Format External Hard Drive Windows 10

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Dec 03, 2020 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions

In order to make external hard drive bootable Windows 10, you need to format external hard drive at first. Step 1: Insert the external hard drive into your computer. Type cmd in the search box and right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator to continue. If the computer you purchased came WITH Windows 10 downgrading to a previous version of Windows is not a really good idea. But if you have Windows 8.1 installation discs slide one in your DVD-R tray and follow the instructions for installing that version of Windows. You do not need to format your hard drive first. But I urge you not to do this. Open Disk Management, the hard drive manager included with all versions of Windows. Accept the default drive letter or choose a different drive letter to identify the partition, and then select Next. In the Format Partition dialog box, do one of the following: If you don't want to format the volume right now, select Do not format this volume, and then select Next. To format the volume with the default settings, select Next. The Best Format for External Hard Drives. If you want to format your external hard drive to work with Mac and Windows computers, you should use exFAT. With exFAT, you can store files of any size, and use it with any computer made in the last 20 years. Now that you know which format to use, check out our guide on how to format your hard drive on.

Disk formatting is done as a preparation for the use of any operating system. It's a common process done by many PC users. There are many ways you can do this task so if one method fails, you can opt to use another. In this article, we'll show you how to format Drive C using your Windows computer.

Why Do You Need To Format C Drive?

The formatting of drive usually uses three processes. This includes low-level and high-level formatting and partitioning. If you're wondering why you even need to perform a format of Drive C, we'll explain it. Typically a drive format is done, in a way, to refresh the drive. This deletes all the data in the hard drive (but not completely, you'll find out why in the solutions below).

How to Format C Drive in Windows 10

As promised, here are 5 ways you can Format C Drive in Windows 10.

Solution 1 - Use Windows Setup or External Storage Media to Format C

Format External Hard Drive Windows 10

This method is the most convenient way to perform the format of Drive C. Download auto clicker windows 10. This doesn't require any new install of Windows so you won't need any Windows copy. Take note that the installation of Windows will automatically format your drive. In this case, you don't need to format Drive C anymore before installation. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform this.

  1. Boot using the Windows Setup Disc. Just place the CD in the optical hard drive and just follow the instructions.
  2. Once the Windows installs, you will see the screen. Select the language you want to use and select Next.
  3. Click Install Now and wait until it finishes. This process isn't installing the Windows OS (you already have it installed).
  4. Accept the terms and conditions and select Next.
  5. Go to the Custom (advanced) option.
  6. Now, a prompt will ask you the location for the Windows installation. You will see a list of all the existing drives. Click on Drive options (advanced).
  7. Select Format among the options.
  8. Now, Windows will start the process of formatting your drive.

Solution 2 - Use System Repair Disc to Format C

Making System Repair Disc is one of your best options to format Drive C. It's an excellent way if you don't own any installation media of your OS but have a copy of Windows 7, 8, or 10. You can create your disc and use it to boot then format drive C. Follow the instructions on how you can do this:

  1. Can you open rar files with windows 10. Firstly, you have created a System Repair Disc. Do this by following these steps:

    a. Press the Start button then go to All Programs. Select Maintenance

    b.Select Create a System Repair Disc and pick the location where you want to burn this. Place the CD in the optical drive before doing this or during this step.

    c.Just follow the instructions in the process to continue.

  2. After making the disc, use it to boot. Just insert the disc in the optical drive and restart your PC. You will be shown a prompt telling you to press any key so you can boot from the CD.
  3. Wait for the installation to complete. Choose your preferred language and continue.
  4. You will be redirected to System Recovery. Select Use recovery tools… option and proceed.
  5. Go to Command Prompt. https://coppersoft.mystrikingly.com/blog/free-keno-slots-com. Enter the following command:

    format c: /fs:NTFS

    NOTE: In this command, we're formatting the drive to NTFS. You can choose a different format type.

  6. You will be asked to provide the volume level. Enter the label.
  7. Proceed to the format by typing in Y and hit Enter.
  8. Once the format is finished, enter in the Volume Label.

Solution 3 - Use Recovery Console

Recovery Console is a built-in feature in most Windows OS that allows users to fix system issues. It makes use of commands to solve the errors. You can use this using the Windows XP Setup CD and are also using Windows XP or at least have it installed on your PC. This may be the most ideal method if you're not running the newer editions of Windows.

Solution 4 - Use a Diagnostic and Repair Utility

There are plenty of diagnostic and repair utilities you can make use of. These are usually made by PC users and other companies. You may use this step if you can't get hold of new versions of Windows to make your repair discs.

Solution 5 - Use a Data Destruction Program to Delete the Drive's Data

Simply select all your files in a drive and permanently deleting them might not work. Using a data destruction program ensures you're wiping your drive of all the data it contains. This leaves you with a good-as-new drive. It may also be seen as a factory reset.

