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Windows 7: Format a HDD or USB

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Quick Format a HDD or USB

How to Quick Format a HDD or USB Drive
Published by JaidynM
10 Jun 2011
Published by
JaidynM's Avatar

How to Quick Format a HDD or USB Drive

information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to format both external and 'internal' hard disk drives. We will be using both quick formats and also two useful pieces of software that can make fully formatting a HDD or USB much easier. In simple terms, this will remove all your files and folders from your disk storage device.
Note   Note
You cannot quick format your C: drive as it has your OS installed on it.
warning   Warning
Formatting your C: drive WILL kill your system. As I said above, whatever you format, back up a copy of all files and folders first on an external hard drive or CD. You follow this tutorial at your own risk. Please, please, please back up your hard drive.

BEFORE YOU START:
  1. Back up a copy of all your files and folders to an external hard drive or CD.
  2. Also, either burn or copy all software to a disc (if needed and possible).





Here's How:
Quick Format
1. Open the Start Menu by clicking the orb , and navigate to My Computer.
Format a HDD or USB-screenshotstep1.png
2. Right click the hard drive or USB you would like to format.
Format a HDD or USB-screenshotstep2.png
3. Select Format... from the options that drop down.
Format a HDD or USB-screenshotstep3.png
4. A new window should pop up. Change the options in the drop down boxes to suit the requirements of your hard drive. Make sure the option Quick Format is ticked and press Start.
Format a HDD or USB-screenshotstep4.png
5. A warning message should now pop up. Click OK to continue.
Format a HDD or USB-screenshotstep5.png
6. A message should pop up saying Format Complete. Click OK.
Format a HDD or USB-screenshotstep6.png
7. The pop up will close and return to the original 'Format Window'. Click Close.
Format a HDD or USB-screenshotstep7.png
To check whether your hard drive is actually cleared, follow the following steps.

8. Right click the newly formatted hard drive.
Format a HDD or USB-screenshotstep8.png
9. Click the Properties option.
Format a HDD or USB-screenshotstep9.png
10. The properties of your hard drive should look similar to the following image (close to zero used space and a large, almost entirely pink pie graph).
Format a HDD or USB-screenshotstep10.png
Congratulations! You have successfully quick formatted your hard drive.


That's it,
Jaidyn



Related Tutorials
10 Jun 2011   #1
JaidynM

Windows 7 Ultimate x64/Windows 8 Consumer Preview x64/Ubuntu 11.04
8,346 posts
 
 
Please ignore my image editing. I tried my best.


My System SpecsSystem Spec
10 Jun 2011   #2
Shadowjk

Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 ; Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
2,317 posts
 
 
Good simple Tutorial +1 :) - The last picture has your Taskbar in it so you may want to change that
My System SpecsSystem Spec
10 Jun 2011   #3
JaidynM

Windows 7 Ultimate x64/Windows 8 Consumer Preview x64/Ubuntu 11.04
8,346 posts
 
 
Thanks. I edited that last bit out as well. :)
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.

26 Jun 2011   #4
ICIT2LOL

Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
21,098 posts
 
 
Dumb query
Probably dumb query but I am going to wipe / format a HDD in an old XP machine to reinstall just the XP OS shortly - so same procedure - more or less?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
26 Jun 2011   #5
JaidynM

Windows 7 Ultimate x64/Windows 8 Consumer Preview x64/Ubuntu 11.04
8,346 posts
 
 
I've never had to quick format a HDD to put a new OS on it but I'm assuming that it should do the trick. And you shouldn't have to wipe it first; the re-install (if you clean install) should wipe it for you. :)
My System SpecsSystem Spec
26 Jun 2011   #6
seavixen32

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
329 posts
 
 
There is no need to format a HDD or partition you are installing to as the operating system will do it automatically.

That said, a quick format beforehand won't do any harm.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
26 Jun 2011   #7
theog

Microsoft Community Contributor Award Recipient

ME/XP/Vista/Win7
11,442 posts
 
 
Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by ICit2lol View Post
Probably dumb query but I am going to wipe / format a HDD in an old XP machine to reinstall just the XP OS shortly - so same procedure - more or less?

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
My System SpecsSystem Spec
26 Jun 2011   #8
JaidynM

Windows 7 Ultimate x64/Windows 8 Consumer Preview x64/Ubuntu 11.04
8,346 posts
 
 
Well, there you go. As I said above, the re-installation should wipe it for you. :)
My System SpecsSystem Spec
26 Jun 2011   #9
ICIT2LOL

Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
21,098 posts
 
 
Thanks
Thanks to you all at least I know now - still finding out stuff even this simple.:)
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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