It is usual that let's use an external hard drive with our computer with Windows 10. An additional storage unit in which to have a copy of our files, in case something happens with the computer. Although it is possible that after a while we do not want to use this unit anymore or that we want to sell it. In that case, formatting it is a good option.
Many people don't know the way that we can format an external drive in Windows 10. Below we show you the various ways that exist for this, since we have certain methods to choose from. In this way, you can find one that fits you.
Windows 10 File Explorer
The best known method and the one we use the most on our Windows 10 computer, since it is the most comfortable option. We are going to connect said external hard drive to the computer and in this way, it will be possible for us to carry out the aforementioned formatting directly in file explorer. This is something that allows this process to take a short time.
When we have connected said external hard drive to the computer, we open the file explorer. We will then have to go to the section of This Equipment. In previous versions of the operating system the process is the same, except that This Computer is usually called My Computer, but the steps do not change. So, when we are in that section we will see the storage units that are available, including the disk that we have connected.
Next, we right click on this unit (we have to make sure it is the correct one). A contextual menu will then appear on the screen. From the options that are in it, we select Format. Windows 10 will ask us if we are sure of what we want to do. As we want to format this external hard drive, we accept.
Then a new window appears, in which to configure how we want to format the external hard drive in question. The quick format option may be convenient, because it will take less time. When we have already chosen everything as we want it, we give it to accept and the formatting of this unit will then begin. We just have to wait for the process to complete.
Applications to format an external hard drive
For some users this process is not comfortable or they want a somewhat different format. In that case, always we can resort to applications that we download in Windows 10. Thanks to them it will be possible to format an external hard drive in a simple way, without having to do too much. In addition, many of these applications give us some additional functions, which may be of interest to users.
The selection of applications in this sense is very varied. The manufacturers of external hard drives themselves usually give some applications, which we can install on the computer. In addition, we have applications that are known, such as Eraser or CCleaner, among many others, that give us these types of functions as well. So the selection is wide and in general all of them work correctly.
Formatting an external hard drive will be easier in this case. In addition, a detail that is also important is that these types of applications can be downloaded for free in Windows 10. Therefore, it will be possible to carry out this task at all times, without having to pay money for them. If you have a program on your computer to format drives, like the ones you have on your own computer, you can normally use them with an external drive as well. So you will not have problems in this regard with this function.
Therefore, either of these two methods will it will be of help when you want to format an external hard drive on your Windows 10 computer. A good way to erase all the data on that external drive without complications and in a matter of a few minutes. What method do you prefer to use in this particular process?