It’s a good question; format a USB flash drive as exFAT or NTFS? There are several reasons not to format as NTFS and we’ll explain.

Most of the Time you are Okay

Most of the time, formatting a flash drive is a very simple decision. There are only two situations where you should carefully consider what format to use. Here are the details:

Note: This article is focused on Windows and Mac operating systems.

The file formats available for a USB flash drive are:

• FAT (also called FAT16)
• FAT32
• exFAT
• NTFS
• HFS (Mac only)

Flash drive manufacturers typically format a drive as either FAT or FAT32. Any device of 2GB or smaller will be formatted as FAT, and any USB over 2GB will be formatted as FAT32.

These two formats are the best file systems for removable drives like USB flash drives because they support quick disconnect functionality. Chances are very slim that you will destroy the device or files if you unplug the USB without using the Eject function (in Windows) or the Un-mount function (in Mac).

The one huge limitation with FAT and FAT32 is the single file size limit. If a single file is larger than 2GB, you need FAT32. If you have a single file bigger than 4GB, you must use NTFS or exFAT. Typically, these large files are video files or restore image files (for restoring a computer operating system from a single image file).

There are two ways to make a USB read only. One method will make the USB read-only on anything it is connected to, so you could say this is a universal way of making a flash drive write protected.

The other way is a PC-specific solution where some registry edits are required on any computer the USB flash drive is connected to.

When we say 100% permanent, this means the USB stick is read only (write protected) on all devices, whether it be computers like a Mac, Windows PC, Linux box, or non-processor based products like a car stereo. This permanent solution also means the status of the drive cannot be changed. The other method flags a USB device to be read only in relation to the PC it is connected to, so whenever that USB stick is connected to that computer, it makes the USB read only and blocks all write commands to the device.

Most times an IT manager or content owner wants the USB stick to be read only so the files cannot be deleted or formatted off the drive. Another reason for making a USB read only is for the original files to remain the same and block the ability for files to be changed or manipulated. Finally, it’s smart to have USB drives set to read only so that viruses don’t jump onto the drive and possibly spread to other computers.

Let us start with the less permanent way because it’s easier to do and doesn’t require any specific hardware.

You will need a Windows 7 machine or higher. Windows 7 includes the DiskPart utility, which allows us to perform useful tasks on flash drives, like setting write protection.

• Connect the USB to your Windows computer.
• To begin, go to your Windows Start menu and in the search field type cmd.

This will run your Command Prompt.

• Next, you will want to get to the C root of the Command Prompt. If you are signed in as a user you can simply type cd\ – this will get you back to the root of the C drive.
• Type DISKPART.
• Type LIST DISK.

Now you will need to find the USB stick connected to your PC. Most likely it’s DISK 1.

UPDATE: The Nexcopy USB flash drive inkjet printer has been upgraded to the new LOGO-EZ PRINTER, a 40-up full-color inkjet printer designed specifically for USB flash drive branding. The LOGO-EZ features a fully customized tray that securely holds USB drives in place during printing. Pricing starts around $3,500. For current product specs and availability, visit Nexcopy.com.

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Legacy Overview: USB7P USB Flash Drive Inkjet Printer

Note: The following section refers to the discontinued USB7P model. Nexcopy now offers an improved USB flash drive inkjet printer under the LOGO-EZ name. See Nexcopy’s site for current models.

What Was the USB7P Inkjet Printer for USB Flash Drives?

Nexcopy introduced the USB7P USB flash drive inkjet printer as a compact desktop solution for professional, full-color branding of USB swivel drives. Unlike traditional third-party printing services that require bulk orders and long lead times, the USB7P allowed businesses to take control of their branding process directly from their office. With the ability to print custom logos, promotional graphics, or product-specific designs onto the metal swivel clips of USB drives, companies could create fully personalized flash drives on demand.

This inkjet printer for USB flash drives supported widely used file formats like JPEG and bitmap, making it easy for users to import their artwork and align it accurately to each clip. Designed for efficiency, the USB7P produced vivid, high-resolution prints in less than a minute. Whether for small-run marketing giveaways, corporate training tools, or private-label media distribution, the USB7P gave organizations a flexible and cost-effective way to customize USB drives in-house without sacrificing print quality or turnaround time.

How the USB Flash Drive Inkjet Printer Worked

The USB7P utilizes specially designed printable swivel clips provided by Nexcopy, which replace the standard metal clips commonly found on traditional USB flash drives. These printable clips are engineered to fit perfectly on most standard swivel-style flash drives, making it easy to transform a generic drive into a custom-branded product. One of the standout features of this system is the ability to swap out the clips at any time—a major advantage for businesses that frequently update their branding, change promotional campaigns, or require multilingual packaging.

For example, if your logo undergoes a redesign or seasonal artwork is required for a limited-time offer, you can simply print new clips and replace the old ones without needing to purchase entirely new drives. This modular approach to USB branding not only saves cost but also greatly enhances operational flexibility. Companies can even produce different color variations of the same logo or design to align with specific departments, product lines, or event themes—all from the same batch of flash drives.

Powered by HP’s advanced inkjet technology, the USB7P USB flash drive inkjet printer supports over 11 million colors with spot-on PMS color matching. Whether you’re printing a vibrant photo, a subtle watermark, or a two-tone logo, the output remains sharp, consistent, and high-resolution. The printer can produce a full-color set of seven USB clips in just 35 seconds, delivering fast, professional results with minimal effort and no drying time required.

Key Features of the USB7P USB Flash Drive Inkjet Printer

• Full-color inkjet printing on both sides of USB clips
• Accepts JPEG and bitmap file formats
• Prints 7 clips per batch with unique or identical images
• Onboard camera ensures perfect image alignment
• Fast output with instant-dry, water-resistant results

Software Setup for the USB Flash Drive Inkjet Printer

Setup was simple: install drivers, load the 7-slot clip tray, and launch the included Nexcopy software. The printer’s onboard camera helped align your artwork with precision. To print the reverse side, just flip the clips and print again—no drying time needed.

A Proven Solution for USB Branding and Fulfillment

The USB7P USB flash drive inkjet printer was specifically engineered to meet the dynamic needs of modern corporations, where product labeling, software revisions, or branding updates can change rapidly and often with little notice. In industries where management frequently mandates last-minute design or version updates—such as software development, medical devices, education, or government—the ability to perform in-house USB flash drive customization becomes not just a convenience but a necessity.

Unlike outsourcing, which introduces lead times, minimum order quantities, and increased costs, the USB7P allowed organizations to react quickly to evolving requirements. Whether it was a rebranded product suite, a new software patch, or an internal initiative that needed fast deployment, the USB7P gave teams the ability to print full-color, professional-grade USB swivel clips in real time—on demand, and in small or large batches.

Its capability to print seven clips simultaneously with unique or identical artwork made it ideal for short-run branding jobs, quick-turn marketing promotions, sales samples, trade shows, beta program rollouts, or even internal asset labeling. This level of flexibility empowered departments to keep pace with marketing, compliance, or operational directives without relying on third-party suppliers or long production schedules.

Though the USB7P has since been replaced by the more powerful LOGO-EZ printer, the core concept remains the same: give corporate users the ability to control their USB branding pipeline from start to finish—affordably, efficiently, and on their own schedule.

Source: Nexcopy USB Clip Printer – Official Product Page