Formatting any of your PC's drives shouldn't be too tedious. It's an essential process you will do if you own a PC. With all of the solutions above, you'll surely find an effective method to format Drive C.

Video Tutorial on How to Recover Data from Formatted Hard Drive

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Summary :

What are the advantages of making external hard drive bootable? The first one is that you can use a bootable external hard drive to boot the unbootable computer. The second one is that when you don't want to use the system that comes with the computer, you can use bootable drive to boot the computer.

Quick Navigation :

Why Do You Need to Make External Hard Drive Bootable Windows 10?

There are a number of important reasons for users to make external hard drive bootable Windows 10. I have listed some reasons below. Cities: skylines green cities 2017 10 19 download free.

  • When your Windows 10 fails to boot due to system corruption, hard drive failure, or a virus attack, you can easily boot your computer using the Windows 10 bootable external hard drive you created earlier to avoid being unable to use your computer at important times.
  • If you need to use a computer, but the computer is not around, then you can use the bootable drive to start other computers and use your own operating system anytime, anywhere.

How to Make External Hard Drive Bootable Windows 10?

How to make a Windows 10 bootable external drive? There are four methods for you. And Windows provides two built-in features to make a bootable external hard drive. Another two solutions, you need to download MiniTool software to make external hard drive bootable Windows 10.

Make External Hard Drive Bootable Windows 10 with Windows To Go

Most people know that external hard drive bootable Windows 10 can be created by Windows To Go function that comes with Windows 10. Windows To Go can be used to copy all the system related files to the external hard drive so as to make it bootable. Therefore, you can plug the USB drive into your computer and start the computer from the external hard drive.

However, there are several limitations for users to use this way to make external hard drive bootable Windows 10:

  • First, to use Windows To Go, your Windows 10 must be Enterprise or Education or Professional version. (In addition, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise Edition has this feature, and other versions or operating systems do not have Windows To Go feature.)
  • Second, Windows To Go can only be run when the USB drive is certified and the storage space of it must be at least 32GB. If the USB drive does not have enough space or is not certified, Windows To Go cannot be used to create Windows bootable USB drive.

Then how to use Windows To Go to make Windows 10 bootable USB drive? The method is below.

Step 1:You need to download Windows 10 ISO file in your computer and insert a larger than 32GB certified USB drive into the computer.

Step 2: Type control panel in the search box at first and click Control Panel to continue.

Step 3: You can set view by Small icons or enter Windows To Go in the right top search box, and click Windows To Go to continue.

Step 4: Choose the drive you want to use in Create a Windows To Go workspace window. https://trutorrent.mystrikingly.com/blog/atom-io-online. Then click on it and click Next to continue.

Step 5: Click Add search location to search for the Windows 10 ISO file and choose the Windows 10 ISO image to continue.

Step 6: Choose whether to set a BitLocker password. If you want to set a password, then enter your password, but you need to type your password to unlock the drive in the future. If not, click Skip to continue.

Step 7: All the data on the USB drive will be deleted because the USB drive will be reformatted. Remember to back up important files before click Create.

Step 8: After finishing, select Yes or No to boot the computer from the new created Windows 10 bootable USB drive or not. If you want to test whether the USB drive is bootable, choose Yes and click Save and restart. If not, select No and click Save and close.

After these operations, you can make USB drive bootable Windows 10. But there are limitations that don't suit everybody. Therefore, I highly recommend you try the second method to make external hard drive bootable Windows 10.

Use MiniTool ShadowMaker to Make External Hard Drive Bootable Windows 10

MiniTool ShadowMaker is a piece of powerful and effective software to back up the operating system, disk and partitions, files and folders. What's more, you can use it to sync files and folders quickly and safely. It can also clone disk making external hard drive bootable Windows 10. So why don't you just download it and have a try?

Step 1: Please launch MiniTool ShadowMaker first, then choose Local or Remote to get the main interface by clicking Connect.

Note: If you want to manage a remote computer, computers need to be on the same LAN.

Step 2: Please click Clone Disk on the Tools page to continue.

Step 3: Please click Source to choose the clone source, then choose system disk and click Finish to continue.

Step 4: Please click Destination to select the external hard disk to save the copy and click Finish to continue.

Tip: If your external hard disk is too small, then you cannot continue.

Step 5: After you have selected the source disk and the target disk, please click OK to continue.

Step 6: Please read the warning and click Yes.

Note: Please make sure that there is no important data on the target disk because all the data will be destroyed. If there is, please back up data at first.

Step 7: Please read the information in the pop-up window carefully: If both disks are connected to the computer, one will be marked as offline. Then click Yes and Finish to finish cloning disk.

Tip: If the Remaining Time is so long that you don't want to wait, you can check Shut down the computer when the operation is completed.

