How to Format C on Windows XP
Formatting the C drive in Windows XP is beneficial if you want to start your computer storage with a clean slate. It's also an effective way to repair damage caused by viruses that you otherwise cannot. During formatting, the C drive will be wiped clean. There are many ways to do this in Windows XP. Learn the easiest way to format the drive.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Left click "Start" on the Start bar in Windows XP and select "My Computer."
-
2
Look for the drive labeled C. Usually, it will be under a section titled Hard Disk Drives. Right-click the "C" drive.
-
-
3
A menu list will pop up. Scroll through the list and select "Format."
-
4
A format dialog box will appear. Here you can select the "Quick Formatting" option if you don't want to overwrite the entire C disk. If you want to do a full format, go to Step 5.
-
5
Select "Start" in the format dialog box. The computer will now begin to format the C drive.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You may want to partition your C drive in Window XP before formatting the drive. Partitioning sets up different sections on the drive, and you can format one section at a time.
Back up all your files before formatting. The process will erase all files from your drive. Make sure to backup your files even if you are doing a Quick Formatting so you don't lose any files.
