How to use the diskpart command to format a drive in Windows

To format a drive using diskpart in Windows, open Command Prompt as Administrator by pressing Windows + X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin), then click Yes if prompted by UAC; next, type diskpart to enter the tool, list disk to view all drives, select disk X replacing X with the correct disk number based on size, clean to erase all data and partitions, create partition primary to make a new partition, select partition 1 to choose it, format fs=ntfs quick or format fs=fat32 quick to format with the desired file system using quick format, assign to give the drive a letter, and finally exit to leave diskpart; verify the result by opening File Explorer to confirm the drive appears and is accessible. Always double-check the disk number before cleaning to avoid permanent data loss on the wrong drive. This method is ideal when the drive doesn’t appear in File Explorer, shows file system errors, fails to initialize, or has hidden partitions limiting its capacity.

Formatting a drive using the diskpart command in Windows is a powerful method, especially when the standard GUI (File Explorer) fails—like with stubborn drives, incorrect file systems, or unallocated space. Here's how to do it properly and safely.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Before using diskpart, you need elevated privileges.

• Press Windows + X and choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
• If prompted by UAC (User Account Control), click Yes.

? Always be cautious with diskpart—it can erase data permanently.

2. Use Diskpart to Format the Drive

Follow these steps carefully:

1. Type the following command and press Enter:

   

   diskpart

2. List all disks to identify the correct one:

   list disk

3. Identify your target drive by size. Once sure, select it (replace X with the actual disk number):

   select disk X

4. Clean the disk (this deletes all partitions and data):

   clean

5. Create a new primary partition:

   create partition primary

6. Select the newly created partition:

   select partition 1

7. Format the partition with a file system (e.g., NTFS or FAT32). For example:

   • For NTFS:

     format fs=ntfs quick

   • For FAT32:

     format fs=fat32 quick

   ? The quick flag skips a full scan—faster but less thorough. Remove it for a full format.

8. Assign a drive letter:

   assign

9. Exit diskpart:

   exit

3. Verify the Result

• Open File Explorer—your drive should now appear with the assigned letter.
• Check that it’s formatted correctly and accessible.

⚠️ Warning: Double-check the disk number before running clean. Formatting the wrong drive can result in permanent data loss.

When to Use Diskpart Over GUI

• The drive doesn’t show up in File Explorer.
• You’re getting errors like “The volume does not contain a recognized file system.”
• You’re preparing a USB drive or SSD that’s not initializing properly.
• You need to remove hidden partitions or restore full capacity.

Basically, diskpart gives you low-level control. Just proceed step by step, and make absolutely sure you’re selecting the right disk. Once done, your drive should be clean and ready to use.

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