Diskpart - difference between "format" and "clean"?

[user0x12]

Diskpart - difference between "format" and "clean"?

In diskpart, what is the functional difference between "format" and "clean" when focused on a certain partition/volume? Does clean merely wipe the mbr partition table info and format wipes data and sets up selected file system? Just looking for some clarity, thanks.

Secondary question: is cmd.exe "format" command the same as diskpart: "format" command?

 

[Brink]

Hello user0x12,

"Clean" and "Clean All" will leave the disk as unallocated.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

Here's the technical description for "Clean":

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766465%28v=ws.10%29.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

Removes any and all partition or volume formatting from the disk with focus. On master boot record (MBR) disks, only the MBR partitioning information and hidden sector information are overwritten. On GUID partition table (GPT) disks, the GPT partitioning information, including the Protective MBR, is overwritten; there is no hidden sector information.

Here's the technical description for "Clean All":

Specifies that each and every sector on the disk is zeroed, which completely deletes all data contained on the disk.


Format in diskpart is the same command in cmd.exe. You can format a volume or partition.