- While formatting a hard drive, you can clean both storage media- internal as well as external. But before beginning the formatting, you need to complete the cleaning of the drive first. The steps are the same as explained above. Once the disk cleaning is successful; you can continue with the formatting of the drive.
- Connect USB flash drive to your computer, launch EaseUS partition tool, right-click the disk you want.
With this tool, you can move partitions, resize partitions (even the active one), copy partitions, as well as change the drive letter and label, check the partition for errors, delete and format partitions (even with a custom cluster size), convert NTFS to FAT32, hide partitions, and wipe all that data off of partitions. Disk Utility and Disk Drill While Disk Utility is a great tool that allows you to better understand your disks and perform many important tasks on them, it does have certain limitations. You may find that running First Aid is not enough to repair your disk and make it fully operational again.
Jan 18, 2021 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions
Yesterday I was trying to format the hard drive of my computer using DiskPart. But I am not sure about the detailed steps. Can anyone guide me on how to format using DiskPart?
Hard drive formatting is always crucial, and if not done appropriately, it can even make it non-functional. But performing it with DiskPart or command prompt can save your hard drive from this risk. A formatted drive is almost the same as the new drive because formatting clears all the stored media. This article will guide you through the DiskPart commands and ways of formatting hard drive with DiskPart and Command Prompt.
How to Clean Hard Drive Using DiskPart?
Before learning the steps for cleaning the drive, let's first understand what does DiskPart clean do? When you use the 'clean' command in Diskpart, the utility software will clean the selected disks and information from the hidden sectors. All the stored data gets deleted, and you can't undo it. It is recommended to take a backup first if there is some important data in the drive.
The time taken by the complete process depends on the disk size. To clean the drives follow the following steps:
Step 1 Open Command Prompt
Search command prompt, right-click, and run it as an administrator.
Step 2 Type diskpart
Type the command as mentioned above and press 'Enter' to launch DiskPart.
Step 3 Type list disk
The command will list all the drives that are available with the computer. After typing the command, press 'Enter'.'
Step 4 Select the Drive by typing select disk *
The * mentioned in the command needs to be replaced with the drive number that requires cleaning. Make sure you put the right number else you will end up cleaning the wrong drive.
Step 5 Type clean
The 'clean' command will wipe out your required hard drive. Press 'Enter' after typing it. It will clean up all the files and folders of the drive permanently.
Step 6 Close the Command Prompt after Successful Completion of Disk Cleaning Once the cleaning process completes, the command prompt will show the message that DiskPart cleaning is successful. Close the window from the button located up in the right corner.
Now you can reinitialize, partition and even format the cleaned drive.
How to Format Hard Drive Using Command Prompts?
While formatting a hard drive, you can clean both storage media- internal as well as external. But before beginning the formatting, you need to complete the cleaning of the drive first. The steps are the same as explained above. Once the disk cleaning is successful; you can continue with the formatting of the drive.
To understand how to format using DiskPart look for detailed steps below:
Step 1 Open the command prompt and run as administrator.
Step 2 Type diskpart and press 'Enter'.' It will launch the DiskPart.
Step 3 Type list disk to let the Diskpart list all the drives of the computer.
Step 4 Select the required drive by typing select disk *, here * is the number of the drive that will undergo formatting.
Step 5 Clean the files and folders on the selected drive using the clean command.
Step 6 Type list disk and press 'Enter' to confirm the drive that needs to be formatted is still selected.
Here the output that comes out has an asterisk (*) before the selected drive.
Step 7 Create a new partition by typing create partition primary and press 'Enter'.'
Step 8 Select the created partition and press 'Enter' after typing the command select partition 1.
Step 9 Type active so that the selected partition comes in an active state. Press 'Enter' after that.
Step 10 Format the drive with the command format fs=ntfs. Press 'Enter' to begin the process.
Step 11 Assign a letter to the drive, to make it available in the File Explorer and then exit.
Press 'Enter' after typing assign letter=*, type your preferred letter in place of * that you want to assign to the partition.
Then to exit the DiskPart, type exit and 'Enter.'
After completing all these steps, the drive is available at File Explorer. You can now start storing files on the drive.
How to Delete Hard Drive Partition Using DiskPart?
Sometimes for better management, you need to create more free space by deleting partitions. You also want to delete them because you don't require them anymore or it has become damaged or corrupted. Follow the listed steps to delete the partition with DiskPart.
Step 1 The missing piece (analisse) mac os. Launch DiskPart in the command prompt by typing diskpart. Press 'Enter.'
