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  • Tech - Tips And Tricks
  • Updated: Jun 08, 2021

How To Forcefully Format Hard Drive, SSD

The process of formatting a hard disk or SSD is the same as restoring the drive to a clean state, similar to when the drive was new since it erases all the data in an instant. When formatting the hard drive, internal and external storage media can be cleaned.

We will take you through the step-by-step process of how you can format a hard drive using the command prompt. But before you do this, ensure you back up all available data to prevent permanent data loss.

STEP 1:    Open Command Prompt As Administrator

Opening the command prompt.

Search for the command prompt on your screen, right-click and run as Administrator.

STEP 2:    Use Diskpart

Using diskpart

Once the command line is open on the screen, type 'diskpart' and press Enter.

STEP 3:    Type List Disk

Using list disk

The above command will open a Diskpart window. In this window, type 'list disk' and press Enter. It will list all the available drives.

STEP 4:    Select the Drive to Format

Formatting a drive.

Now type 'select disk (disk number)' as shown above. Specify the drive number which needs to be formatted.

STEP 5:    Clean the Disk

Using the clean function.

In this step, type 'clean'. This command will permanently delete all files and folders, and successfully clean up the disk.

STEP 6:    Create Partition Primary

Creating primary partition.

To make the drive again accessible, type 'create partition primary'.

STEP 7:    Format the Drive

Formatting a drive.

Now format the drive with FAT or NTFS file system. Type 'format fs=ntfs' and press Enter.

STEP 8:    Assign a Drive Letter

Assigning a drive letter

To assign a drive letter, you can type 'assign' as shown below.

Here are the eight steps again:

•             Search and open for command prompt as Administrator.

•             Once the command line is open, type 'diskpart' and press Enter.

•             The above command line will open a Diskpart window. In this window, type 'list disk' and press Enter. It will list all the available drives.

•             Now type 'select disk (disk number)' after the list is available on-screen. Specify the drive number which needs to be formatted.

•             Here, type 'clean.' This command will permanently delete all files and folders and successfully clean up the disk.

•             To make the drive again accessible, type 'create partition primary.

•             Now format the drive with the FAT or NTFS file system. Type 'format fs=ntfs' and press Enter.

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