Question about formatting a new 32GB flash drive

Thanks!

It was brand new, out of the package. To format it, I made one partition on it, Mac OS Extended (Journaled), GUID. But in spite of the fact that I'd put no data on it, I see there is about 20% blue space in the partition (maybe it came with a program on it from the manufacturer?).

1. Should I erase the disk (in Disk Utilities) or should I leave it the way it is? [I'd like the space for my stuff, if needed, but don't want to mess up the flash drive unintentionally.]

2. If I should erase it, which erase setting should I use?

P.S. 3. How long should it take to erase a 32GB flash drive?

I will be using it to backup some items from my iMac.

By the way, looking at the package, it is a SanDisk Ultra USB Flash Drive, and the packaging says "Keep private files private - Protect your private files with SanDisk SecureAccess software" - - some sort of password protection feature. Maybe that feature is what is taking up space on the disk. I don't care about the password feature.

1. Should I erase the disk (in Disk Utilities) or should I leave it the way it is? [I'd like the space for my stuff, if needed, but don't want to mess up the flash drive unintentionally.]

2. If I should erase it, which erase setting in Disk Utilities should I use?

P.S. 3. How long should it take to erase a 32GB flash drive?

Thanks OGELTHORPE!

When I highlight the flash drive on my desktop, and "get info" on it, the values are almost identical to what shows in the image you sent to me.

But when I go to Disk Utilities, in the "Partition" tab, it shows that while the size of the disk is 31.67 GB, the available space is only 26.19 GB.

Do you think the used space has to do with the "Keep private files private - Protect your private files with SanDisk SecureAccess software" feature (which I don't want)?

In order to be able to use that space in the future, do you think I should erase the flash drive, or leave it as is?

If you think I should erase it, which Erase - Security Option in Disk Utility should I use? And how long do you think it takes to erase a 32GB flash drive?

P.S. Thanks for the advice about not installing security measures.

Thanks Kurt - - I appreciate your response!

I did as you suggested but unfortunately got the same result 😢

Like before, Disk Utilities says the size is 31.67 GB with only 26.19 GB are available. [But when I highlight the flash drive and "get info" it shows Capacity as 31.67 GB and Available as 31.56 GB (which is what "get info" showed before I followed your suggestion too).]

Should I erase the disk? If yes, using which Security Option in Disk Utilities should I use? And how long should it take to erase a 32GB flash drive?

Any other thoughts? Am using an iMac (Intel).

Unfortunately, don't have access to a Windows computer. I too think it's odd about the conflict between what Disk Utilities says about space availability vs what Get Info says.

Am kind of beside myself about this because downloaded Mountain Lion yesterday and am wanting to backup the installer to an external disk before installing Mountain Lion. Because of this "available" conflict issue, am wondering if the SanDisk flash drive might have issues. Errrrrrg!