Windows 7: Formatting and Erasing a Drive

Are you looking to buy a brand new external drive? Do you want to repair or sell an existing drive? If so, you might want to format the drive and delete it. Continue reading to find out how Microsoft Windows 10 can erase and format it.

An external hard drive, SSD, flash drive or flash stick can be connected to your Windows PC immediately after purchase. It is possible to still format or erase your drive in order to ensure that it works properly.

You can format the drive if it has been used for some time. This will resolve performance problems and other issues. If you want to sell your drive, then it is necessary that the drive be reformatted and all data deleted securely.

What Windows does to Format and Erase a Drive

Windows frees up space on your external HDD, SSD or USB flash drive by formatting it. The operating system also checks for reliability and repairs severe errors. However, there are no guarantees.

This is only half of the story. Formatting gives you an opportunity to create a file system that suits your needs. This is essential if you wish to Make sure that the drive can be used with other devices. . Windows lets you format external drives using one of these file systems.

NTFS: NTFS: This is the default Windows filesystem. While NTFS is capable of handling large file sizes, and it provides great security, the system doesn’t work well with all other operating systems.

FAT32: FAT32 is a legacy Windows file system. FAT32 is more compatible with all operating systems than NTFS. However, it has file sizes limits that are less than 4GB and can be less reliable. It is also less secure.

exFAT: ExFAT is a file system for all platforms that can be used on Windows as well as Apple macOS. For Mac users, it strikes a great balance between security, compatibility and usability.

The Format utility, Disk Management console and the Command Prompt on Windows can be used to format drives. Only the Command Prompt allows you to implement FAT32 file system for drives larger than 32GB.

However, formatting your drive with Windows won’t erase all of your data. You must format the drive using a third party tool like Disk Wipe to securely erase all data if you plan on selling it. You can also use Disk Wipe to securely delete all data Troubleshooting issues with a drive, Running the Check Disk utility (CHKDSK) Before you even start.

Warning: All files and folders will be permanently deleted if a partition or drive is formatted. If you need to recover everything, make a backup.

Format Utility allows you to erase and format a Windows drive

You can use File Explorer to access the Format utility. This is the easiest way to format and erase external drives. If you need to move things quickly, the Format utility can be used.

1. Open File Explorer, and then switch to the This PC Click the tab in the sidebar. Click on the sidebar to right-click an external flash drive or SSD that you would like to format Format Click the drop down menu.

2. The Format dialog allows you to adjust the settings as follows:

File system: : Change between FAT32, NTFS and exFAT file system. FAT32 will not be available on drives larger than 32GB.

Allocation unit size: Specify the minimum size for each block of data on your drive. The default selection will change depending on which file system is selected, e.g. 128 Kilobytes in exFAT. Find out more information about the size of an allocation unit.

Volume label: If you wish to make it easier for other media sources to identify the drive, replace the default name. Other devices or operating systems can also display a custom volume label.

Quick Format: If you need to quickly format and erase the drive, leave the box unchecked. If you need to troubleshoot the drive, clear it.

Note: Restore device defaults If you wish to return to default settings for your drive, click the button.

3. Select Start > OK. Quick Format option.

Windows Disk Management allows you to format and erase a drive

Disk Management console, a multi-functional utility, allows you manage volumes and partitions within Windows. This console also lets you quickly format drives. If File Explorer fails to show an external drive, you can use it.

1. Press Windows Key + R To open the Run Box, type. Then, type diskmgmt.msc, Enter.

2. Right-click the drive beneath the Volumes Section and choose Format.

3. A volume label should be added, followed by a choice of a file format and the unit size. Also, empty the box to the right Perform a quick format You must keep the original file intact in order for Disk Management’s to create a full format. Then, select OK.

Note: Enable file and folder compression It is possible to compress any files or folders that are added automatically. But, this can have an adverse effect on performance.

4. Select OK You can confirm your confirmation agai.

Use the Command Prompt to Format and Erase a Windows Drive

To format a drive on Windows, you could also use Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell. This is your best choice if you’re looking for the fastest way to do this Format drives exceeding 32GB in native FAT32 format .

1. You can open the Start menu, cmd, Open as administrator To open Command Prompt console, click the right-click Windows PowerShell is also available. Right-click this link Start Click on the button to select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).

2. Follow these steps to get started diskpart To load DiskPart command line tool, type the following.

3. Follow these steps to get started list disk You can use the command “load a list” to add drives to your computer.

4. Type select disk [disk number], [disk number] With the amount of drive that you wish to format. Please use the Size Column to find the right number. Use the “Press” button to activate it Enter Click here to choose the driv.

5. Follow these steps to get started clean All data will be erased by pressing the “Delete” button.

6. Type create partition primary Use the press Enter To partition the drive.

7. Type format fs=fat32 label=[drive name]. fat32 With the file system that you desire [drive name] With a drive label. Then, press Enter.

8. Type assign and press Enter You will need to give a letter of support for your drive.

9. Type exit Use the press Enter to quit DiskPart.

Disk Wipe allows you to format and securely erase a drive in Windows

Disk Wipe, a third-party format tool available for free, can be used to secure an external hard drive. This tool allows you to run different erasing techniques that will prevent data recovery programs from retrieving your data.

1. Start the download Disk Wipe . Wipe Disk button.

2. Choose a file system –NTFS,, FAT, FAT32. Next.

3. You can choose an erasing style. One way is to erase all data from the storage device using a single zero pass. Another option is to use more sophisticated wiping methods such as the Peter Guttman. You should note that multiple passes may take longer to finish.

4. Type ERASE ALL Choose and Finish.

5. Select Yes to confirm.

Disk Wipe aside. There are many other formatting tools and applications that you can use, such as DBan, , KillDisk, Eraser To securely wipe drives. Below is a list of all the possibilities There are free software programs that will completely wipe your Windows hard drive.