How to format and format a hard drive on a Windows computer

When you need to format the hard drive for your Windows computer, don't worry and rush. You need to understand correctly about hard drive format and how to format hard drive below to easily operate and ensure accuracy and high efficiency with TipsMake!

What is hard drive format?

Format the hard drive, also known as formatting the hard drive. This term describes the process of erasing data on the hard drive and returning the computer hard drive to its original state.

After formatting the hard drive, the data on it will be lost and it will be difficult to restore. Some tools are capable of recovering hard drive data after formatting. However, to be safe, you should back up all necessary data to USB or store it in the cloud, then format the hard drive.

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Some cases where you need to format your hard drive are:

1. To initialize the new hard drive before use.
2. Eliminate Viruses from entering your computer.
3. Hard drive cannot be used.
4. When you need to change the size of files on your hard drive.

Does formatting the hard drive have any effect?

Formatting does not affect the life of the hard drive. However, all data on that hard drive will be erased. Therefore, you need to make a backup before formatting the hard drive.

How to format hard drive on Windows

Except for drive C (the drive where the operating system is installed) which cannot be formatted (unless you reinstall the windows operating system), all other hard drives can be formatted in the following two ways:

Format the hard drive in This PC

Step 1 : Click on This PC on the desktop. Then find the hard drive you need to format.

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Step 2 : Right-click on the hard drive you want to format. Then select Format.

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Step 3 : In the new window that appears, click Start . The formatting process will begin immediately.

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This is a simple, fast and effective way to format the entire hard drive that you should refer to.

Format the hard drive using Disk Management

Another way to format a hard drive is to use the Disk Management tool . Specifically:

Step 1 : Right-click This PC/My Computer and then click Manage .

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Step 2 : In the new window that appears, select Disk Management and then select the drive you need to format on the right.

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Step 3 : Right click on that drive and click Format .

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Step 4 : Next, click OK to start the formatting process.

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More information about formatting hard drives in Windows

Some notes you should know about hard drive format:

1. In case you reinstall the Windows operating system on your computer, the hard drive formatting process will automatically take place.
2. In addition to the two popular ways to format a hard drive mentioned above, you can also use Command Prompt and the Format command to format and change the Windows hard drive name during the partitioning process.

Epilogue

Thus, TipsMake has presented the best ways to format hard drives for Windows computers. Hope the article is useful to you. Don't miss the interesting computer tips we share next!

Marvin Fry

Update 12 October 2023