually 4096) and click the Perform a quick format checkbox. Nov 26, 2020 · When creating partitions in Windows, cluster size will be set by default. I do not know how to make an intelligent choice for the Allocation unit size, and why. This article will explain how to format your drive in Windows and Mac OS 10+. Milestone recommends that you use a dedicated hard disk drive for recording storages and archives to prevent low disk performance. Now this post offer a way to change cluster size without formatting. This video tutorial explains what Allocation Unit Size to use for what situation, to help you solve how to format your hard drive, SSD, or USB flash media. Nov 1, 2024 · Allocation Unit Size: This is the basic block size used by the file system when you format your drive. Dec 19, 2023 · What’s the best allocation unit size for SSD? How to change SSD allocation unit size? To get the answers, you can focus on this post. If you’ve ever experienced a USB flash drive working on a PC but not on a Mac or vice-versa, it’s the drive’s formatting that’s usually the culprit. This article will show you how to change cluster size FAT32 partition without formatting and this method is also suitable for NTFS partition. Mar 16, 2023 · Do you know what the best allocation unit size for exFAT is? How to change the allocation unit size for exFAT partition? You can find answers in this post. Change cluster size without formatting drives? I've been using a pool in storage spaces with all of the drives without issue for the last two years or so. It is necessary to change cluster size if you want to get the best performance of disk. ) If we reformat the disk with 2048 kilobytes Allocation unit size (Cluster size) Partition with 2048KB Allocation unit size Nov 2, 2024 · When you format a drive, you will enter a volume label and select the capacity, file system, allocation unit size, full or quick format, and to enable file and folder compression or not. AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard is such an easy-to-use freeware that can help you format partition to change cluster size from 4K to 64K without losing data. Hope it helps! Jun 21, 2023 · A lot of users are confused about the allocation unit size SD card and USB. Apr 11, 2020 · Format New Volume Bonus 1 Changing Allocation unit size by formating (Large allocation unit size can be beneficial at performance for saving large files, but will increase wasted space when saving small files. This allowed me to format the small partition in the smaller allocation unit size and I was able to flash the firmware as I needed. Right click the USB Drive and select Format. Nov 11, 2015 · Hi folks, I've got 4x8TB and 2x6TB drives in a 6 drive DrivePool with 2x duplication on all files, and 3x duplication for a specific folder. 6 days ago · All in all, you should select the allocation unit size for exFAT based on space efficiency, disk performance, and storage types. File is 2kB allocation unit is 128kB so system adds missing 126kB to file making it 128kB, this is what I was thinking but I didn't knew it's impact on speed and if should I increase allocation unit. Jun 13, 2020 · I am trying to format a brand new 1TB Western Digital blue mechanical hard drive using Windows 7 Disk Management. If you're uncertain about which one to choose, you can stick to the default allocation unit size suggested when you format the drive. What is allocate unit size and which is best for ntfs gaming and which is best selection for allocate unit size exfat fat32 ntfs. Normally, you would just use the default allocation unit size that appears (usually 4096 bytes for NTFS) when you select the file system you want. Nov 21, 2023 · What’s the best allocation unit size for gaming or video files in Windows 10? Can you change the allocation unit size with/without formatting? Here, this post from MiniTool Partition Wizard explores the detailed information about this topic. AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard is a recommended free partition manager that can help you change cluster size through “Format Partition” function. Jul 4, 2025 · This page elaborates on the best exFAT allocation unit size and provides two ways to change and set exFAT allocation unit size. Jul 4, 2025 · This article can tell readers what NTFS allocation unit size is the best and how to change and reset it. Mar 26, 2023 · You should stick with the default allocation unit size that is suggested when you format your storage device unless you have an extremely specific reason to change it. Dec 6, 2013 · But the format included does not allow any sort of allocation size, normally it would be /A:size -- but doesn't see to work with recovery console and 2k3 Just boot newer OS, and format using that Jun 21, 2023 · A lot of users are confused about the allocation unit size