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Zubair Alexander

Quick Format vs. Regular Format

What's the difference between a quick format and a regular format? I've tried both variations during setup but haven't noticed any difference. Is one preferred over the other?

by Zubair Alexander

8/22/2007 -- Regular format wipes out the files on the drive and scans the hard drive for bad sectors. That's why using the regular format takes longer; quick format doesn't check for bad sectors and is therefore quicker. Other than that, there's no visual difference or effect that's readily noticeable.

The recommendation is to run regular format when you're formatting your drive for the first time. This will ensure that the bad sectors are detected and your data will be less likely to become corrupted.

Quick format is the preferred method on drives that have been previously formatted. Even if you've performed a quick format on a partition, you can always run CHKDSK /R afterward at the command prompt to fix any possible errors.

Zubair Alexander, MCSE, MCT, MCSA and Microsoft MVP is the founder of SeattlePro Enterprises, an IT training and consulting business. His experience covers a wide range of spectrum: trainer, consultant, systems administrator, security architect, network engineer, author, technical editor, college instructor and public speaker. Zubair holds more than 25 technical certifications and Bachelor of Science degrees in Aeronautics & Astronautics Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Information Systems. His Web site, www.techgalaxy.net, is dedicated to technical resources for IT professionals. Zubair may be reached at alexander@techgalaxy.net.

More articles by Zubair Alexander:
FrontPage Server Extensions on 64-bit Windows Server 2008

Synching Outlook 2007 Contacts with SharePoint

Saving SharePoint Files to the Server

Moving, Deleting a File That's Always in Use

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