How to format a disk on a computer

When the computer is working, there are often all kinds of errors that can not always be eliminated by means of system recovery, sometimes you have to resort to radical measures, for example, to format the hard disk. Also, if the hard disk is new, it is recommended to format it, thereby preparing it for the full operation of the file system. For those who do not know how to format the disc, we have prepared this article.

So, in order. Formatting a hard disk is the process of creating a markup structure, which in the future will help to provide access to data. Formatting can be of two types: high-level or low-level.

High-level formatting creates a boot sector table, that is, records the structure of the file system. This type of formatting is necessary in order for the hard disk to be used as the main one on which the operating system will be installed. As you understand, preparing this disk for installing the system, this method of formatting is applied. In addition, as noted above, the low-level formatting method is used. With it, the disk is partitioned into sectors and tracks. Making such formatting, keep in mind, all the data on the hard drive will be erased and restore them will not work. Low-level formatting is used to destroy data, or if there are bad sectors on the disk. How to format a disc in a low-level way? At home, this can not be done, only at the factory, using special equipment. Although there are programs on the software market that imitate such formatting. For household needs, this is quite enough.

Before answering the question of how to format a disk, let's talk about the types of file systems. In almost all cases, it is recommended that you use NTFS or FAT32 file systems . The second one is obsolete and is practically not used, since it seriously limits the size of the partitions created for data storage. If you have a modern computer that has a Sata hard drive on its board and with one of the latest versions of Windows installed, then it is recommended to use NTFS to partition the hard disk.

The cluster size is recommended to be set to the one specified by default, it is suitable for most tasks performed by ordinary users.

How to format a disk in Windows? If you want to format a hard disk or a partition on which the operating system itself is not installed, you should go to My Computer. Then right click to select the desired disk, the menu will open, in which you should select "Formatting the disk". You can perform this procedure by going to "Disk Management", you can do this by right-clicking the My Computer - Manage icon. Recall, you can format this way only drives that do not have an operating system installed, otherwise the disk will not be formatted.

How to format a drive on which the operating system is installed? For this method, you will need a Windows boot disk, or a third-party program, for example Acronis Disc Director. During the pre-boot (provided that you have the BIOS loaded from the appropriate media), you must select a boot disk or program. Then make the disk layout.