SD card and USB. As an example, I have a virtual machine that occupies 30GB in a single file, so what would be, more or less, the appropriate size? Jul 5, 2023 · What is allocation unit size? What is another name for a file allocation unit? How can you change allocation unit size? You will get the answers in this post. One example is the MiniTool Partition Wizard (all non-free versions): Jul 12, 2024 · This post guides on how to change block size from 4K to 64K with/without formatting. Jan 5, 2026 · If you want to change your block size from 4K to 64K but don't know how, then this article is for you. When you plan to change the block size of your hard drive, you can make use of MiniTool Partition Wizard to complete the operation directly. Change file allocation unit size without format Helpful? Please support me on Patreon: / roelvandepaar more Dec 28, 2016 · One of our production drives in one of our VMs (vmware esxi) is full of data and was initially created with 4kb cluster size basic disk in windows 7 pro and has reached a maximum size of 16TB and ee need to expand it even more. Jul 21, 2025 · Now you can format the new partition with the 4096 allocation size. . You should only really change the allocation size if you're storing lots of small files on the drive as the overhead is less. If you have lots of small files, then it’s a good idea to keep the allocation size small so your harddrive space won’t be wasted. May 24, 2024 · When we use hyper-v what should i select for NTFS allocation unit size when formatting the disk for store the vhd files? As i know the VHD will have larger file size, so higher NTFS allocation unit size will increase the performance? Aug 28, 2014 · While installing Windows OS (assume win 8. Freeware to change cluster size Besides Windows File Explorer and Diskpart, you can also use a 3rd party partition manager to change cluster size. This comprehensive guide shows you how to optimize your SSD performance, adjust cluster size for gaming, and resize disk allocation without formatting your drive. Continue reading for a step-by-step guide and understand the background of this tutorial. The formatting process includes selecting the allocation unit size for USB. Follow the steps to allocate size to a partition: a. Dec 23, 2025 · This informative passage provides you with efficient solutions and tips to change cluster size without formatting, optimizing your storage efficiency. Jun 5, 2012 · Is it possible to change a hard drive's file allocation unit size without formatting or at least not lose files? There are third party partition managers that allow you to change the cluster size without reformatting. Once after installation you may change the allocation size of the partition by going to Disk Management. This post analyzes it in detail and provides a way to change allocation unit size. Allocation unit size 8gb sd card 2gb sd card 32gb sd card 64gb sd card fat32 exfat 256gb sd card or ntfs sd card. Oct 25, 2021 · I understand that, when formatting the unit, the choice of the allocation unit size may be important and depending on the size of the files to be used, one size or another may be better. Formatting allows you to prepare the flash drive for your device and creates a filing system that organizes your data while improving storage capabilities. Dec 3, 2024 · This post introduces what allocation unit size is and shows you how to choose a proper FAT32 allocation unit size. To my knowledge formatting a drive is the only way to accomplish allocation unit size changes Mar 27, 2024 · This article discovers the best allocation unit size USB, provides 3 ways to change the size, and teaches you how to convert USB between FAT32 and NTFS without data loss. May 12, 2023 · Type format fs=ntfs unit=64k and press Enter. Now change the File system to exFAT. Dec 23, 2025 · The "Allocation Unit Size" feature allows you to change the size of a storage device's cluster. Jan 25, 2017 · 4 ways to change cluster size from 4k to 64k in Windows 7, Windows 10: change cluster size in Partition Expert, or do it in command prompt, and also format partition to 64k cluster. Can we can do that using command prompt window? Hello! Is it possible to change the unit allocation size for an Exfat SSD without formatting on mac? Just as the title says; I have an SSD external which has block sizes set to: Device Block Size: 512 Bytes Allocation Block Size: 1048576 Bytes Aug 29, 2014 · Hi Manish, After starting the installation process you will get an option to set the set the allocation size of the partition in which you are trying to install the Operating System. Click Start when you’re ready and OK to the warning. Step 1. Learn how. Jan 2, 2025 · This page tells methods to change cluster size from 4k to 64k for hdd or ssd without data loss or without formatting. Change Allocation unit size to Default allocation size. Oct 27, 2023 · •exit 2. Feb 23, 2025 · 1 Is there a way to set allocation unit size of the C drive to something other than the default 4kB (during installation)? I want to run a Windows VM, and the storage which would contain it has 32kB block/record size so I want to match the allocation unit size of NTFS. