你有没有(Did)新的外部驱动器？或者您是否正在寻找故障排除或出售旧驱动器？然后，最好将其擦除并格式化。继续阅读以了解如何在Microsoft Windows 10和 11 中执行此操作。
当您购买外部硬盘驱动器、SSD（固态驱动器）或闪存棒时，您很可能可以将其连接到Windows PC 并立即使用。但是，您可能仍希望擦除和格式化驱动器，以便您知道您从一个干净的石板和一个适当的文件系统开始。
如果您已经使用该驱动器一段时间了，格式化可以帮助解决持续存在的性能问题和其他问题。如果您打算出售驱动器，还必须重新格式化驱动器并安全擦除其数据。
在Windows中(Windows Works)擦除(Erasing)和格式化驱动器的工作原理
在Windows(Windows)中格式化外部HDD、SSD或USB闪存驱动器时，操作系统会释放磁盘空间以供其他数据使用。此外，它对驱动器扇区运行可靠性检查并修复严重错误（尽管不能保证）。
但这只是图片的一半。格式化(Formatting)还为您提供了实施合适文件系统的绝佳机会。当您要确保驱动器与其他设备兼容(ensure that a drive is compatible with other devices)时，这一点至关重要。Windows 允许您使用以下三种文件系统之一格式化外部驱动器。
NTFS：默认的Windows文件系统。NTFS 支持大文件大小并提供出色的安全性，但它不能完全在Windows(Windows)和Linux之外的替代操作系统上运行。
FAT32：旧版Windows文件系统。与NTFS不同，FAT32与大多数操作系统具有更广泛的兼容性，但文件大小限制为 4GB 或更小，可靠性较低，并且不安全。
exFAT：一个全面的文件系统，适用于Windows和Apple macOS for Mac，exFAT 在兼容性、可用性和安全性之间取得了出色的平衡。
您可以通过格式化(Format)实用程序、磁盘管理(Disk Management)控制台和Windows中的(Windows)命令提示符(Command Prompt)来格式化驱动器。但是，只有命令提示符(Command Prompt)允许您将FAT32实现为超过 32GB 的驱动器上的文件系统。
也就是说，在Windows中格式化驱动器并不能完全擦除您的数据。如果您打算出售该驱动器，则必须使用可以安全删除所有数据的第三方格式化工具，例如Disk Wipe 。如果您正在对驱动器上的问题进行故障排除(troubleshooting for issues on a drive)，您可能需要考虑在开始之前
运行检查磁盘 (CHKDSK) 实用程序。(running the Check Disk (CHKDSK) utility)
警告：擦除驱动器或分区将永久删除所有文件和文件夹。如果您想在之后恢复所有内容，请备份任何数据。
(Erase)使用格式化实用程序在Windows中(Windows Using Format Utility)擦除和格式化(Format)驱动器(Drive)
您可以通过文件资源管理器(File Explorer)访问的格式化实用程序是在(Format)Windows中擦除和格式化外部驱动器的最便捷方式。您还可以决定是否要通过执行快速格式化来加快速度。
1. 打开文件资源管理器(File Explorer)并切换到侧边栏上的这台电脑选项卡。然后，右键单击要格式化的外部硬盘、SSD或闪存驱动器，然后在下拉菜单中
选择“格式化”。(Format)
2. 在“格式(Format)”对话框
中调整以下设置：
文件系统：在NTFS(NTFS)、FAT32和 exFAT 文件系统之间切换。FAT32不适用于超过 32GB 的驱动器。
分配(Allocation)单元大小：定义驱动器上每个数据块的最小单元大小。默认选择会根据您选择的文件系统而有所不同，例如 exFAT 为 128 KB。了解有关分配单元大小(Learn more about allocation unit size)的更多信息。
卷标：如果您想更轻松地从其他外部媒体识别驱动器，请替换默认名称。自定义卷标也将出现在其他设备和操作系统上。
快速格式化(Format)：如果要快速擦除和格式化驱动器，请选中该框。如果您正在对驱动器进行故障排除，请将其清除。
注意：如果要恢复驱动器的默认选择，
请选择恢复设备默认值按钮。(Restore)
3. 选择Start > OK.如果您选择“快速格式化(Quick Format)”选项
，您应该在几秒钟内完成。
(Erase)使用磁盘管理(Windows Using Disk Management)在Windows 中擦除和格式化(Format)驱动器(Drive)
磁盘管理控制台是一个多功能实用程序，可让您管理(Disk Management)Windows中的驱动器、卷和分区。它还允许您快速格式化驱动器。如果外部驱动器未能出现在文件资源管理器(File Explorer)中，请使用它。
1. 按Windows Key + R打开运行(Run)框。然后，键入 diskmgmt.msc，然后按Enter。
2. 右键单击卷(Volumes)部分下的驱动器并选择格式化(Format)。
3. 添加卷标，选择文件系统，并指定分配单元大小。此外，如果您希望磁盘管理(Management)执行完整格式化，请清除完整执行快速格式化旁边的框。然后，选择确定。
注意：如果您使用NTFS文件系统格式化驱动器，您可以选中(NTFS)启用(Enable)文件和文件夹压缩旁边的框以压缩您默认添加的文件和文件夹。但是，这可能会对性能产生不利影响。
4. 再次选择确定进行确认。
(Erase)使用命令提示符(Windows Using Command Prompt)在Windows 中擦除和格式化(Format)驱动器(Drive)
或者，您可以使用命令提示符(Command Prompt)和Windows PowerShell控制台在Windows中格式化驱动器。如果您想在 FAT32 中格式化超过 32GB 的驱动器，(format drives that exceed 32GB natively in FAT32)这是最好的选择。
