How to Format a Computer Without a Windows CD

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
You can format a hard drive without a Windows CD.

Formatting a computer hard drive is always a last-resort effort to pursue only when all other methods of attempting to fix a problem have failed. A formatted hard drive will be completely wiped of all data, including the operating system. The Microsoft Windows operating system comes with a built-in feature that allows you to format a hard drive without having to use a boot disc or installation CD.

Advertisement

Step 1

Click "Start," then "Control Panel." Double-click on "Administrative Tools."

Video of the Day

Step 2

Double-click "Computer Management" and then click "Continue" when a box pops up. Wait for a new window to appear and then scroll down through the list of options on the left pane. Click on the "+" sign next to the "Storage" option and then click on "Disk Management."

Advertisement

Step 3

Find the hard drive you want to format in the list of drives in the center pane. Right-click on the drive and choose the "Format..." option from the new menu that will appear.

Advertisement

Step 4

Choose the "NTFS" option from the drop-down menu labeled as "File System." Leave the "Allocation Size" option at "Default" and then click on the "OK" button to begin the formatting process.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

Advertisement

resources

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...