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Mar 26, 2023 · Allocation unit size determines how data is stored on a drive; learn how to choose the best option for formatting. Capacity: This will be for how much data capacity you want to select out of the available size of the partition/volume. And you can also get the best solution to change it. With a handy tool and a method, you can easily change the cluster size. Unlock valuable insights for hassle-free cluster adjustments. It is not giving me the option to select an allocation unit size less than 4096 byt Formatting allows you to prepare the flash drive for your device and creates a filing system that organizes your data while improving storage capabilities. Jan 12, 2026 · You can easily change the Hard Disk Cluster Size in Windows 11/10 via the built-in Format utility or Diskpart command-line tool. Here's how to use this program to change the cluster size without formatting: Right-To change the disk partition, click on the disk whose partition you want to modify and select the "Advanced" option. May 8, 2025 · Scratching your head to set the right allocation unit size while formatting a drive? Read this post to know the answer. When you format the hard disk, it is important to change its Allocation unit size setting from 4 to 64 kilobytes. The following table shows the default cluster size for NTFS when Windows XP uses formatting. It was suggested to see if perhaps Acronis Disk Director could safely change the drive’s allocation unit size from 4k to 64k (and preserve the data). This is to significantly improve recording performance of the hard disk. If you have lots of large files, keeping it higher will increase the system performance by having less blocks to seek. Generally, the allocation unit size is set when the storage is configured. Besides, it also includes a professional format tool to help change the NTFS allocation unit size. 3. Jun 16, 2021 · Allocation unit size when formatting USB flash drive Hi: I am currently involved with transferring music MP3 files to a 32-GB thumb drive and have needed to reformat the thumb drive several times during the troubleshooting process that I am dealing with. Attached is a photo of current drive stats: I formatted these drives with 4098 byte unit allocation size. 1) from the boot I want to change the allocation unit size of some partitions as I like. After a period of time you may find the default cluster size is unreasonable and want to change it without formatting. I'm looking Jan 9, 2025 · Basically, the allocation unit size is the block size on your hard drive when it formats NTFS. Many people don’t understand allocation unit size and how it affects formatting your drive. Sep 14, 2022 · If you want to know what allocation unit size means and whether to use different sizes for SSD or hard drives, then this post is what you need. You can read this post and find what you want to know. Mar 5, 2025 · What is exFAT allocation unit size? This article will explain it and expound the best allocation unit size for exFAT. The choice of allocation unit size matters when you are dealing with drives containing a very large number of small files, when you need to compromise fragmentation and allocation overhead against storage efficiency. I recommend formatting it with exFAT using the default allocation size Windows has detected. Chang block size from 4K to 64K with AOMEI Partition Assistant Using a third party software to change block/cluster size from 4K to 64K should be the easiest way. is it possible to convert to a dynamic/64kb cluster size drive and expand it? Is it possible to go the expanded volume? We assume no since it’s already 16TB Oct 7, 2011 · By formatting a volume in Disk Management without changing the Allocation Unit Size from Default in the Format dialog box. Jul 4, 2025 · On this page, we will introduce what is the best SSD allocation unit size in Windows 11/10. Jun 18, 2025 · Format-Volume -DriveLetter <DriveLetter> -FileSystem NTFS -AllocationUnitSize 65536 -UseLargeFRS In this example, the AllocationUnitSize parameter sets the allocation unit size to 64 KB (65,536 bytes), and UseLargeFRS enables support for large file record segments. You can also rename Volume label to anything you want, maybe the device name if that helps you. I want to change all 6 drives to 64KB. I had five 4tb drives and was running out of space, so I purchased a sixth.

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