Step 2 Robot voice changer. Type list disk and then press 'Enter' to list down all the available partitions.
Step 3 Select the disk to delete your required partition. Type select disk *, (*) is the disk number. After typing the command press 'Enter.'
Step 4 Type list partition and then 'Enter' to view all the partitions.
Step 5 Now select the partition to be deleted by typing select partition *, again * here is the number of the partition. 'Enter' after typing the command to execute it.
Step 6 Now delete the partition by typing delete partition and begin the deletion by pressing 'Enter.'
If the dynamic disk is in use, use the delete volume command for the deletion process.
What are the DiskPart commands?
DiskPart is a command-line tool that does disk management with a simple Command Prompt. You can do disk listing, formatting, partitioning, and partition deletion with this tool. Several DiskPart commands are used to execute these functions.
The tool first came in Windows XP, and now it is available on almost all operating systems of Microsoft- Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. Before initiating with Diskpart commands on Command Prompt, it is necessary to make a list and then focus by selecting an object. In this way, DiskPart commands will act on the focused object.
As Diskpart gets loaded on the Command Prompt,which is also known as CMD. The CMD is referred to as a command-line interpreter, available in all operating systems. The program allows you to 'Enter' and execute commands. You will be using the platforms like DiskPart and Command Prompt for disk formatting. It is the process of configuring storage mediums like a flash drive and a hard disk drive. During the formatting process, any of the documents or files that are already saved on the drive gets deleted. Usually, it is done before the installation of the operating system, and many times, it is also required for creating an additional storage space too.
Note!
Your stored data gets erased when you format the drive using CMD. Though it can be retrieved by using the recovery software, taking a backup is still advised.
Your stored data gets erased when you format the drive using CMD. Though it can be retrieved by using the recovery software, taking a backup is still advised.
If you have lost your data through the formation, it is strongly recommend that you use Wondershare Recoverit to regain your data. It allows 100MP free recovery amount. Besides, it can save files and videos from crashed hard drive or computer. Download it through the following link.
DiskPart Format Command Options
DiskPart format command that runs on command prompt is used for formatting internal and external storage mediums of hard drives. The command is available in all Windows operating systems like Windows 10, 8 7, Vista, XP, and other older versions too. You can use it to deal with unlocked files means the files that are not currently in use. However, the syntax for the command differs from one operating system to another.
The format command syntax is as following:
format drive: /* /fs:file-system /r:revision /d /v:label /p:count /?
Here * refers to q, c, x, and l
Now understand the syntax in detail:
- drive:
You will write here the letter that represents the drive or the partition for which you require formatting.
- /q
It represents drive will undergo DiskPart quick format without searching a bad sector.
- /c
It will enable compression of folder and file. The option is available only when the drive is being formatted to NTFS (New Technology File System). It is a primary file system that is used in Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, and NT operating systems.
- /x
If there is the requirement to dismount the drive before formatting, then this command is used in the format.
- /l
While formatting with NTFS, the command is used on dedupe-enabled drives that consist of files with size more than 100GB.
- /fs:file-system
You will add the file system to which you want the format the drive. The file systems can be FAT, exFAT, FAT32, UDF, or NTFS
- /r: revision
It is used to focus the formatting on a specific UDF version. The options include 1.02, 1.50, 2.00, 2.01, and 2.50. If you don't specify any revision, by default it will take the 2.01 version. When you are using /fs:udf only then you can use /r: command.
- /d
When formatting is done with UDF v2.50 only then this command can be used to duplicate metadata.
- /v:label
It is used to specify the volume label. If you have not mentioned it before formatting, the systems will enquire about it after the completion of the process.
- /p:count
It will write zero once to all sectors of the drive. If you specify the count, it will write some random number on the drive, as many times as you mention. The random number writing will start once the zero writing completes.
/p cannot be used with /q.
- /?
It is used to show help for the several options of commands.
Closing Words
If your hard drive is causing any trouble, you can now quickly fix it by using DiskPart. Follow the steps explained above to clean and format the disk using DiskPart, and also to delete the hard drive partition. Before performing any of these actions, it is necessary to take a backup of the data. Somehow if you forgot taking backup and lost any of your important files during DiskPart commands execution, don't panic. Use Recoverit Mac Data Recovery software to retrieve your lost data.
What's Wrong with Drive
- Recover Your Drive
- Fix Your Drive
- Format/Wipe Drive
- Know Your Drive
The best disk format tool in 2021 comes out. They are third-party EaseUS HDD format tool, HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, HDD Low Level Format Tool, and the built-in HDD formatter like File Explorer, Disk Management, and CMD in Windows 10/8/7. Choose one of the six to format a disk, HDD, SSD, USB flash, pen drive, and SD card with ease.
