Formatting a damaged hard drive. We format the flash drive using the Windows system utility. Formatting your hard drive before installing Windows

Formatting hard disk - the process of creating a file system on its partition, accompanied by deleting data and creating a new file system structure. Functionality for formatting hard drives and solid-state drives is contained in almost all modern operating systems, but the standard mechanism is not always optimal and applicable. About how to format HDD in several ways, this material will tell you in more detail.

Format HDD regular means very simple. To do this, you need to select the desired partition in Explorer, right-click and select “Format” from the pop-up menu.

In the menu that opens, select formatting options. It is recommended to use NTFS as the file system, and leave the cluster size as standard. Checking the box next to “Quick formatting” significantly speeds up the process, but only the FS table is created anew. The data itself physically remains on the disk, although it becomes inaccessible. If you do not check the box, all data will be physically erased (filling each memory cell with zeros), but the process will take a long time. A hard drive with a capacity of several terabytes will take hours to format. But such formatting allows you to permanently destroy data, for example, when transferring the drive to a new owner.

An alternative way to format the HDD using standard means is through the “Control Panel”. To do this, you need to find the “Administration” menu, select “Computer Management” in it and find “Disk Management” in the left column. The menu that opens will display all drives in the form of a structure. The advantage of this method is that this way you can format disks that do not have a partition and therefore are not displayed in Explorer.

How to format a hard drive via the command line

To format a disk via the command line, there is a utility format command. To use it, you need to run the command line as an administrator and enter the format command. It should look like this:

format [drive letter]:- formatting will happen without any questions, into the same FS that is on the disk, in a slow way(with complete erasure).

format [drive letter]: /q — the "/q" flag runs quick formatting, without physically clearing the contents of its memory. The flag can be placed in combination with any other keys.

format [drive letter]: fs:[file system]— formatting the selected partition into one of the supported file systems: NTFS, FAT, FAT32.

format [drive letter]: fs:[file system] /q- the same thing, but with quick formatting.

How to format your hard drive before installing Windows

To format your hard drive before Windows installation, you need to select a full installation, wait until the partition selection menu for installation appears, click on to the desired disk and click the “Format” button at the bottom. The system will independently determine optimal method formatting, file system type and cluster size. The whole process takes less than a minute.

Before you format your hard drive, installing Windows may require creating additional system partitions to load the OS. The screenshot below shows that such a partition takes up 100 MB. It stores part of the system bootloader.

The disadvantage of formatting this way is that you cannot manually manipulate the parameters. Ordinary users do not need this, but sometimes it is necessary that instead of the standard NTFS systems there was the same FAT32. For example, such a need arises on tablets with Intel processors and two installed OS (Windows + Android), like the ten-inch Chuwi Hi10. In order for the Windows partition to be visible from Android, it must be formatted in a compatible file system. Work with NTFS without special plugins and third party programs The “green robot” can’t.

The correct answer to this question is “not at all.” The computer's BIOS is intended for slightly different purposes and does not have functionality for working with the HDD. Usually, “formatting from Bios” is popularly known as formatting via the command line in a text-based operating system (for example, MS-DOS). The advantage of this solution is that you can even work with a system partition that is not in use.

For format hard drive Using a boot disk with DOS, you need to create an image of such an OS, write it to a flash drive and copy the formatting utility there. Instead of DOS, you can also use a special program for working with HDDs, for example, GParted. This option is preferable as it is more functional.

To format a HDD from BIOS using a bootable USB flash drive, you need to download. This is an automatic installer that will download and write the latest version of Gparted to a flash drive.

After creating the flash drive, you need to restart the PC, go into Bios (usually by pressing DEl or F2) and find Boot menu. In it you should select the item containing the words “Boot device priority"or similar in meaning. Among them, you should put your flash drive first. Then you need to press F10, agree to save the settings and wait for loading from the flash drive.

In the loaded menu of the GParted program, you need to select the language, select the disk and find the item responsible for formatting. You can select the file system, cluster size, format type, and other options.

As shown various statistics, not all users know how to perform the specified action. Biggest problems arise if you need to format drive C in Windows 7, 8 or Windows 10, i.e. system hard disk.

Formatting a non-system hard drive or partition in Windows

In order to format a disk or its logical partition in Windows 7, 8 or Windows 10 (relatively speaking, drive D), just open Explorer (or “My Computer”), click right click mouse over the disk and select “Format”.

