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It is frequent that let's use an external hard drive with our PC with Windows 10. An additional storage unit in which to have a copy of our files, in case something happens with the PC. Even though 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. Here we explain the various ways that exist for this, since we have certain methods to select from. Therefore, you can find one that suits 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 PC and from this dynamic it will be possible for us to carry out the aforementioned. format directly in file explorer. This is something that makes this procedure take little time.
When we have connected said external hard drive to the PC, we open the file explorer. Then we will have to go to the This Equipment section. In previous versions of the operating system the procedure is the same, except that This computer is generally 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.
A continuación, hacemos clic derecho sobre esta unidad (tenemos que asegurarnos de que be la correcta). A continuación, aparecerá un menú contextual en la pantalla. From the alternatives that exist in it, we select Format. Windows 10 will ask us if we are sure of what we intend to do. As we intend to format this external hard drive, we accept.
Then a new window appears, in which to configure how do we intend to format the external hard drive in question. The quick format option can be convenient, as it will take less time. When we have chosen everything as we intend, we accept it and then the formatting of this unit will begin. We just have to wait for the procedure to complete.
Applications to format an external hard drive
For some users this procedure is not comfortable or they want a somewhat different format. In that case, always we can resort to applications that we downloaded 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. At the same time, many of these applications provide us with 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 PC. At the same time, we have applications that are recognized, such as Eraser or CCleaner, among many others, which also give us these types of functions. So the selection is wide and in general they all work correctly.
Formatting an external hard drive will be easier in this case. At the same time, a detail that is also essential 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, such as the ones you have on your own computer, you can regularly also use them with an external drive. Therefore you will not have problems in this regard with this functionality.
Hence, either of these two methods It will help you when you want to format an external hard drive on your Windows 10 computer. A good way to remove all the data on that external drive without complications and in a matter of minutes. Which method do you prefer to use in this particular procedure?
