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Disk formatting is a tedious process that nobody enjoys. Sometimes, that's the only way to get the job done. Because there are so many options, formatting is not a simple task. If you're having trouble booting into Windows, you can try formatting the disk using the device manager.

In these circumstances, BIOS formatting is your only option. The Basic Input/Output System is a crucial aspect of your computer; it is the software stored in the computer's programmable read-only memory chip that the microprocessor can access.

When you power up your computer, the BIOS checks to ensure all its peripherals are installed and functioning properly. It also begins the process of copying the operating system from the hard disk into the RAM of your machine. It's important to note that the BIOS can only identify and boot from the hard disk.

wipe hard drive from BIOS

It's also important to remember that formatting the disk will wipe out all of its information, including the operating system. Data loss may be avoided by creating a backup copy of your files before starting from a bootable disk. That being said, let's examine the BIOS hard drive formatting options.

How to Wipe Hard Drive from BIOS?

If your PC doesn't have an installation disk, you may require a media creation program to delete everything on your hard drive. It allows you to make USB drives or CDs/DVDs that can be booted. Then, you may go over the following options for wiping a hard disk and their respective procedures and decide which one is best for you.

METHOD 1: Wipe Hard Drive from BIOS Via Command Prompt.

You may use the Command Prompt to format the system partition if you have Windows installation discs. It only takes a few short instructions to format it correctly. However, locating the system partition in Command Prompt can be more involved. To learn more, please refer to the instructions provided below.

STEP 1: Ensure this disk is selected in BIOS to boot from so the installation may begin.

STEP 2: Following the successful loading of Windows Setup, you will be greeted by the Windows Setup window. Language, Time, Date Format, and Keyboard are all user-selectable options in this window; after you're done, click the Next button to proceed.

STEP 3: Select Computer Repair from the menu. Then select Troubleshoot from the list of available choices.

STEP 4: Once you go to the page's advanced settings, select Command Prompt to launch it.

wipe hard drive from BIOS

STEP 5: Look for the system partition, which might be displayed with a different drive letter than "C" above. Put each of the following instructions into the search bar, and press Enter after each one:

1. list volume
2. diskpart
3. dir F:
4. exit

STEP 6: Locate the partition that contains the operating system, then type format F: /fs:ntfs and hit Enter to convert it to NTFS. Because of its greater reliability and superior security, the NTFS file system is typically recommended for formatting the system partition.

STEP 7: When prompted that all data on the specified disk will be erased during formatting, typing Y and pressing Enter will continue the process. At this point, all that remains is to wait for the process to conclude.

METHOD 2:

Changing the boot order in the BIOS is the first step if you want to format the hard disk from the operating system. Insert the Windows installation disk you made into your computer, then turn it on. Press the "BIOS" button to enter the system's setup menu.

wipe hard drive from BIOS

It's not uniform across all personal computers. Keyboard shortcuts may be used to navigate the BIOS and get to the Boot section, where the boot order can be modified. Set the disk or drive on which Windows was installed as the primary device.

Restart the machine after rearranging the boot entries. Learn how to format a hard disk in the BIOS before beginning Windows setup.

STEP 1: As the computer restarts, the Windows Setup wizard will load. Select the "Install Now" option in this window.

STEP 2: To proceed with a custom installation, please fill out the following windows and choose the corresponding button.

STEP 3: When you click the "Show all partitions" button, a list of all available partitions will appear. Choose the disk, partition, or both you wish to format, then click the format button. Now, please proceed by selecting the "Next" option.

STEP 4: Accept the warning by clicking the "OK" button. It is about formatting your drive.

Permanently Erase Data on Windows

Whether you format a hard drive or delete all data from a hard drive, the lost files can be recovered by data recovery software. Check guide: how to recover deleted/lost files >>

Before you sell or donate your computer, you’d better permanently erase your sensitive data. DoYourData Super Eraser is a powerful data erasure program. It can help you securely and permanently erase data from Windows PC, HDD, SSD, memory card, digital camera, USB flash drive, etc.

DoYourData Super Eraser

  • Three data erasure modes.
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With advanced data erasure technology, it can help you permanently erase your data and make data recovery be impossible. It offers three data erasure modes.

Erase Files - permanently erase files and folders.

Wipe Hard Drive - wipe a hard drive to permanently erase all data on the hard drive.

Wipe Free Space - wipe free disk space of the hard drive to erase all deleted/lost data on the hard drive.

Permanently Erase Data on Windows

Note: once the data is erased by DoYourData Super Eraser, the erased data is gone forever, and can’t be recovered by any method.

Conclusion:

Reinstalling Windows requires periodic hard disk formatting. The settings must be modified within the BIOS menu to permit a disk-based startup to format the drive. After booting from the disk, you'll be prompted to ask if you wish to reformat the drive. Since there are no in-BIOS options for formatting, you'll need to boot from a Windows disk to get things done.

DoYourData Author

Written & Updated by Shirly Chen

Shirly Chen has been writing data recovery, data erasure articles for DoYourData over 4 years. She has been working as a professional website content writer & editor for quite a long time. She also writes articles about disk clone, Mac optimization, disk backup, etc.

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