# Format a USB stick for Linux

Source: https://help.malighting.com/grandMA2/en/help/key_update_format.html
This is grandocs, an unofficial mirror of MA Lighting documentation. For authoritative or safety-relevant information, cite the canonical page on help.malighting.com.

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This topic describes how to format a USB stick for Linux. This is necessary for a later update via boot menu or a factory reset.

**Requirements:**

- An empty USB stick
- A software version .imgz file (download the latest software version at www\.malighting.com)
- MA stickMAker (download the MA stickMAker at www\.malighting.com under **Utilities**)

To format a USB stick for a later grandMA2 update:

1. Install the MA stickMAker by double click at the **StickMaker-x.x.x.x.exe.**\
   You will be guided through the installation process.
2. Insert an empty USB stick in your computer.
3. Open the MA stickMAker by a right mouse click, and then click at **Run as administrator**.\
   The **MA stickMAker** opens.

   ![](/img/grandma2/img_stickmaker_v3_2-625a7e.png)

   _MA stickMAker_
4. Select the **USB drive** in the green target field, then click at the three dots and select the **gMA2Console\_v\*.imgz** file. Click **Start**.\
   The stick will be formatted to a Linux stick and the image will be written to the stick. This process takes about three minutes. When the copy operation is succeeded, a pop-up opens.
5. Click **Ok**.
6. Remove the USB stick from the computer.

The USB stick is formatted into a Linux USB stick and ready for a grandMA2 update or a factory reset.