How to format a hard disk in Windows

This article contains instructions for initializing, partitioning, and formatting new hard disks and instructions for reformatting hard disks in Windows.  

The instructions given in this article apply to versions of Windows 7, 8/8.1, and 10.  

 

WARNING! Formatting means deleting all data on the hard disk.  So, if you want to format the hard disk you've used, be sure to copy the file you want to see again to your computer or hard disk backup.

 

  

1. To open Disk Management, press the Windows key + R 

2. In the run box, type diskmgmt.msc, and then click OK 

Note: If you're prompted to fill in an administrator password or confirmation, type a password or provide confirmation 

3. Right-click the disk, and then select Disk Initialization 

4. Right-click in the Unfilled box, and then select New Easy Volume 

5. Click Next on the following command: 

6. Select the File system 

Use NTFS if you connect a storage device to a Windows computer, and you don't need to allow your Mac to write to a storage device. 

Use exFAT if you need to allow Mac and Windows computers to read and write to storage devices. 

7. You can customize the hard disk name by typing in the Volume Labels field 

8. Click Next, and then Done 

1. To open Disk Management, press the Windows key + R 

2. In the run box, type diskmgmt.msc, and then click OK 

Note: If you're prompted to fill in an administrator password or confirmation, type a password or provide confirmation 

3. Right-click on the Partition box, and then choose Format 

4. Format command will open 

If the hard disk was previously formatted for Mac, Disk Management will list three partitions, one of which is called "Health (EFI System Partition)", which is a protected partition that you cannot delete.  

To remove this partition, you must use the Microsoft Diskpart Erase Utility.  

The following steps provide instructions for determining the disk number assigned to the hard disk and the Delete/Clean hard disk instructions using the Microsoft Diskpart Erase Utility.  

Before proceeding, it's best to remove another hard disk from your computer. This will prevent the removal of the wrong hard disk and will help determine the disk number assigned to the hard disk you want to delete/ clean. 

Steps to identify disk numbers in Disk Management 

The image below shows how a hard disk formatted for Mac is listed in Disk Management and shows the hard disk number assigned  

WARNING!  Diskpart Erase/Clean will delete/destroy all data on the selected hard disk permanently. Make sure you delete the correct disk. Remove all additional hard disks from your computer, except the hard disk you want to remove. 

1. To open the Command Prompt, press the Windows key + R 

2. In the run box, type cmd, and then click OK 

Note: If you're prompted to fill in an administrator password or confirmation, type a password or provide confirmation 

3. The Command Prompt window will open 

4. Type diskpart, and then press Enter > diskpart command will open 

5. Type disk list, and then press Enter