Almost all users of Windows-systems have heard about the presence in the operating systems of such a tool as the command to format the disk or the section "format c:". That's just not every user imagines the use of this tool, as well as the elimination of some problems that may arise at the formatting stage.
Windows 7 command “format c:”: what is it for?
Yes, indeed, this toolkit serves specifically for formatting a hard disk or logical partition. But it works on slightly different principles that are used in the OS itself.
The “format c:” command (in Windows, “format c:” is used for formatting by default, but on other systems the command may differ), it can format disks and partitions in different ways. For example, for removable media, fast formatting is most often used, for system disks - full, sometimes creating boot areas, etc. is required.
The built-in tool, which can be called up through the properties of the selected drive or removable media, does not always work. Damage to the file system can have consequences, especially if a fast process is used. In addition, it is impossible to format the system disk in a loaded and currently running operating system (the operating system itself is installed on it, and quite naturally, it does not allow itself to be deleted). We will return to these issues a bit later, but for now let's see exactly when the “format c:” command may be required (in Windows, “format c:”, as you already understand, can be used exclusively in a selective way and not for all media).
When is formatting required?
As for the scope of this command, for a start it is worth noting that it is in this form that it can be entered exclusively on the command line (using additional attributes). Despite the fact that the built-in tool called through the graphical interface seems to be a complete analogue of this service, it is not.
For example, many users are installing the system, so to speak, from scratch. To ensure that the installed OS of the same version on top of an existing, earlier or later modification, does not inherit system errors, the previous system partition must be fully formatted (and not fast, which involves only clearing the table of contents).
At the installation stage, the installer will suggest options for action. But quite often it is possible to meet situations when a message appears on the user's computer about the impossibility of such actions, since the selected section refers to the GPT, and not to the MBR. This problem is resolved quite simply, but using the diskpart toolkit, followed by formatting.
The “format c:” tool: how to format a partition in a system?
To begin, consider the simplest option. Suppose a user has a hard drive divided into two sections (C and D). The first is systemic, the second is logical. The system will not allow you to perform actions with the “C” drive, but for the second section, you can use the call to properties of the drive through the PCM menu through the same “Explorer” and set the formatting. The same, by the way, applies to any kind of removable storage devices.
Do not like this method? Call the command line and write in it the desired command, setting the desired character of the corresponding section.
Note: the command “format c:” with respect to the system partition only works if the second OS is installed in the virtual partition and only if it is currently loaded. This is explained simply: for example, the “C” drive has the XP version installed, and the “D” drive has Windows 7 installed, which is currently loaded. It will not be difficult to format the first disk, but only the system previously installed on it will simply be destroyed.
Formatting the system drive
Now a few words about the use of the “format c:” command in Windows 7, if only one operating system is installed on the computer. In this case, you can not do without starting from removable media. No other options simply exist.
You boot from a disk or a flash drive, call the command console through the combination of Shift + F10 or use the recovery console, and then register the original command in its original form ("format c:") or select the proposed tool. You can, of course, add additional attributes indicating the change of the file system or quick formatting, but if it comes to the complete cleaning of the contents, it’s better not to use such solution options. The same applies to the formatting process if viruses that cannot be deleted by any means are located in the system partition.
Team Execution Issues
Finally, the execution of the “format c:” command may be blocked. In the case of installing two or more systems, this can only concern the fact that the command console itself is launched without the corresponding administrator rights.
In the case of starting from a removable device, most often failures occur due to their damage (scratches on disks, file system errors on USB drives, etc.). Thus, before writing the installation distribution or recovery configuration to removable media of any type, you just need to check them visually or systematically).
Instead of a total
Of course, this is far from all that can be said about the “format c:” command. If such a need is already ripe, additional attributes that can be used as additions to the main tool can be viewed on the same command line by specifying “format /?” As the executable command, then select a combination that is suitable for use in this situation .
But this is only required if the user really needs such actions. Otherwise, you can use the standard string.