Jan 26, 2021 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions
Browse the top-ranked list of Windows 10 External Hard Drive below along with associated reviews and opinions. Buffalo - LinkStation™ 210 2TB External Hard Drive (NAS) - black. Model: LS210D0201. Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars with 16 reviews (16 reviews) Top comment. Format an External Hard Drive for Windows 10 The most external hard drives are designed to figure for Windows computers, but at times after you have to be compelled to reformat one.You would possibly need a drive that works with Macs and PCs, or e. Just run the executable file. In the 'FAT32 Format' window, select the drive to format and type a volume label if you want to. Select the ' Quick Format ' option, and then click the 'Start' button. A window pops up to warn you that all data on the drive will be lost.
Disk formatting is done as a preparation for the use of any operating system. It's a common process done by many PC users. There are many ways you can do this task so if one method fails, you can opt to use another. In this article, we'll show you how to format Drive C using your Windows computer.
DiskPart Windows 10 command line Type format fs=exfat label='DRIVE LABEL HERE' quick then hit Enter This command will format and label the drive, e.g. Format fs=exfat label='ANDRE'. If you are formatting a local disk, you should use NTFS in place of exFAT, or you can choose from other appropriate file systems such as FAT32.
- Part 1.Why Do You Need To Format C Drive?
- Part 2. How to Format C Drive in Windows 10?
Why Do You Need To Format C Drive?
The formatting of drive usually uses three processes. This includes low-level and high-level formatting and partitioning. If you're wondering why you even need to perform a format of Drive C, we'll explain it. Typically a drive format is done, in a way, to refresh the drive. This deletes all the data in the hard drive (but not completely, you'll find out why in the solutions below).
Video Tutorial on How to Recover Data from Formatted Hard Drive
How to Format C Drive in Windows 10?
As promised, here are 5 ways you can Format C Drive in Windows 10.
1 Use Windows Setup or External Storage Media to Format C
Format External Hard Drive Windows 10 Fat32
This method is the most convenient way to perform the format of Drive C. This doesn't require any new install of Windows so you won't need any Windows copy. Backup to external hard drive. Take note that the installation of Windows will automatically format your drive. In this case, you don't need to format Drive C anymore before installation. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform this.
- Boot using the Windows Setup Disc. Just place the CD in the optical hard drive and just follow the instructions.
- Once the Windows installs, you will see the screen. Select the language you want to use and select Next.
- Click Install Now and wait until it finishes. This process isn't installing the Windows OS (you already have it installed).
- Accept the terms and conditions and select Next.
- Go to the Custom (advanced) option.
- Now, a prompt will ask you the location for the Windows installation. You will see a list of all the existing drives. Click on Drive options (advanced).
- Select Format among the options.
- Now, Windows will start the process of formatting your drive.
2 Use System Repair Disc to Format C
Making System Repair Disc is one of your best options to format Drive C. It's an excellent way if you don't own any installation media of your OS but have a copy of Windows 7, 8, or 10. You can create your disc and use it to boot then format drive C. Follow the instructions on how you can do this:
Firstly, you have created a System Repair Disc. Do this by following these steps:
a. Press the Start button then go to All Programs. Select Maintenance
b.Select Create a System Repair Disc and pick the location where you want to burn this. Place the CD in the optical drive before doing this or during this step.
c.Just follow the instructions in the process to continue.
- After making the disc, use it to boot. Just insert the disc into the optical drive and restart your PC. You will be shown a prompt telling you to press any key so you can boot from the CD.
- Wait for the installation to complete. Choose your preferred language and continue.
- You will be redirected to System Recovery. Select Use recovery tools… option and proceed.
Go to Command Prompt. Enter the following command:
format c: /fs:NTFS
NOTE: In this command, we're formatting the drive to NTFS. Read write hfs on windows. You can choose a different format type.
- You will be asked to provide the volume level. Enter the label.
- Proceed to the format by typing in Y and hit Enter.
- Once the format is finished, enter in the Volume Label.
3 Use Recovery Console
Recovery Console is a built-in feature in most Windows OS that allows users to fix system issues. It makes use of commands to solve the errors. You can use this using the Windows XP Setup CD and are also using Windows XP or at least have it installed on your PC. This may be the most ideal method if you're not running the newer editions of Windows.
4 Use a Diagnostic and Repair Utility
There are plenty of diagnostic and repair utilities you can make use of. These are usually made by PC users and other companies. You may use this step if you can't get hold of new versions of Windows to make your repair discs.
5 Use a Data Destruction Program to Delete the Drive's Data
Simply select all your files in a drive and permanently deleting them might not work. Using a data destruction program ensures you're wiping your drive of all the data it contains. This leaves you with a good-as-new drive. It may also be seen as a factory reset.
Formatting any of your PC's drives shouldn't be too tedious. It's an essential process you will do if you own a PC. With all of the solutions above, you'll surely find an effective method to format Drive C.