After this, simply specify, if desired, the volume label, the file system (although it is better to leave NTFS here) and the formatting method (it makes sense to leave “Quick Format”). Click "Start" and wait until the disk is completely formatted. Sometimes, if the hard drive is large enough, it may take long time and you may even think that your computer has frozen. There is a 95% chance that this is not the case, just wait.

Another way to format a non-system hard drive is to use the format command in a Command Prompt running as an administrator. IN general view, the command to quickly format a disk in NTFS will look like this:

Format /FS:NTFS D: /q

Where D: is the drive letter of the drive being formatted.

How to format C drive in Windows 7, 8 and Windows 10

Generally, this manual Suitable for previous versions of Windows. So, if you try to format the system hard drive in Windows 7 or 8, you will see a message that:

You cannot format this volume. It contains the version of the operating system currently in use Windows systems. Formatting this volume may cause your computer to stop working. (Windows 8 and 8.1)
This disk is in use. The disk is in use by another program or process. Format it? And after clicking “Yes”, the message “Windows cannot format this disk. Quit any other programs that are using the drive, make sure no windows are displaying its contents, and then try again.

What is happening is easily explained - Windows cannot format the disk on which it itself is located. Moreover, even if the operating system is installed on drive D or any other, the first partition (i.e., drive C) will still contain the files necessary to load the operating system, since when you turn on the computer, the BIOS will first start loading from there.

Some notes

Thus, when formatting drive C, you should remember that this action implies the subsequent installation of Windows (or another OS) or, if Windows is installed on another partition, the OS boot configuration after formatting, which is not the most trivial task and if you're not too advanced user(and apparently this is the case, since you are here), I would not recommend taking this on.

Formatting

If you are confident in what you are doing, then continue. In order to format drive C or system Windows partition, you will need to boot from some other media:

, boot disk.
Any others bootable media- LiveCD, Hiren's Boot CD, Bart PE and others.

There are also special solutions, such as Acronis Disk Director, Paragon Partition Magic or Manager and others. But we will not consider them: firstly, these products are paid, and secondly, for the purposes simple formatting they are unnecessary.

Formatting using a bootable USB flash drive or disk Windows 7 and 8

In order to format system disk this way, boot from the appropriate installation media and at the installation type selection stage, select “ Full installation" The next thing you will see is the selection of the partition for installation.

Another way is to press Shift + F10 at any time during installation, the command line will open. From which you can also format (how to do this was written above). Here you need to take into account that in the installation program the drive letter C may be different; in order to find it out, first use the command:

Wmic logicaldisk get deviceid, volumename, description

And, to clarify whether something was mixed up, use the DIR D: command, where D: is the drive letter. (Using this command you will see the contents of the folders on the disk).

After this, you can already apply format to the desired section.

How to format a drive using LiveCD

Formatting a hard drive using various types of LiveCD is not much different from simply formatting it in Windows. Since when booting from a LiveCD, all the really necessary data is located in random access memory computer, you can use various options BartPE formats the system hard drive simply through Explorer. And, just like in the options already described, use the format command on the command line.

There are other formatting nuances, but I will describe them in one of the next articles. And in order for a novice user to know how to format the C drive, this article, I think, will be enough. If anything, ask questions in the comments.

What is a program to format a hard drive? IN different cases this could be the most powerful software package or a small utility with a couple of functions.

In addition to formatting, such programs can perform many tasks when working with hard drives and sections.

Let's take a look at them.

One of the most powerful representatives of software that works with disks and partitions. In addition to formatting, Acronis Disk Director performs many tasks - from creating partitions to scanning and defragmenting disks.

The program allows you to create striped and mirrored volumes. The work of alternating is similar to RAID 0, and mirror ones perform the function RAID 1.

Acronis Disk Director is notable for the fact that it works “paired” with another software from Acronis – Acronis True Image. From this bundle are created boot disks, allowing you to solve most problems with disks and data.

MiniTool Partition Wizard

MiniTool Partition Wizard - formatting program external hard disk. It can do almost everything that Acronis can, but there are significant differences.

1. The program is free.
2. MiniTool Partition Wizard allows you to convert NTFS to FAT and vice versa, in this case the data on the disk is preserved.
3. There is a function to check the partition surface for reading errors from visual support process.
4. There is a possibility Windows transfer(system partitions) to another disk.

EaseUS Partition Master

Another program for formatting a hard drive in fat32. EaseUS Partition Master has several features different from previous representatives:

1. Can clone disks, both entirely and just the OS.
2. Create bootable disks.
3. Clean disks of large or unnecessary files.
4. Optimize selected sections.

