How to properly format a hard drive or drives: methods and programs - detailed instructions. We format the hard drive. Programs for formatting HDD Problems and solutions

When installing the operating system, as well as when changing files or redistributing space between partitions, you need to clean out the hard drive. This is a fairly common operation performed by PC users. If you haven't done anything like this yet, then let's figure it out theoretical part question.

What is the formatting process?

Marking areas for storing information, in which some of it is deleted, is called formatting. It creates a system for accessing stored information and is performed for:

• changing one file system to another;
• deleting files from disk space.

On this moment There are a large number of different file systems. They are used on a variety of equipment, including not only computers, but also mobile devices. To work in the latest Windows versions The NTFS file system is used.

How to format a hard drive: detailed video instructions

Why delete files from disk?

Formatting is performed to delete files from the hard drive, as well as to change one file system to another.

Why clean your disk?

In most cases they resort to it:

• before installing a new OS;
• to create an installation Windows image, for example, on a flash drive;
• due to the need to clean the disk from files if they are not needed.

Windows utilities for deleting files

Despite the large number of programs for working with disks, Windows OS has its own set of utilities.

Let's look at the process of formatting disks using Windows:

1. select the disk that needs to be cleaned;
2. press the right mouse button;
3. select Format;
4. in the window that appears, select file system, cluster size, and formatting method;
5. It is recommended to set NTFS as a file system, and leave the cluster size at the default – 4096;
6. after installation required parameters you should click Start.

Windows also includes more full service for working with a hard drive.

To open this menu, do the following:

1. press right click mouse to My Computer;
2. select Management;
3. open Disk Management;
4. In this menu, the user can perform various operations with the hard drive.

Execute this operation you can use the command line:

• Press the key combination Win+R;
• enter cmd and press Enter;
• in the command line we write the command format y:, where y is the letter of your drive, maybe, for example, c or d;
• the system will ask you to confirm the operation by pressing the Y key;
• after confirmation, the system will begin the cleaning process;
• When finished, this message will appear

If you need to format a disk partition from the BIOS, you will have to tinker a little. Unfortunately, the BIOS does not have tools for this purpose, therefore, you should use third-party software to perform these operations.

One of the most common is Acronis Disk Director. To work with it, you need to create bootable media in the operating system with the files of this program. But before you start creating bootable media Another option worth considering is formatting using the Windows Installer. This decision is a simpler option compared to Acronis Disk Director.

For this method All you need is a disk or flash drive with a recorded Windows installation package, and you also need to perform the following steps:

Attention! The drive partition letters may not match. To more accurately determine the required disk, use the wmic logicaldisk get deviceid, volumename, size, description command.

To create a bootable flash drive you will need:

Algorithm of actions:

1. insert the flash drive;
2. install and open the program;
3. in the application, open the Tools section and select Acronis Bootable Media Builder;
4. click “Next”;
5. select the Windows PE boot media type;
6. in the next menu you should mark the necessary components for recording to a flash drive;
7. After selection, you must select the media on which to record and click Next. The flash drive should be formatted in FAT 32 format using the Windows utility;
8. you can also create an image for later burning to a flash device or disk using Ultra ISO.

To load a flash drive you need:

How to format an external file drive to NTFS

The most convenient formatting method is to perform all actions using standard OS utilities. This solution does not imply additional installations software and creating bootable disks.

If you do not have an OS installed, then in this case you should use special programs, such as Acronis.

To run as ntfs:

Utilities

In addition to the standard ones, Windows has a variety of utilities used for the same purpose. The most common options include the following:

What is the best program to format drives in ntfs?

Each program has its own characteristics, but the main direction for all utilities remains the same - working with disks, including creating partitions, forming into other file systems, etc. Therefore, their choice is a purely personal question for each user.

Problems and their solutions

• format command - cannot be used for a system disk if it is in its environment;
• if the OS is located in another section of the HDD, it cannot be deleted;
• antivirus settings can block access to different partitions of the hard drive;
• various applications and viruses can block access.

If you have removed the above factors, but still cannot start the process, you will have to resort to special programs. The most popular tool is HDDscan, which is easy to install and also free.