1.打开(Open)开始(Start)菜单，输入cmd，选择以管理员身份打开，打开命令(Open)提示符控制台(Command Prompt)。如果您更喜欢Windows PowerShell，请右键单击开始(Start)按钮并选择Windows PowerShell ( Admin ) 或Windows Terminal ( Admin )。
2. 运行diskpart命令加载DiskPart命令行工具。
3. 运行 list disk 命令以加载计算机上的驱动器列表。
4. 键入 select disk [disk number]，将 [disk number] 替换为您要格式化的驱动器的编号。使用大小(Size)列来识别正确的数字。按 Enter(Press Enter)选择驱动器。
5. 运行 clean 命令擦除驱动器上的所有数据。
6. 键入 create partition primary 并按Enter对驱动器进行分区。
7.键入(Type)格式 fs=fat32 label=[驱动器名称]。将(Replace)fat32 替换为您想要的文件系统，将 [drive name] 替换为驱动器标签。然后，按Enter。
8.键入(Type)assign 并按Enter为驱动器分配驱动器号。
9. 键入 exit 并按Enter退出DiskPart。
使用磁盘擦除(Windows Using Disk Wipe)在Windows 中安全擦除(Erase)和格式化(Format)驱动器(Drive)
如果您想安全地擦除外部驱动器，可以使用名为Disk Wipe(Disk Wipe)的免费第三方格式化工具。它允许您运行各种擦除模式以防止文件恢复工具检索您的数据。
1.下载并启动磁盘擦除(Disk Wipe)。然后，选择要格式化的驱动器并选择“擦除磁盘(Wipe Disk)”按钮。
2. 选择一个文件系统——NTFS、FAT或FAT32。然后，选择下一步(Next)。
3. 选择擦除图案。例如，您可以使用单次零覆盖存储设备的内容，或使用复杂的数据擦除技术，例如Peter Guttman方法。请注意，使用多遍的方法可能需要很长时间才能完成。
4. 键入ERASE ALL并选择Finish。
5. 选择是确认。
除了磁盘擦除(Disk Wipe)之外，您还可以依靠各种其他格式化工具和应用程序（例如DBan、KillDisk和Eraser）来安全地擦除驱动器。这是可以在 Windows 中完全擦除驱动器的免费程序(free programs that can completely wipe a drive in Windows)的完整列表。
How to Erase and Format a Drive in Windows
Did you get a new extеrnal drive? Or are you looking to troυbleshoot or sell an older drіve? Then, it’s a good іdea tо erase and format it. Read on to learn how to do that in Micrоsoft Windows 10 and 11.
When you buy an external hard drive, SSD (solid-state drive), or flash stick, chances are that you can connect it to your Windows PC and use it right away. However, you may still want to erase and format the drive, so that you know you’re starting with a clean slate and an appropriate file system.
If you’ve already been using the drive for some time, formatting can help resolve persistent performance issues and other problems. You must also reformat the drive and securely erase its data if you plan to sell it.
How Erasing and Formatting a Drive in Windows Works
When you format an external HDD, SSD, or USB flash drive in Windows, the operating system frees up the disk space for use by other data. Additionally, it runs reliability checks on drive sectors and fixes severe errors (though there’s no guarantee).
But that’s just half the picture. Formatting also gives you the perfect opportunity to implement a suitable file system. That’s essential when you want to ensure that a drive is compatible with other devices. Windows allows you to format external drives with one of the three file systems below.