HDD Low Level Format Tool

HDD Low Level Format Tool- program for low level formatting hard drive. Has no other functions other than reading S.M.A.R.T data from the disk, if supported, and device data (name, serial number etc.). Works only with physical drives.

Among other things HDD Low Level Format Tool has an official portable version that does not require installation.

The conclusions are as follows: no matter how good Acronis Disk Director, But MiniTool Partition Wizard it's still free. If you want to have it on hand (why?) powerful program with many functions, then take a closer look at the first three, but if you are just going to bring the disk to a pristine state, then HDD Low Level Format Tool To help you.

Greetings to all readers of my blog, Denis Trishkin here.
Using a computer for a long time, sooner or later the need arises Windows reinstallation. This can be done in several ways. The correct one is the one before which you need to format the hard drive. In this article I will tell you exactly how this happens, and also introduce you to the main concepts.

So what is formatting? Even at school, this process was presented as a division into sectors and tracks, with the loss of all information previously recorded on the storage medium. In the realities of today's technological world, formatting is the process of marking up an electronic storage medium, regardless of its shape and structure, be it an optical or hard disk, memory card, flash drive.

To put it simply, the process is the erasure of all existing files in the specified area. Moreover, when new ones appear, they are already placed on top in a seamless manner. Because of this, access to them will be easier in the future, and, consequently, the speed of processing requests will decrease. OS and individual programs will work faster.

File system types( ^)

Before moving directly to familiarization with the process itself, it is important to introduce you to such a concept as file system and its types. So, it is a table that indicates the order of storing, recording and naming information on media. In other words, it is responsible for all processes related to transferring and reading data.

There are several most famous and used types:

Formatting process( ^)

We immediately need to clarify that we are talking about formatting before installing Windows. Therefore, we will talk about working with hard drives, and not with other data storage devices.

Formatting methods before installing a new system( ^)

There are only a few ways to format before installing a new Windows:

using built-in capabilities;

command line (use the same tool);

programs third party developer(most often this is Acronis Disk Director);

use another computer.

Step-by-step instructions for formatting with built-in capabilities( ^)

It should be noted right away that I will talk about Windows 7, 8, 10, because previous versions Microsoft has stopped supporting it. So, when, during the installation of a new operating system, you reach the disk selection point, you need to:

The built-in tool allows you to format the disk only in a quick way.

However, it does not provide additional functions. This is why many specialists use special programs for formatting, which work even without an installed operating system. The above is considered the most convenient Acronis Disk Director. This application is paid, although there is the possibility of temporary use.

Formatting using Acronis Disk Director( ^)

To use the application you need:

1 Download the program image file using a torrent tracker.

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2 Write the downloaded image to a USB flash drive

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3 Using the BIOS, check that the system boots first from the flash drive, press the F10 button and agree.

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4 After rebooting, confirm working from the flash drive.

5 A black screen appears where you need to select full version Acronis Disk Director.

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6 On the pop-up window, mark “manual” mode.

7 After this, select the section and click on the item in the left menu.

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9 After this, the program sends us to the initial partition selection window. This is necessary to enter additional changes. But since we are only formatting the disk on which Windows will later be installed, we click on the checkbox.

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10 We are waiting for the process to complete. After this, you can exit the program and continue installing the OS. In this case, there is no longer any need to format the disk with the built-in program.

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Formatting via the command line( ^)

Almost no one uses this method, since the methods described above are sufficient for most. But sometimes there are still situations when he remains the only one.

To call command line, before copying a new one Windows versions to your computer, when the first installation window appears, press the key combination “ Shift+F10" After this, a black window will appear. It contains the command “ format" along with the letter of the partition that needs to be formatted (this could be C, D, E and others). After this you need to confirm the action: “ Yes" Or write " No» if you made a mistake with the letter of the section or simply changed your mind.

The situation can be resolved using third party computer. An infected hard drive is connected to it and standard system cleared. To do this, after booting the system in the section " My computer“You need to select the damaged partition, right-click on it, and then select the appropriate menu. Specifies the file system, cluster size, and volume label.

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After hard formatting The disk is installed on the original computer and Windows is installed. Sometimes during this, the system requires you to re-divide the partition into sectors and tracks. Don't worry - this is normal.

Formatting the hard drive before installing Windows - important step. If you don't do it, a new version will work with errors and most likely not for long.

I hope this article will clarify for you the main issues that are associated with the formatting procedure. Subscribe, recommend me to your friends and along with you become computer literate.

Now many modern users PC and I don’t know how often any program for formatting a hard drive has helped out in the past .

Background

Another aspect of the need frequent use programs for hard formatting disks - problems with the hardware.

