How do you format an SD card on Windows7?

[superbuu]

There seems no way to right click the SD card and click "format" since it shows up as "Portable Device" and not like a drive:

 

 

So yeah, how do I really format the thing properly? ideally give it a couple DoD wipe passes to clear my tax records on there.

[Electronics Wizardy]

is this card in a device? if so, take it out and wipe it.

[superbuu]

1 minute ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

is this card in a device? if so, take it out and wipe it.

How do I wipe it out? with my hands? the card is on my phone. I dont have an SD reader...

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, superbuu said:

How do I wipe it out? with my hands?

with a sd card reader?

 

or the best way to wipe is to just destry the card, they dont cost much and its the only way to garantee data is gone.

[Origami Cactus]

14 minutes ago, superbuu said:

How do I wipe it out? with my hands? the card is on my phone. I dont have an SD reader...

If it is in your phone, then go to your phone "settings", "SD card", and then click "format" there.

PC can't format the card if it is in another device.

 

EDIT. I read what you want to wipe it for..

Do what @Electronics Wizardy said and just destroy it. 32GB sd cards are like 5$, so not that expensive.

 

Or if you want to wipe it without destroying it get a SD card reader and do some wipes on the pc, but you need to do a wipe that overwrites all of the data etc.

[manikyath]

i'm backing the "if it's so critical, break the card in half" message above me.

 

if the card is staying in your posession, just delete the files, if it is potentially exchanging hands or will be in an insecure location, apply the "two sets of pliers and twist" method.