What's Wrong with Drive
- Recover Your Drive
- Fix Your Drive
- Format/Wipe Drive
- Know Your Drive
How to format an external hard drive? Don't worry. There are many methods which can help you quickly format an external hard drive. In this article, we will show you three easy methods to help you securely and quickly format an external hard drive. As the formatting process will erase all data on your external hard drive, please make a backup before you format the external hard drive.
1. Format external hard drive by using quick format tool
Connect the external hard drive to your computer, then open My Computer and find the connected external hard drive, right click the external hard drive. It shows a menu of all operations and tools. Just click Quick Format. Then you can securely and quickly format the external hard drive.
2. Format the external hard drive with Disk Management
Open Control Panel > Select System and Security > Select Administrative Tools > In the Administrative Tools window that's now open, double-tap or double-click Computer Management > Choose Disk Management on the left side of the window. It's located under Storage.
Then find the connected external hard drive. Right-click it and choose Format to open the disk-formatting wizard. You can now format the external hard drive within a few clicks.
The two methods above can help you format or reformat the external hard drive on Windows 10/8/7. However, the formatted data still can be recovered by data recovery software. Here, you can follow the steps below to recover lost data from a formatted external hard drive.
Step 1. Download a data recovery program - such as Magoshare Data Recovery. This data recovery software can help you completely recover lost files from formatted or reformatted external hard drive.
Step 2. Run Magoshare Data Recovery on your computer, then it shows all hard drives. Just select the external hard drive to start data recovery.
Step 3. Click on Scan button to scan the external hard drive. It will deeply scan the external hard drive and find every recoverable file.
Step 4. Once the scan is completed, it shows all recoverable files.You can preview the recoverable files. Just select the wanted files and save them.
Formatting hard drive does not mean wiping hard drive. The two methods above can help you securely format external hard drive, but it can permanently wipe your data. As you've seen, data recovery program can easily and quickly find all lost files from your formatted external hard drive. If you are going to sell, donate or lend your external hard drive to others, you should find a more powerful methods to format your external hard drive and permanently wipe your data.
3. Format and wipe external hard drive with AweEraser
AweEraser is a powerful data erasure software. It offers certified data erasure methods including HMG Infosec Standard 5 (1 pass), German FOFIS (2 passes), DOD 5220.22-M (3 passes), U.S. Army AR380-19 (7 passes), Peter Gutmann's algorithm (35 passes) to help you securely and quickly format/wipe external hard drive. Once your external hard drive is formatted by AweEraser, all data on the external hard drive will be lost forever, can't be recovered by any data recovery software. Just follow the steps below.
Step 1. Download and install AweEraser on your computer, open it. It shows all local hard drives and external devices on your computer.
Step 2. Choose mode Erase Hard Drive. Then select the external hard drive.
How To Format External Hard Drive
Step 3. Click Erase to format the external hard drive and permanently erase all data on the external hard drive.
Step 1. Download a data recovery program - such as Magoshare Data Recovery. This data recovery software can help you completely recover lost files from formatted or reformatted external hard drive.
Step 2. Run Magoshare Data Recovery on your computer, then it shows all hard drives. Just select the external hard drive to start data recovery.
Step 3. Click on Scan button to scan the external hard drive. It will deeply scan the external hard drive and find every recoverable file.
Step 4. Once the scan is completed, it shows all recoverable files.You can preview the recoverable files. Just select the wanted files and save them.
Formatting hard drive does not mean wiping hard drive. The two methods above can help you securely format external hard drive, but it can permanently wipe your data. As you've seen, data recovery program can easily and quickly find all lost files from your formatted external hard drive. If you are going to sell, donate or lend your external hard drive to others, you should find a more powerful methods to format your external hard drive and permanently wipe your data.
3. Format and wipe external hard drive with AweEraser
AweEraser is a powerful data erasure software. It offers certified data erasure methods including HMG Infosec Standard 5 (1 pass), German FOFIS (2 passes), DOD 5220.22-M (3 passes), U.S. Army AR380-19 (7 passes), Peter Gutmann's algorithm (35 passes) to help you securely and quickly format/wipe external hard drive. Once your external hard drive is formatted by AweEraser, all data on the external hard drive will be lost forever, can't be recovered by any data recovery software. Just follow the steps below.
Step 1. Download and install AweEraser on your computer, open it. It shows all local hard drives and external devices on your computer.
Step 2. Choose mode Erase Hard Drive. Then select the external hard drive.
How To Format External Hard Drive
Step 3. Click Erase to format the external hard drive and permanently erase all data on the external hard drive.
Once the process gets finished, all data on the external hard drive will be permanently erased, can't be recovered by data recovery software. AweEraser also can help you selectively shred files from external hard drive or wipe deleted data on external hard drive.
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