Algorithm of actions:

• download the utility;
• open and install;
• run as administrator;
• click on the icon in the form of a sphere located in the center of the interface;
• select Surface tests;
• check the box next to Erase;
• go to the Add test tab;
• click on Scan;
• in the lower right corner, write down the error data;
• set the EraseWAITs option to ON and select Scan again;
• repeat until the error is cleared.

You can also use Acronis Disk Director. If it is impossible to format a portable drive using this program, it is most likely partially damaged. And the entire procedure can sometimes be performed only from bootable media, that is, not in the operating system.

How to force format a flash drive?

You can use the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool to clean flash drives.

How to format a write-protected drive? Simply, first open the command line and enter the following commands in it:

1. diskpart;
2. list disk;
3. select disk Z. Z - flash drive number, execution of the previous command is shown;
4. attributes disk clear readonly;
5. clean;
6. create partition primary;
7. format fs=ntfs;
8. exit.

Windows includes utilities that:

• provide the necessary set of functions;
• They have a fairly simple interface that will be easy for novice users to work with.

Many users believe that formatting is nothing more than preliminary deletion from hard drive all data to record new ones. This is true, but in fact, deleting data from the hard drive is a side effect of formatting. This procedure comes in two types: low-level and logical.

1. Low-level formatting of a hard drive is done at the production stage. In this case, markings are created on the “screw” necessary for the correct positioning of the heads.
2. Logical, executed after it is divided into partitions, which are named: drive D:\ E:\, etc. Logical formatting creates a boot sector, file structure, and partition table with boot record. The entire disk space of the formatted “screw” is divided into clusters.

In addition, formatting can be normal or accelerated. In the normal case, the file structure is deleted and broken clusters are checked, which are rejected and are not used in the future for recording information.

During quick formatting, only the file table is deleted. All new data is written over old data.

Working with a hard drive using standard Windows OS tools

Many people ask how to format HDD own means operating system. There is nothing simpler:

If you decide to format the hard drive partition where your operating system is located, then using Windows it is impossible to do this. This operation must be done via DOS and using any LiveCD.

If you are wondering how to format a hard drive via BIOS, you should read the instructions to the end and follow all the steps described below.

By formatting a “screw” via BIOS we mean using boot disk, which is launched by setting up the device in the BIOS.

• Restart your PC.
• Before starting the OS, enter the BIOS, select BOOT tab, where as boot select required device(depends on what media the boot disk is on).
• Save the changes and restart your PC.
• After loading the disk, press the key combination Shift+F10.
• After opening the command line, type format /FS:NTFS X: /q - where X is the required partition. For a Fat 32 file system, type format /FS:FAT32 X: /q - where X is the required partition.
• Then press Enter and type Y as confirmation.

Now all that's left to do is wait.

Working with a hard drive when installing Windows OS

Working with the hard drive with third-party programs

There are a lot software solutions for working with disks. The most popular program for formatting a hard drive is Acronis Disk Director Suite. It is very easy to use; it is most often present in various LiveCD builds.

Questions and answers

• Several hundred people daily ask our specialists the question: how to low-level format a hard drive from a flash drive.

In fact, there are times when removing a virus requires deleting the entire boot sector. And for this there are certain software tools, such as SeaTools for DOS. When this program is launched as standard, it creates bootable usb the media from which you load and select one of three types of hard drive cleaning.

Actually completely low level such a procedure cannot be called, but the possibility complete removal data with the removal of the zero track and sectors of hard disk, as well as filling the entire disk space with zeros, is closest to the concept of low-level formatting.

• How to completely format a hard drive so that the data on it cannot be recovered?

Indeed, even after reformatting, data can be recovered using special software. If you need to permanently delete all information from the hard drive, for example, when reselling a PC, then use the program to completely format the hard drive Eraser HDD.

After downloading, the program is immediately ready to work and does not require additional settings. By clicking the Start button, you will see a list of sections of your “screw” under the numbers. Select the number of the partition that requires full formatting, paste it into the window and click Apply. After which you will be asked for confirmation for the last time that all information is permanently deleted. After confirmation, reboot and go through the hard drive initialization procedure.

