How to Format a Hard Disk Drive Partition in Windows Vista?


Formatting a hard disk drive partition means clearing all the data on that partition and reclaiming the full storage space of that partition. While formatting a partition all your data will be lost on that partition so be careful while doing it. This is a good option if that partition is affected by a virus.

Note: The partition in which the OS is installed will not be formatted i.e. if Vista is installed on C: then you cannot format the C: partition.

You can format a Hard Disk Drive partition in the following way:

1) Double click the Computer icon on the Desktop to open the My Computer window



Figure 1


2) Now right click on any of the partition to be formatted except the partition that contains the OS and choose Format option.

3) Click Continue button if prompted by UAC

4) Check the option Quick Format if you want to save time and click Start button



Figure 2


5) Click OK button to confirm



Figure 3


6) Wait for a while till the partition is formatted.