Windows 7 - Windows 7 Format?

Been using XP and just made the switch over to Windows 7, I was wondering when you use the Windows 7 option to 'Format' while installing, does that get everything? I am just curious because when you format on the XP disc it takes over an hour to do and when you use the format provided before install of Windows 7 it takes 5 seconds?

Hi Dranged and Welcome to th forum!

Windows 7 doesn't rebuild an already formatted NTFS partition, it just removes the Master File Table info and moves on. Basically that's all that's done on any alredy formatted partition when you delete it, but XP likes to rebuild the entire NTFS format when it installs...rather unneccessary really as it still doesn't physically remove the data on it..

well it depends...

i remember that if you choose quick format you are just rewriting the mft in the partition...

it is only if you take off quick partition that you actually reformating the ntfs partition itself...

oh well chappy you beat me to it..

I was just wondering if it would be best to use XP's format or windows 7. It seems like when I installed windows 7 and used it's format it didn't get everything. There are some weird errors going on with this version of Windows 7 install, like nothing being in my Administrative tools folder.

Your errors probably have nothing to do with the way you formatted.

In Windows XP installation, you get 2 options, Format(ntfs) and Format(ntfs)(quick) . In both cases you get all the available space and a full format is not necessary and you shouldn't do this often. A quick format is not actually a format, it justs "marks" the drive empty, and marks all the used space as available.

In Windows 7 installation (and Vista), quick format is enabled by default. That's the only difference, cause you don't need to perform a FULL format in order to empty the drive. I think it's a smart choice from M$, makes things quicker even for beginners.

In any case, either you choose full format or quick format, you still get all the drive space. No differences can occur during installation, no previous files will still "exist" , concerning the system.

Hi... I am new with windows 7 rc and when I installed it it didnt gave me the option to format and the windows xp folder was still there .. and my program folder is named as program1 and my programs is being installed in a folder called programdata that is hidden .. I know how to unhide it but its not fun to have old programs on my computer that is not "installed" .. what is the problem? did I do the installation too fast or what and didnt saw it or what?

Wonder if Windows 7 leaves other partitions in place or wipes out the partitiontable.
Formatting with XP seemed to be incompatible with Windows 7.
Tried two other programs with XP NTFS formatting and won't work either.
I had to use the Windows 7 type or it won't reboot during install.

Do I have to risk loosing valuable data if other partitions get lost?
Anyone have the answer to this?

Xp offers the choice to install or format on a particular partion.

Is it possible to create other partitions with Windows 7 during installation or afterwards?

Roggah

Windows 7 saves your old windows and other data in case you forgot something.
You may erase these files. Another safe program is Eraser or Killdisk who zero's the whole drive.
Nothing could be restored in the more professional version that simply overwrites several times.
(Takes ages for a large drive.)

There are sometimes problems with Windows 7 installations on Xp formatted drives.

The parition table is slightly different is the reason I was given.

Best to format one last time with the Custom>Advanced drive tools when you boot from the Windows 7 installer.