Due to certain reasons, PC users sometimes really need to format their hard drive. There are a lot of options on how to do this. This process itself is complete cleaning“hard” from the information that is on it. Most often used when changing the operating system. Before that you need everything necessary information save on any other medium. For example, on a disk, flash drive or external drive.

Via command line

The easiest way to format a hard drive is to call the console. The command line starts like this:

• click "Start";
• from the “All programs” list, select “Standard”;
• in the podcast that opens, select “Command Line”.

But then you need to register which disk will be erased entirely. Let it be "S". You must enter “format c:” in the console. Before formatting the hard drive, the system will warn you that all data will be erased and ask you to confirm the decision. You can call the command line even if your computer is damaged by viruses. Just during system boot you need to press F8 and select start in safe mode with console support. Depending on how heavily the disk is loaded with information, formatting takes from 10 minutes to an hour. At this time, you just need to wait without pressing anything. Or mind your own business.

Via "My Computer"

The most accessible way for all users to completely format a hard drive is to select the drive itself from all those available in the folder. You need to go to "My Computer" on Windows XP or to "computer" on other versions. Among all the disks that are available, choose the one that you will erase. Right-click to open the context menu. Select the option: “format disk”. Read the question from the system carefully. It is worth noting that before formatting the hard drive, you need to log into the system in administrator mode. Otherwise, the option may not be available (on some versions of operating systems). The operation takes a long time if the disk is completely filled with information. It is noteworthy that in this way you can remove any hard drive, regardless of whether it has an operating system or not. That is, you need to be extremely careful when using a PC, especially if children have access to it.

How to format a hard drive?

Speaking about such a procedure as deleting and cleaning all files on the device, we cannot fail to mention the method with special optical discs. Specifically those that already have a new operating system. Everything is as simple as that: you need to insert a disk into the drive and wait for it to spin up. Then you just need to follow the steps. One of them will be how to format the hard drive. If the hard drive is virtually divided into several parts, the system will offer to delete both or just one. The same one where the operating system is located (by default this is drive C). That is, the information on other disks will remain intact. Attention, if there are viruses in the system and malware, then both need to be removed to prevent viruses from spreading on the computer. If you don’t have enough knowledge to carry out all the steps correctly, contact specialists who will format everything quickly and without damaging your PC.

Hello everyone Today we will talk about how to format a hard drive using the command line. And you know what I’ll tell you here? This information, well, I mean formatting a hard drive via the command line, then you definitely need to know this information! This information, so to speak, is included in the list of the most important information that a more or less advanced user should know.

My opinion is that everyone should be able to work with the command line. Well, not that everyone, but if suddenly your computer breaks down, then you need knowledge of how to use the command line, then this knowledge can be very, very useful to you, I’m telling you this honestly!

I think that you don’t need to say that formatting a disk will completely delete all the files on it, everything in general, and programs and all sorts of photos, music, everything will be deleted on the disk that you format! I hope that you understand this anyway, but I still had to write about it..

Okay guys, back to our topic, namely how to format a hard drive using the command line. This can be done both from Windows itself and when loading it, but the main thing is that all the actions are the same, you just need to clearly understand what’s what and that’s exactly what I’ll show you now. So look, if you do all this in Windows (but keep in mind that at the same time you system disk you can’t format it, because it’s on Windows), then you need to hold down Win buttons+ R, the Run window will appear, you write there cmd command and click OK:

Then a black window will appear, like this:

Well, I think that you already understand that this is exactly what this black window is command line. Here you can enter all sorts of commands and do something. In general, you can do a lot of things. To see a list of all commands, you need to type the following command in the line:

And press enter, after which you will see this list of commands:

You can take any team, well, the very first one on the list is ASSOC, so we’ll take it. Well, you can take any command, then add a space to it and something like /? and then press enter and there will be a mini-instruction for this particular command. Well, look, I wrote the following command:

I pressed enter and this is what I thought:

Well guys, in principle it’s more or less clear, right? That is, in this way you can somehow learn to use the command line yourself. But of course this is a little boring, but what can you do? Today I will show you how to format a disk using the command line, for this you need to use the following command:

Yes, you can look at the help on it, I have already shown how, but I think it would be better if I personally tell you about it, since I myself have used it more than once. And I didn’t just use it, there is one feature in this command, you may not be interested in it, but I’ll tell you about it anyway...