Small media volume, frequent hardware errors and the like.

But oddly enough, over time, the need to format disks still remained, even with the advent of modern solid state drives.

At the same time, the formatting operation has ceased to be an everyday norm, and if it is necessary to format a hard drive, many users are at a loss as to how and in what way it can be done.

Fortunately, over time, both the quality of software products designed for formatting hard drives and their number have increased noticeably.

And now the user is not limited to built-in ones, but has access not just to software products third party manufacturers, but to whole complexes of software tools that allow you to perform not only formatting, but also several other useful operations, in particular, improving state of hard disk and its service life.

Some of these tools are classified as shareware, some come with free license, and the rest, however, is only available upon purchase.

Each of them has its own advantages and we propose to consider several of the most commonly used and popular tools with sufficient functionality.

Paragon Partition Manager Free Edition

A hard drive formatting program called Paragon Partition Manager Free Edition Compared to other similar software products, it stands out due to its ability to perform operations on virtual storage media.

In addition, for those who still cannot refuse using Windows XP, it will provide the ability to support high-capacity disks of the order of 2 TB or more.

Among other functionality, there is copying and restoring disks, merging them, moving them and resizing them. And all this with a Russified shell.

Some may find the defragmentation function in the package superfluous, but protection from system failures and detection bad sectors Absolutely everyone will like it.

EASEUS Partition Master

This program for formatting a hard drive has the advantage of having several versions with different functionality.

Some of them are free, but special attention ordinary users deserve a version Home Edition and Master Free.

The program has excellent functionality, available through Russian-language shell.

It can work under family control Windows operating systems, in particular, versions 7, 8 and 10, both 32-bit and 64-bit, and some versions allow you to run through Linux.

The software product provides work with a wide range of heterogeneous drives, the most important of which are:

You can not only format them, but also create or change sections, for example, merging, deleting, copying and resizing.

The program has access to work with RAID arrays and provides user interaction with .

Some operations can be performed using built-in wizards, which greatly facilitates the user’s work.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that each version of the product has its own limitations, in particular on maximum size drive.

For example, in the Home Edition it is 8 TB, and in Master Free it is only 4 TB.

Rice. 2 – Window fragment EASEUS Partition Master

Aomei Partition Assistant

Hard drive formatting program called Aomei Partition Assistant refers to products that are distributed free of charge, but have decent functionality.

It provides a number of functions that are not available to others. free products and therefore belongs to a completely different class.

This software package, like the previous product, has a Russian-language shell and supports modern operating systems Windows family and and, accordingly, working under their control file systems: FAT 12/16/32, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, exFAT/ReFS.

In parallel with work on physical media the program performs operations on virtual disks.

As for the special functionality, it is implemented in the form of access to disks invisible to other software.

The program allows you to check them, test them and a number of other useful operations.

All this against the backdrop of minimal system requirements, ranging from processor version to volume available memory on disk.

This software is able to work even under such conditions when the device has 128 disks installed and the volume size is 16 TB.

It is also one of the few products that can work with SSHD, flash drives and flash cards.

Is it worth mentioning that it supports, and all operations performed are performed without damage user information according to the creators?

Rice. 3 – Window Aomei Partition Assistant

MiniTool Partition Wizard

This program for formatting a hard drive is more modest, but much more popular, not only in the domestic space, but throughout the world.

It is free and provides controlled interaction operating systems Windows families, including the most latest versions of various bit sizes, and also processes EXT disk partitions, as well as Linux Swap.

Software interface has a Russified shell and provides work with partitions larger than 2 TB.

It is quite simple and will be understandable even for a novice user. The functionality of the interface is quite wide and even includes the new-fangled migration from HDD to SSD.

And also the software product performs a number of basic operations with disks and their partitions, including their cloning, creation and modification.

If desired, the user can test their disks by testing their performance.

Like some of the programs described above, this one can, and this is important when frequently used equipment wears out. system partition.

In parallel with this, it is possible to assign active sections and interact with them.

Rice. 4 – MiniTool Partition Wizard window

HDD Low Level Format Tool

This program for formatting a hard drive belongs to a different category than those discussed above software. Therefore, it deserves special attention.

This is not a large software package with wide functionality, but a small program that only has the ability to low-level formatting in its set of functions.

This option provides, with the given settings, the ability to restore the functionality of storage media.

Moreover, such functionality concerns both hard drives, and flash drives.

The only problem for the user in this case is complete destruction data on the media without the possibility of further recovery.

Unfortunately, there are no other operations that this product can perform with media.