6 Best Hard Drive Disk Format Tools in 2021
- 1. EaseUS Partition Master Format Tool
- 2. HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
- 3. HDD Low Level Format Tool
- 4. Windows File Explorer
- 5. Windows Disk Management
- 6. Windows Command Prompt (CMD)
Each hard disk format tool in the list can be used to format any drive in Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista and Windows Server operating system. Some of them are free to use, while some are for commercial use. Next, you'll learn the details of the product description, advantages and disadvantages.
IMPORTANT: Back Up Data Before Formatting Disk
In general terms, we format a disk using the quick format, which erases data completely but the data is recoverable by some third-party data recovery software. The other disk formatting manner is called low-level format, which erases the whole disk surface and makes data restoration impossible!
No matter which way you'll need to format a disk, to protect important data from completely erasing, always create a backup in advance.
- Method 1. Open the target hard drive and manually copy useful files and documents to another device.
- Method 2. Use Windows backup software to automatically back up the whole disk/partition or target files and folders to another device at one time.
#1. EaseUS Partition Master - Best Hard Disk Format Tool Free Download for PC
- Supported file system: NTFS, FAT16, FAT32, EXT2, EXT3, and EXT4
- User interface: simple, graphical, clean, and user-friendly to beginners
EaseUS Partition Master Free is an all-around disk & partition management tool that includes but not limited to a disk formatting feature. It's placed on the top position of the best hard drive format tool due to the facts of the following:
Pros:
- Free to download and format disk
- Support all Windows operating systems and servers
- Format a drive that is RAW, not showing up or not recognized by Windows
- Format a disk even when the Windows was unable to complete the format
- Allow you to create a bootable hard drive format tool
- Format 64/128/256GB USB hard drive to the FAT32 file system
- Convert FAT32 to NTFS without formatting or losing data
- Build with other powerful features: resize, move, create, merge, delete, wipe, or recover lost partition
Cons:
- Some advanced features are not free, such as migrate OS to SSD
Guide - How to Format Disk - HDD/SSD, USB, etc., with EaseUS Format Tool:
Step 1: Run EaseUS Partition Master, right-click the hard drive partition you intend to format and choose 'Format'.
Membrum mac os. Step 2: In the new window, set the Partition label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3), and Cluster size for the partition to be formatted, then click 'OK'.
Step 3: Then you will see a warning window, click 'OK' in it to continue.
Step 4: Click the 'Execute Operation' button in the top-left corner to review the changes, then click 'Apply' to start formatting the partition on your hard drive.
#2. HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - Windows XP Disk Formatter
- Supported file system: FAT, FAT32, and NTFS
- User interface: kind of outdated but relatively easy-to-use
HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool is a Windows-based disk format utility to format any drive. It should work on all the older and newer Windows OS versions, but viewing from the formatting speed and performance, it stands out on usually the Windows XP operating system. With HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, you can format any USB Flash drive, hard drive, or memory card in FAT, FAT32, and NTFS file systems. Moreover, create DOS startup disks that can help boot a PC after it dies.
Pros:
- It is best used on USB drives and it strips and re-formats your drives
- The GUI is very familiar because it looks just like the Windows XP formatting tool
Cons:
- It may cause crashes on modern computers with newer operating systems
- It needs you to run it under Administrator
Guide - How to Format Hard Drive with HP Disk Storage Format Tool
Step 1. Connect the USB drive to your Windows XP computer, click Devices and select the USB drive you want to format.
Step 2. From the File System menu, select a file system and enter a name for the reformatted disk in the Volume Label input box.
Step 3. Click the Quick Format option to enable a quick format. If you leave this option unchecked, a slower, low-level format will be performed.
Step 4. Click Start to begin the USB formatting.
#3. HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool - Best Low-level HDD Format Tool
- Supported operating system: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2008R2
- User interface: kind of outdated and complex to use
HDD Low Level Format Tool is a utility exclusively designed for low-level hard disk drive formatting. After running this low level format tool, the whole disk surface will be erased. As a result, data restoration is impossible after using this utility! This HDD Low Level Format utility is free for personal/home use, but the speed is restricted at 80GB per hour, which is 50 MB/s.
Pros: The shepherd mac os.
The only disk format tool for a low level format
Cons:
Almost paid software. Personal license without speed limit is $3.30 while the commercial license is $27.00 per seat (PC)
Guide - How to Format Disk with HDD Low Level Format Tool:
Step 1. Download and run HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool on your computer.
