Format HDD In Windows 10 Using File Explorer
In this Windows 10 post, we will be taking a look at how you can format your hard drive without having to download any additional software on your PC or laptop.
Yes that’s correct you can format a hard drive within Windows 10, and it’s the same method as formatting a USB.
Formatting a hard drive is a very quick way of wiping everything that is on it.
Below we have listed the steps for formatting your hard drive. But you will not be able to format the hard drive which you are using to run Windows 10 as luckily it brings up an error saying “You cannot format this volume. It contains the version of Windows that you are using. Formatting this volume could cause your computer to stop working.”
****Top Tip****
When you format your hard drive this will erase and wipe all data on that drive so ensure you have backed up all of your data before running a format
Formatting A Hard Drive in Windows 10 In File Explorer:
1. Open File Explorer > Now right-click the hard drive you want to format
2. Now click “Format…“
3. You can now change a few different settings like File system, Allocation unit size, Volume label, and if you would like to do a Quick Format (If you want to do a slightly more secure format ensure you deselect Quick Format)
4. Once happy with the settings click “Start” to begin formatting your hard drive
5. You will now get a window saying “Warning: Formatting will erase ALL data on this disk. To format the disk, click OK. To quit, click CANCEL.” > If you are happy you now need to click “OK“
6. Once complete you will get a window saying “Format Complete“
There you have it you will now have a hard drive with nothing on it. While your hard drive is empty it would be worth running an error check.
Check out more of our Windows 10 posts here.
