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Windows Cannot Format this Drive: How to Fix & Main Causes
Surefire ways to force the format process through
2 min. read
Updated onJanuary 18, 2024
updated onJanuary 18, 2024
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Key notes
No operating system is not free of quirks, and sometimes when your machine is slow, you may try to resolve the problem byformatting your hard disk. However, users sometimes get a Windows cannot format this drive prompt when trying to format their device.
This error can make you clueless about the next line of action. Thankfully, this issue can be fixed with a few tweaks, as shown in this guide.
How can I fix the Windows cannot format this drive, quit any disk utilities error?
1. Use the Diskpartcommand
One of the quickest methods to fix the Windows cannot format this drive error is to force the process through using the DiskPart command.
If you have a preferred file system you want to format your drive to, you can use the fs switch with the format command. An example isformat fs=ntfs quick.
2. Hard Format using Disk Management
Another effective solution to try if you are getting Windows cannot format this drive error is to use the Disk Management feature to complete the process.
With this second fix, we can conclude this guide. We believe you now have everything to fix. Windows cannot format this drive error.
If the solutions above fail to fix this issue, you must check your drive for physical damage. You can alsocheck and fix bad sectors on your PC.
It might also help to read our guide onhow to format an NVMe SSD on Windows 11orconvert exFAT to FAT32.
Feel free to let us know in the comments below the solution that helped you fix this issue.
More about the topics:disk drive
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