NTFS: The default Windows file system. NTFS supports large file sizes and provides excellent security, but it doesn’t fully work on alternative operating systems besides Windows and Linux.
FAT32: A legacy Windows file system. Unlike NTFS, FAT32 features wider compatibility with most operating systems but imposes file size limits of 4GB or less, is less reliable, and is not as secure.
exFAT: An all-round file system that works well on both Windows and Apple macOS for Mac, exFAT strikes an excellent balance between compatibility, usability, and security.
You can format a drive via the Format utility, Disk Management console, and Command Prompt in Windows. However, only the Command Prompt lets you implement FAT32 as the file system on drives that exceed 32GB.
That said, formatting a drive in Windows doesn’t completely wipe your data. If you intend to sell the drive, you must use a third-party formatting tool such as Disk Wipe that can securely delete all data. If you’re troubleshooting for issues on a drive, you might want to consider running the Check Disk (CHKDSK) utility before you start.
Warning: Erasing a drive or partition will permanently delete all files and folders. Take a backup of any data if you want to restore everything afterward.
Erase and Format a Drive in Windows Using Format Utility
The Format utility, which you can access via File Explorer, is the most convenient way to erase and format external drives in Windows. You can also decide if you want to speed things up by performing a quick format.
1. Open File Explorer and switch to the This PC tab on the sidebar. Then, right-click the external hard disk, SSD, or flash drive you want to format and select Format on the drop-down menu.
2. Adjust the following settings on the Format dialog:
File system: Switch between the NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT file systems. FAT32 is not available for drives that exceed 32GB.
Allocation unit size: Define the minimum unit size of each data block on your drive. The default selection changes depending on the file system you select—e.g., 128 kilobytes for exFAT. Learn more about allocation unit size.
Volume label: Replace the default name if you want to have an easier time identifying the drive from other external media. A custom volume label will also appear on other devices and operating systems.
Quick Format: Leave the box checked if you want to erase and format the drive quickly. Clear it if you’re troubleshooting the drive.
Note: Select the Restore device defaults button if you want to revert to the default selections for the drive.
3. Select Start > OK. You should be done in seconds if you choose the Quick Format option.
Erase and Format a Drive in Windows Using Disk Management
The Disk Management console is a versatile utility that allows you to manage drives, volumes, and partitions in Windows. It also allows you to format drives quickly. Use it if an external drive fails to appear in File Explorer.
1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run box. Then, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
2. Right-click the drive under the Volumes section and select Format.
3. Add a volume label, pick a file system, and specify the allocation unit size. Additionally, clear the box next to Perform a quick format intact if you want Disk Management to perform a full format. Then, select OK.
Note: If you’re formatting a drive with the NTFS file system, you can check the box next to Enable file and folder compression to compress files and folders you add by default. However, that can adversely impact performance.
4. Select OK again to confirm.
Erase and Format a Drive in Windows Using Command Prompt
Alternatively, you can use the Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell consoles to format a drive in Windows. It’s the best option if you want to format drives that exceed 32GB natively in FAT32.
1. Open the Start menu, type cmd, and select Open as administrator to open the Command Prompt console. If you prefer Windows PowerShell, right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Run the diskpart command to load the DiskPart command-line tool.
3. Run the list disk command to load a list of drives on your computer.
4. Type select disk [disk number], replacing [disk number] with the number of the drive you want to format. Use the Size column to identify the correct number. Press Enter to select the drive.
5. Run the clean command to erase all data on the drive.
6. Type create partition primary and press Enter to partition the drive.
7. Type format fs=fat32 label=[drive name]. Replace fat32 with the file system you want and [drive name] with a drive label. Then, press Enter.
8. Type assign and press Enter to assign a drive letter for the drive.
9. Type exit and press Enter to quit DiskPart.
Securely Erase and Format a Drive in Windows Using Disk Wipe
If you want to erase an external drive securely, you can use a free third-party formatting tool called Disk Wipe. It lets you run various erasing patterns to prevent file recovery tools from retrieving your data.
1. Download and launch Disk Wipe. Then, choose the drive you want to format and select the Wipe Disk button.
2. Select a file system—NTFS, FAT, or FAT32. Then, select Next.
3. Select an erasing pattern. For example, you can overwrite the storage device’s contents with a single pass of zeros or use sophisticated data wiping techniques such as the Peter Guttman method. Note that using methods with multiple passes can take a long time to complete.
4. Type ERASE ALL and select Finish.
5. Select Yes to confirm.
Disk Wipe aside, you can rely on various other formatting tools and apps such as DBan, KillDisk, and Eraser to securely erase drives. Here’s a complete list of free programs that can completely wipe a drive in Windows.
