What is the Hard Drive Format?
In this article, we will discuss the issue of the hard format in detail. Formatting the hard drive is not a very good idea. Still, if the saved information is unimportant, it can be a good solution to solve the problems that arise in the hard drive so that the external hard drive format solves the software problems in the hard drive well. There are many reasons for hard formattings, such as cleaning windows, getting rid of viruses and malware, or hard formatting to sell. Hard drive format is the process of deleting all the information on the hard drive.
Types of hard drive formats
To understand the hard format, it is better first to get acquainted with the types of hard format, which are:
Fatima format (file allocation table) or fat16
It is one of the types of hard format known for allocating files and is considered the oldest operating system. This type of hard drive format started in 1980, and according to the area of fewer than 2 gigs, who was relied on for the partition, and 64kbs cluster was used, which was developed in 1995, and for an area of more than two gigs, 16kbs is used for the cluster. Became. This format was introduced by the MS-DOS operating system in 1981 and is still used today. First, the fat or fat16 format was designed to manage and record information on floppy disks, and after some time, it was implemented on the hard disk. The fat system is compatible with all Windows 95, 98, 2000, and Windows XP versions.
fat32 format
It is a type of hard format that is an evolution of the fat16 format and was presented along with windows server 95 (service pack 2) to solve the problems related to the fat16 format. Hard format fat32 can cover partitions from 2 to 32 gigs and a 16 Kbs cluster, which requires more hiding and security and is more qualified for flash drives.
NTFS or (New Technology File System) hard drive format
Microsoft created a new file system that supports a 64-bit structure due to the inability to define file and folder access permission levels. Among the features of this type of hard format, we can mention the possibility of storing more than 4G and unlimited files. It is the best option for installing the Windows operating system and the possibility of saving and recovering lost files. Also It does not work on old systems and only supports the windows XP pro version. It should be noted that converting the NTFS format to fat is impossible.
exFAT format
This format was created in 2006, added to the old updated versions of Windows, and has NTFS and fat32 features. The exFAT format is a system optimization format for flash divers. The disadvantage of this format is that it does not support Xbox 360, but it supports Xbox one and plays station 4.
ReFS (Resilient File System)
is a resilient file system designed by NTFS codes? This type of hard format was presented in win eight and windows server 2012. One of the features of this type of hard format is the lack of support for NTFS, file compression, and encrypted file system. If both hard drives are mirrored, part of the memory becomes faulty, and data is lost, Windows will easily notice it and read and replace the mirrored drive. This feature can be seen in Windows 10 and 8.1.
Hard format computer methods
In general, computer hard format methods are done in two ways: one hard format with the possibility of recovery and the other hard format without the possibility of recovery. The best way to format a hard drive with the possibility of recovery is to format the drives. As you know, it is possible to format the entire drive except for the drive where the operating system is located. The process of hard disk format is generally called F-Disk. It is enough to format the hard disk using bootable software.
Some methods of hard drive format with the possibility of recovery are as follows, which we will briefly explain below:
Hard format with the Windows installation package: it is enough to boot the system with the installation package (DVD or USB). Before performing the Windows installation process, an environment will appear for the user where you can format your drives. Of course, it is better to use other software such as Acronis than tools for partitioning.
Hard disk format using Acronis Disk Director software: Acronis Disk Director software is one of the best for hard disk formatting and re-partitioning. This software has unique features such as file system change, integration, etc. This software has two versions Windows and Bootable. For Hard format, you should use its bootable version.
Hard format using Partition Magic software: Partition Magic software is also one of the best hard format software, but it is not recommended due to the lack of support for new disks and updates. However, it is still used for old systems and can be used if needed.
Now, some of the ways to format the hard drive without the possibility of recovery are:
Hard format using DBAN software: DBAN software is one of the best software for the hard format without the possibility of recovery. After installing the software and running the ISO file, turn it into a bootable CD, DVD, or USB, boot the system with it, and proceed to hard format. The way to use this software is very simple, and it is done by just typing the actonuke command in the program.
Formatting and re-partitioning the hard drive: Also One of the good ways to format the hard drive and minimize the possibility of data recovery is to completely partition the hard drive three times or more and format the drives.
Encrypting drives and formatting them: After encrypting your drive, you can format it. It should be noted that this method does not completely prevent data recovery.
Destroying the hard drive: If the user’s information is very important and confidential, after formatting the hard drive, it is suggested to destroy it with a nail or a hammer so that it cannot be used in any way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hard drive format?
Formatting the hard drive is the process of deleting all the data on the hard drive.
What are the reasons for formatting the hard drive?
There are many reasons for formatting the hard drive, such as cleaning windows, getting rid of viruses and malware, or formatting the hard drive to sell it.
Name the types of hard drive format?
Types of hard disk formats are: fat or fat16, fat32, NTFS, exFAT, and ReFS