After you have read the steps above, you can clearly draw that this method is much easier and more convenient than the first method. Besides, you can transfer OS from one computer to another as long as they are in the same LAN.

Make External Hard Drive Bootable Windows 10 with Windows Command Prompt

If you are good at using Command Prompt, then you can also use Command Prompt to make external hard drive bootable Windows 10. But you also need to pay attention not to enter wrong command in case that you lose data or damage system files.

There are two things you need to do to make external hard drive bootable Windows 10.

Format external hard drive

In order to make external hard drive bootable Windows 10, you need to format external hard drive at first.

Step 1: Insert the external hard drive into your computer. Type cmd in the search box and right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator to continue.

Step 2: You need to format the external hard drive first. Then type the following instructions one by one, and remember to press Enter every time after you typed instruction.

Diskpart > list disk > select disk n (n represents the drive letter of external hard drive) > clean > create partition primary > format fs=ntfs quick > assign letter=H (you can also choose other letter to assign primary partition) > exit

Copy files from a DVD to bootable USB using CMD

Above you have assigned the letter H to the external hard drive, and you have inserted a DVD inside the DVD drive to copy data from it to create a bootable USB drive. By default, the active directory of the Command Prompt's administrative permissions is located at C:WindowsSystem32>, so you need to set the DVD (G) as active directory using CMD.

Tip: Make sure that you have already inserted a DVD inside the DVD drive.

Step 1: Type G and press Enter in Command Prompt window at first, then enter cd boot and press Enter. (If the drive letter of the mounted DVD drive in the File Explorer is not G, you can change it.)

Step 2: Enter bootsect /nt60 H and press Enter. Then type exit and press Enter to close Command Prompt.

As you can see, this method is too troublesome. And if you enter the wrong instructions, your computer could get in trouble. You may even lose your data, but you can use third-party software to recover data.

Use MiniTool Partition Wizard to Make External Hard Drive Bootable Windows 10

MiniTool Partition Wizard is also a piece of efficient software for you to make external hard drive bootable Windows 10. Besides, you can convert MBR disk to GPT disk and migrate OS to SSD/HD. So come to download MiniTool Partition Wizard and have a try.

Now follow the following steps and make external hard drive bootable Windows 10.

Step 1. Please download MiniTool Partition Wizard and launch it to open its main interface to continue.

Step 2. There are two options you can choose.

Option A: Select the disk which has OS installed and right-click it, then click Copy to continue.

Option B: Please click on the Copy Disk Wizard on the left action panel and click Next to continue.

Step 3. Please choose the external hard as the target disk, and click Next, then click Yes to continue. Adobe premiere cs3 release date.

Format Hard Drive Win 10

Note: Please make sure you have backed up all important data on the target disk because the data on it will be destroyed. If you accidentally click Yes before you have backed up the data, you can use MiniTool Power Data Recovery to recover data.

Step 4. Please choose copy options and click Next to continue.

Step 5. Please read the notification on the interface and know how to use the external hard disk to boot the computer and then click Finish to continue.

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Step 6. Please click Apply to copy the operating system to the external hard disk.

Step 7. Please click Yes, then click Restart Now to copy system files to the external hard drive. After that, you can use your external hard disk to boot the computer.

This method is also much more convenient than using Windows built features. So you can also use this method to make external hard drive bootable Windows 10.

Cannot Format External Hard Drive Windows 10

Bottom Line

This article has introduced four solutions to make external hard drive bootable, which offers you different choices. But using Windows 10 built-in features not only has several limitations but also may cause data loss and operating system damaged. Using third-party software is safer and can save a lot of time for you. In addition, there are plenty of useful functions with MiniTool ShadowMaker and MiniTool Partition Wizard.

If you have any better advice or confusion, please leave comments below or send an email to [email protected].

Make External Hard Drive Bootable Windows 10 FAQ

  1. Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker, then click Connect.
  2. Click Clone Disk on the Tools page, then choose the system disk as the source and choose the external hard disk as the destination.
  3. Click OK and Yes to begin making an external hard drive bootable.
  4. Click Yes and Finish.

How To Format External Hard Drive Windows 10

If you want to make a USB drive bootable, then you should make sure that there is no important data in it because all the data will be erased. Read this post to create a bootable USB drive - How Do You Make A Bootable USB Drive – Easy Tutorial.
Can you install Windows from an external hard drive?

Format External Hard Drive Windows 10 Cmd

Of course, you can install Windows from an external hard drive. And if you want to know detailed instructions to do that, then you should read this post carefully - How to Install Windows 10 on a New Hard Drive (with Pictures).
You should create Windows 10 installation media at first, then boot your computer with the installation media. Then choose the Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method. Click Install now and then follow the instructions to finish installing.




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