How to Format a Hard Drive in Windows?

Thinking about formatting your hard drive? You’ll be pleased to know with the newer version of windows it’s much simpler.

As you know, the HHD is the heart & soul of your computer. It stores every single essential data on your computer. So maintaining its health is crucial. Because without the hard drive not only you’ll lose all your important files and data but also you won’t be able to run your computer.

So while formatting your storage device, you must be extra careful. Otherwise, you might accidentally remove your essential files or system data. However, since you’ve found this article, already the chance of any mishaps with the foreman has been reduced.

As we’ll show you exactly how to format a hard drive in windows with proper instructions.

What Is The Best Format Type For Windows?

As you know there are different types of formats available for your hard drive such as:

• NTFS (New Technology file system)
• HFS ( Hierarchical File System)
• APFS (Apple File System)
• exFAT ( Extended File Allocation Table)
• FAT32 ( File Allocation Table 32)

Each of these types of formats has its own criteria and is best suited for a purpose. For a Windows user, NTFS is the best format system. Newer windows versions preformatted your hard drive in NTFS format, as it’s the native drive system for windows.  

Can You Format A Hard Drive Using BIOS?

When it comes to formatting the hard drive, many of you think you’re going to format the hard drive from BIOS. it’s somewhat true but not entirely. Because a drive format from the BIOS system is reserved only for emergency cases. Such as:

• The computer isn’t booting properly due to a hard drive crash.
• You change the whole petition system of the computer’s storage system.
• If the bootable disk needs reformatting.

As you can see, formatting through the BIOS system requires taking extreme measures, which can lead to a full drive petition. So without these emergency situations, you shouldn’t try to use the BIOS system to format your drive, unless you want to lose all your files and data.

Instructions For Formatting A Hard Drive In Windows

Just so you know, formatting a hard drive is possible from the Windows OS. Without using any third-party softwares, there are two known methods. The first one is by using the command program and the other is with the disk management system.

You can choose whichever you’re comfortable with. Proper instructions for each formatting system are given in the segments below. 

Format A Hard Drive Using CMD

As you know with the command program you can have access to your entire windows system. That also includes disk partition and format. However, you need to use the right command to do so. Otherwise, you might have a disk system failure.

So keep track of the following instructions given below to successfully format your hard drive using CMD.

• Open the run program by pressing the Windows+R button.
• Type CMD on the search bar. It will open the command program.
• In CMD  type diskpart, and hit enter.
• Type list disk on the next section and enter.
• You’ll have all your storage drives on that list. The list will be in numerical order 0-9.
•  After that select the disk number you wish to format.
• write select and your preferred disk number. For example select disk 1.
• Then the CMD will select your preferred drive. Type list disk once again and enter.
• After that you’ll see a star mark on the drive you want to format.
• Type clean to format the drive. However, you can’t access that drive yet.
• Next, type create partition primary and then again type assign and hit enter, you’ll be notified of the new drive allocation from the windows system.

Format A Hard Drive Using The Disk Management System

There’s another simple method of formatting your hard drive, and that is a disk management system. It’s the most common method of disk format nowadays. To use that method follow the given instructions below.

• You can either open the disk management system by opening the computer management. 
• Or press the windows button and type create and format hard disk partitions. Either one will give you access to the disk management system.
• After entering the disk management drive you’ll see all your storage drives in the computer.
• Right-click on the drive you want to format and you’ll see a bunch of options.
• Click on the format to remove all the files from the drive.

Note- as you can see disk management system (DMS) is a much easier method than CMD. however in some cases, you can’t format a drive from the DMS, you need to get access from the command program.  

Last Words

Any wrong movement while formatting a drive is an actual nightmare. For this reason, alone everyone tries to avoid a hard drive format as much as possible. However, if you follow the above instructions properly, then you can have a risk-free partition or format for your hard drive.

But before you format your drive make sure you have back your essential files. Otherwise, you might go through data recovery to retrieve the files again.