Formatting a hard drive from the BIOS in Windows 10 can be a bit tricky if you’ve never done it before. But don’t worry, it’s not as daunting as it sounds. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to get the job done. Basically, you’ll need to access the BIOS, then use the command prompt to format the hard drive. Ready? Let’s dive in!
How to Format a Hard Drive Windows 10 from BIOS
Formatting a hard drive from the BIOS in Windows 10 involves accessing the BIOS, navigating to the command prompt, and executing the necessary commands. This method is especially useful if you can’t access Windows normally. Follow the steps below to accomplish this task.
Step 1: Restart Your Computer
Restart your computer to begin the process.
To access the BIOS, you’ll need to restart your computer. Keep an eye out for the initial screen that appears as your computer boots up, as it will display the key you need to press to enter the BIOS. Common keys include F2, F12, Delete, and Esc.
Step 2: Enter BIOS
Press the designated key to enter the BIOS.
Once you know which key to press, do so promptly before the Windows logo appears. If you miss it, just restart your computer and try again. Once inside the BIOS, you’ll be in a setup utility screen where you can manage various hardware settings.
Step 3: Navigate to Boot Menu
Navigate to the Boot Menu to change boot settings.
Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate to the Boot Menu or Boot Options. Here, you’ll set your computer to boot from a USB drive or CD/DVD, which will allow you to access a command prompt.
Step 4: Boot from Installation Media
Insert your Windows installation media and select it as the boot device.
If you don’t have the installation media, you can create one using a USB drive and the Windows Media Creation Tool. Once inserted, select the USB drive or CD/DVD as the boot device. Your computer will then boot from this media, which allows you to access advanced options.
Step 5: Access Command Prompt
Select the ‘Repair your computer’ option to access the command prompt.
After your computer boots from the installation media, choose the ‘Repair your computer’ option, followed by ‘Troubleshoot’. Then, select ‘Advanced Options’ and finally, ‘Command Prompt’. This will open a command prompt window where you can type commands.
Step 6: Format the Hard Drive
Type the necessary commands to format the hard drive.
In the command prompt, type diskpart and hit Enter. Then type list disk to display available drives. Next, select the disk you want to format by typing select disk X (replace X with the disk number). Finally, type clean and hit Enter, followed by create partition primary, select partition 1, format fs=ntfs quick, and assign letter=C. Your hard drive is now formatted.
After you complete these steps, your hard drive will be formatted and ready to use. You can now install a fresh copy of Windows or use the drive for storage.
Tips for Formatting a Hard Drive Windows 10 from BIOS
- Backup Important Data: Always backup your important data before formatting your hard drive to avoid data loss.
- Create Installation Media: Use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive or CD/DVD.
- Identify Correct Disk: Double-check the disk number before formatting to avoid formatting the wrong drive.
- Use Quick Format: The
quickoption speeds up the formatting process but doesn’t scan for bad sectors. - Keep Installation Media Handy: Having the installation media on hand can be useful for future troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I format a hard drive without installation media?
No, you’ll need Windows installation media to access the command prompt from the BIOS.
What happens if I format the wrong drive?
You’ll lose all data on that drive, so double-check the disk number before you proceed.
Can I recover data after formatting?
It’s challenging to recover data after formatting, so backup important files beforehand.
Is formatting from BIOS better than from Windows?
Formatting from BIOS is useful if you can’t access Windows, but otherwise, formatting from within Windows is more straightforward.
What file system should I use?
NTFS is typically used for Windows installations, while exFAT or FAT32 are used for external drives.
Summary
- Restart Your Computer.
- Enter BIOS.
- Navigate to Boot Menu.
- Boot from Installation Media.
- Access Command Prompt.
- Format the Hard Drive.
Conclusion
Formatting a hard drive from the BIOS in Windows 10 might sound like a complex task, but it’s manageable if you follow these steps carefully. This method is particularly useful when you can’t access Windows normally and need to perform a clean format. Remember, always backup your important data before undertaking such operations to prevent data loss. If you found this guide helpful, consider bookmarking it for future reference or sharing it with a friend who might need it. For more detailed guides and tips, keep exploring our other posts. Your journey in mastering computer maintenance doesn’t stop here—there’s always more to learn!
Matthew Burleigh is the head writer at solveyourtech.com, where he covers topics like the iPhone, Microsoft Office, and Google apps. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has over 15 years of IT experience.
He has been writing online since 2008 and has published thousands of articles that have been read millions of times.