[SOLVED] When formatting a drive

[nbartolo7]

that had an OS before and currently still has it, to be sure that nothing is left, is it better to do a non-quick format, or quick is fine?

Also, is it true that "allocation unit size" option should always be switched to "default allocation size" before formatting? Why is that important?

 

[USAFRet]

that had an OS before and currently still has it, to be sure that nothing is left, is it better to do a non-quick format, or quick is fine?

Also, is it true that "allocation unit size" option should always be switched to "default allocation size" before formatting? Why is that important?

With a former OS drive, you should delete all partitions in Disk Management.
Not simply a "format" within File Explorer.

Or, commandline function diskpart, and the clean command.

 

[nbartolo7]

With a former OS drive, you should delete all partitions in Disk Management.
Not simply a "format" within File Explorer.

Or, commandline function diskpart, and the clean command.

Thanks. What about the second part of the question?

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks. What about the second part of the question?

Yes, leave it at "default".

 

[nbartolo7]

With a former OS drive, you should delete all partitions in Disk Management.
Not simply a "format" within File Explorer.

Or, commandline function diskpart, and the clean command.

I did all that. But then, when doing new simple volume to reactivate the drive, should I choose quick format or uncheck it? Since it was previously an OS drive, maybe I should do a thorough format?

 

[USAFRet]

I did all that. But then, when doing new simple volume to reactivate the drive, should I choose quick format or uncheck it? Since it was previously an OS drive, maybe I should do a thorough format?

Quick format is just fine.

 

[TerryLaze]

that had an OS before and currently still has it, to be sure that nothing is left, is it better to do a non-quick format, or quick is fine?

Also, is it true that "allocation unit size" option should always be switched to "default allocation size" before formatting? Why is that important?

If you are going to sell or give away the drive and are worried that your data is going to be retrieved then you have to run something like dban, which wipes any hdd on your system so be careful and remove any other drive you might have.
Or from within windows you can run CCleaner and use the wipe free space option on the hdd you want to erase it defaults to 3 times overwrite I think which is the standard for governments but 1 time is enough if it's just for trivial data, it will take a long time because it will write to every part of your drive.

 

[nbartolo7]

which is the standard for governments

lol, how come you know that? Work in the government?

 

[TerryLaze]

lol, how come you know that? Work in the government?

Nah, if you read about it in the help files of such tools that is what they are telling you.

 

[nbartolo7]

Nah, if you read about it in the help files of such tools that is what they are telling you.

 

[USAFRet]

If you're keeping the drive for your use, quick format.

If you're selling it, DBAN (HDD) or Secure Erase (SSD).