So what do you need to do to format a disk using the FORMAT command? You need to write the following command:

FORMAT C: /FS:NTFS /X

This is a standard command, it will format the disk as usual, so to speak. Where the letter C is, then you indicate the drive letter there. Such as /FS:NTFS is necessary for the disk to be formatted in the NTFS file system, it is also possible in FAT32, but I recommend NTFS. Such as /X is necessary so that the disk is forcibly disconnected before formatting, this is just necessary to ensure that everything goes correctly. Attention, guys! This command does the usual formatting, that is, it’s not so fast, but if you need everything to go quickly, then you need to add the /Q key, that is, so that it’s like this:

FORMAT C: /FS:NTFS /X /Q

It will be much faster and you won't have to wait. Because without the /Q switch, formatting can take a long time if the hard drive is not small... well, there is one terabyte or more...

That seems to be it, right? But I wrote about a trick, what kind of trick? Now I’ll tell you everything guys.. The trick is that there is also such a key /A:64KB, this key is so that when formatting the cluster is changed. A standard cluster is 4KB, that is, 4 kilobytes. What general cluster size can be can be found in the help for the FORMAT command. What is a cluster? I won’t burden you, I’ll just say that a cluster is the minimum unit that can be occupied on a disk.

So, regarding the cluster, look. A 4 kilobyte cluster is usually installed on a hard drive. That is, if you have a file of 100 kilobytes, then it will be written in small parts of 4 kilobytes. Windows does not always write the entire file to one area at once. Usually part of the file is in one place, and another part is in another, this is called fragmentation and this is a normal phenomenon. Do you understand? As a result, we get this: if the cluster costs 4 kilobytes, then the file can have many parts and they can easily be scattered throughout the hard drive, and in order to read the file, it takes more time than if the file was written in one piece. If the cluster is 64 kilobytes, then a 100 kilobyte file will have only two parts on the disk, these are 64 kb and 64 kb, because these parts will fit the entire file. What remains, well, I mean two clusters are 128 kb, and the file is 100 kb, then nothing at all can be written to the remaining 28 kb, this is the only disadvantage of a 64 kb cluster. It seems that there are no more disadvantages, well, at least I don’t see them. A 100 KB file will only have 2 parts on a 64 KB cluster versus 25 parts on a 4 KB cluster, get it? Once again, about the disadvantage that I wrote, in other words, a 100 kb file on a disk with a 64 kb cluster will take up 128 kb of space. Because two clusters are 128 kb. Well, I hope it’s more or less clear, but if not, then I’m sorry, it means I’m not explaining it well..

In general, I personally always install a 64 kb cluster, I like it better, my mother also has a computer and I also installed a 64 kb one for her and the computer seems to work faster. But if you think about it, in theory it should work faster. A 64 kb cluster is the best cure for fragmentation, but does not eliminate it completely..

So what should the command be so that the cluster is 64 kb? I personally use this one:

FORMAT C: /FS:NTFS /X /A:64KB

A cluster of 64 kilobytes is the maximum size for a file NTFS systems. Well, you can also specify the /Q key to make formatting faster.

There is another joke. The fact is that there may be such a jamb that Windows does not want to be installed on a disk with a 64 KB cluster, there is such a thing. This is what I do here. At first I just stupidly install Windows, format the disk and everything is as usual. Then I reboot and go to system recovery and there I launch the command line, the system disk, well, that small, service disk of the type, it’s usually 500 MB, I DO NOT TOUCH it AT ALL. And the one where Windows is installed, then I put the FORMAT command on the command line and put a 64 kb cluster there and format it. Then I install Windows again, I don’t format ANYTHING in the installer, I just select the disk (which I formatted in a 64 KB cluster) and install it. As a result, Windows is easily installed on a disk with a 64 KB cluster

In fact, all this mess with clusters, I need it, but it’s not a necessity, almost all users have a 4 kb cluster and are happy with everything.. So you don’t have to worry about it, if you’re not interested in these clusters, then it’s not worth it change the cluster, that's it, my jokes so to speak.