Step 2. Plug your HDD or USB drive into the computer and launch the low-level format tool.
Step 3. Select the desired drive and click Continue. Confirm the option by clicking Yes.
Step 4. Select Low-Level Format in the tab to start the low-level formatting process.
#4. Windows File Explorer - Easiest Disk Format Tool in Windows 10/8/7
- Supported operating system: NTFS, exFAT and FAT32
- User interface: Simple design and operation throughout the formatting procedure
It's the first native Windows disk formatting choice we'll introduce. Press Windows + E keys so we can easily evoke the File Explorer. The local disk drives and the externally connected drives will appear there. As long as the drive you tend to format is visible, you can use the Format option to start a quick format with a few simple steps.
Pros:
- Free
- Works on all Windows computers
- Applies to Windows beginners
- 3-step formatting
Cons:
- Doesn't work when the hard drive is not showing up
- FAT32 is not available for a storage drive over 32GB
Guide - How to Format HDD/SSD or Storage Device in File Explorer
Step 1. Open Windows File Explorer, locate and right-click on the target hard drive which you need to format, select 'Format'.
Step 2. Rename the hard drive, reset its file system to NTFS or other formats.
Step 3. Click 'Start' to begin the formatting.
#5. Windows Disk Management - Free Built-in Disk Formatter for Advanced Use
- Supported operating system: NTFS, exFAT and FAT32
- User interface: Designed with a couple of useful disk management features in the clean organization
Windows Disk Management is a free Windows built-in tool, which means you can easily open it on your computer without downloading. It comes to use when you're trying to format a drive that is not showing up in the File Explorer. It's good at formatting some storage devices that have something wrong, like file system corruption, not formatted error, not accessible, etc.
Pros:
- Free
- Available to all Windows operating system
- Be able to format a RAW drive
Cons
- Doesn't support to format a Linux drive
- FAT32 is not available for a storage drive over 32GB
Guide - How to Format Hard Drive Partition in Disk Management
Step 1. Right-click 'This PC' and choose 'Manage'.
Step 2. Go to 'Disk Management'.
Step 3. Right-click the target hard drive partition and choose 'Format'.
Step 4. Set the volume label, file system and click 'OK' to start formatting the drive.
#6. CMD (Command Prompt) - Powerful Disk Formatting Tool for Professionals
- Supported file system: NTFS, FAT16, FAT32, EXT2, EXT3, and EXT4
- User interface: Very unfamiliar to beginners
Windows Command Prompt, for average computer users, is a hidden but powerful computer troubleshooting program that is able to solve most of the computer and hard drive problems. You can apply a variety of command lines to examine, check or repair computer issues. For example, to format a disk drive, you'll use the diskpart command lines.
Pros:
- Free
- Format any drive to every file system that is available to use on Windows, macOS or Linux
Cons:
- Applies to experienced users only
- Any false operation will cause serious computer problems
Guide - How to Format Disk with DiskPart Command
Step 1. Open Command Prompt by right-clicking on Windows icon, select 'Search' and type: command prompt.
Right-click on Command Prompt and select 'Run as administrator'.
Step 2. Typediskpart in Command Prompt and hit Enter.
Step 3. Hit Enter each time when you type below command lines in DiskPart to quick format hard drive:
- list disk
- select disk 2 (Replace 2 with your disk number)
- list volume
- select volume 10 (Replace 10 with the volume number of the partition that you want to format)
- format fs=ntfs quick (If you need to format a hard drive partition to FAT32 or other file systems, replace with fat32, exfat, etc.)
- Warning
- If you accidentally input format without fs=ntfs quick or fs=fat32 quick in DiskPart command prompt, it will execute a full format on your selected hard drive partition.
Step 4. Type exit and hit Enter to close the program when DiskPart reports it has successfully formatted the volume.
Conclusion: What To Do with Hard Drive After Formatting
Some of you may have the same question about what to do after formatting the hard drive. Here is a list that you can follow to make full use of your formatted hard drive:
# 1. Re-partition hard drive to make full use of space on your hard drive.
To do so, you may need a reliable partition management tool like EaseUS Partition Master Free to partition hard drive on your computer for free. You may also use this tool to merge partitions or extend hard drive partition based on your needs.
# 2. Save files to the formatted hard drive.
# 3. Recover lost files due to formatting.
Best Free Disk Formatting Software
If you didn't back up data before formatting and lost valuable files, you may apply professional data recovery software to recover data after formatting.