How to Format Hard Drives
If you have a Windows operating system installed on your computer, it may sometimes be necessary to format your hard drive and start from scratch. This process, though it makes your computer run cleanly and smoothly again, erases all of the data on your hard drive. Make sure that you have backed up all of your necessary files before you reformat your Windows PC. Once you reformat your hard drive, it cannot be undone.
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Instructions
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Make sure all of your important data is backed up. When you format your hard drive, all of your data will be erased.
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Click "Start" and go to "Run." When the Run box opens, type "cmd" and hit "OK."
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Type "format c:\" at the DOS command prompt. Hit "Enter" only if you are sure you want to format your hard drive.
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Reboot the operating system using the boot disk that came with your computer. This will reinstall the operating system.
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Make sure your computer is running smoothly. Replace any files you need from your backup onto the formatted hard drive.
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Tips & Warnings
Be certain you have backed up all of your important files. After you reformat, you cannot get them back. Make sure you have the operating system boot disk before you reformat. If you don't have the boot disk, you will not be able to run the operating system after you reformat your computer. A boot disk comes with new copies of the operating system, which you can purchase at any computer store.
