How to format a disk using Diskpart

Introduction:

Formatting a disk can be done via the command line on Windows, using a utility called Diskpart. Diskpart is a built-in Windows utility.

Requirements:

Access to the Windows command line.

Procedure:

From the TaskBar, search for:

cmd

From the command line, enter the command:

diskpart

Allow Diskpart to run, if prompted. Enter the command:

list volume

This will return volume information such as:

DISKPART> list volume

Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
Volume 0 C NTFS Simple 119 GB Healthy Boot
Volume 1 System Rese NTFS Simple 100 MB Healthy System
Volume 2 D DVD-ROM 0 B No Media

Enter the command:

select volume 1

but replace the “1” with the number of the desired volume you would like to reformat. For the simplest reformatting, just enter the command:

format

If time is an issue, you may have it reformat quickly by entering the command

format quick

If you want to be specify the filesystem, such as NTFS, you may enter the command:

format fs=NTFS

More Information:

Type:

help format

within diskpart for more information.