Please note that in the command line, well, where the installer is, there is also a button Restore Windows or something like that, then there, in that command line, there the system drive can easily NOT HAVE THE LETTER C, but another, keep this in mind, because it is important! How to resolve the situation here? First you need to find out which letters belong to which sections. To do this you enter the following command:

And then write the following command:

And you will see what sections there are and what letters belong to them, look like mine:

Then, when you have looked, you need to enter this command:

This is to exit the DISKPART subsection, so to speak:

Another piece of information that will help you is the size of the disk; it is also easy to understand what kind of disk it is. There is also a command that will show you what is on the disk, this will also help you understand where which disk is, well, for example, to see what is on drive C, you need to write the following command:

And this is what the result will be:

What’s also good is that the disk size is also displayed here.

Here's another command:

This is to go to the directory, well, here above is just drive C as an example. Well, guys, everything seems to be more or less clear? I really hope so!

That seems to be all... And if something is wrong, then I'm sorry. By the way, it’s December, the 22nd, and therefore I congratulate you on the upcoming New Year 2017. I wish you happiness and that everything goes well with you.. By the way, the year of the rooster..

23.12.2016

Sometimes situations arise when you need to clean your hard drive, that is, format it. C, D, E or any other. But in most cases, Windows OS is installed on logical drive C. She won't let you clean it up just like that. The rest are easy to clean completely.

There are three types of formatting:

• We have nothing to do with low-level. After all, it is produced at a component manufacturing plant using special equipment. IN service center, not to mention at home, it won’t be possible to do it.
• The second formatting method involves dividing the logical media into several smaller sizes. That is, instead of one we get two or more disks. This manipulation can only be done when installing the OS.
• The third type is high-level formatting. It is divided into two subspecies. In the case of quick formatting, the files remain in their places, only the file table is updated, and the OS sees the disk as empty. This is very convenient when we do not want to completely lose data or have formatted it by mistake. When fully formatted, all information is erased without return, in addition, the system checks the device for serviceability. If a problem is detected, no data will be recorded.

There are four ways to perform high-level formatting: wiping the partition using Windows, through the command line, when installing the operating system, using a system utility.

When formatting using OS tools, no third-party scripts or programs are required. Let's go to "My Computer", right-click on the desired disk and select "Format". IN open window with formatting options, select the cluster size or file system. But in practice, only the volume label is set. If you uncheck the Quick box, the cleanup will take significantly longer. Then click “Start”. On at this stage A warning will appear indicating that all data will be deleted, so you need to click “Cancel” if you have not made a copy. If the information is saved, click “OK”. When formatting is complete, a message will appear asking you to click “OK.” You can close the window with parameters - the disk is cleaned.

Another formatting option is performed using the command line. Open “Start” – “Run”. Alternatively, press the combination “Win” + “R”. In the new window, enter “cmd” and click “OK”. A command line will open, in which we write “format f”, where f is the name of the disk. Afterwards the OS will ask you to confirm the action: Y – yes, N – no. Please note that there will be no warning message regarding data deletion. In addition, formatting will be performed by default, namely full. To do a quick one, enter “format f: /Q”. Finally, you will be able to set a volume label. Just click “Enter”.

If you want to format the disk while installing Windows, you will need a flash drive or installation disk. We start loading the OS from physical media, carry out similar actions as if Windows installation. When given the option to select an installation partition, click Disk Setup. The following options will open: “Delete volume”, “Create volume”. You will also see a “Format volume” link there. Click “Format”, select which partition to clear, including the one where the OS was located. In this case it will be done quick formatting. If you do not need to install Windows, you should close the window to interrupt the process.

Owners of Windows 7 OS can use the built-in system utility. Just follow the path “Start” - “Control Panel”, then “System and Security”, then “Administration”. Then click “Create and format hard disk partitions.” In this menu it is convenient to view which disks are connected to your PC and their breakdown. In it, right-click on the desired partition and select “Format”.

Thus, from this article you learned how to format a hard drive in Windows. There is nothing complicated about this, as you can see, finally consolidate your knowledge by watching a thematic video.