Question Is a full format recommended on a new external drive?

[MutantMike]

It is a WD Elements 20 TB

It will have all my video that I stream, very prized stuff, for me at least


I have read about some using "badblock" but honestly all my 2-5 TB drives I have had for 12 years I always did a quick format

 

[USAFRet]

It is a WD Elements 20 TB

It will have all my video that I stream, very prized stuff, for me at least


I have read about some using "badblock" but honestly all my 2-5 TB drives I have had for 12 years I always did a quick format

Not necessarily.

The main thing you want to do is have an actual backup.
1 or more other copies.

 

[hotaru.hino]

For a new drive no. While a full format includes scanning the hard drive for bad sectors, you can do that anyway separate from the formatting process if you really want to do that.