Files & Folders:
Removable Media

All storage media must be formatted before you can store data on them. Removable media, like floppy disks, writable CD and DVD disks, USB flash devices, and zip disks, are normally formatted at the factory, but you may find an unformatted one from time to time. A new hard disk or tape may not be pre-formatted.

A full format does three things:

Sets up the physical locations to be ready for recording.
Sets up a system for keeping track of what is stored where.
Checks the storage device for physical and magnetic or electronic errors.

A quick format skips the check for errors, so it is a much faster process. You can quick format a disk only if it was already formatted. When you suspect there may be a problem with a disk, you will have to do a full format to find out. Be cautious about using quick formats since you will be skipping an important safety check.

Data Security: Formatting a disk "erases" the address tables, so you will not see your files listed any more. The data may still be recoverable using data recovery software. If you have sensitive data on your disks, you have two choices: Use data "shredding" software to truly erase the data or else physically destroy the disk.

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Glossary

Formatting Disks

Capacity: Any time you format a disk, you must specify its capacity, that is, how much data it will be able to hold. This sets technical things about how to storage data on the disk. Fortunately you don't have to know all the technical numbers! It's now an automatic process. Your 3½" floppy disks almost certainly have a capacity of 1.44 MB. For other kinds of removable media, you will have to check the label for its capacity, but the Format dialog will usually show the correct capacity.

Make System Disk? A system disk has on it the files needed to get the computer started. This makes it a bootable disk. It is important to have at least one bootable removable device available for those horrible situations when your computer refuses to boot normally. Your computer must support booting from the type of disk that you want to use. Not all will accept booting from a USB device, for example. The drive must support being a bootable drive. Not all will!

Do not format a hard disk unless you really, really, really know what you are doing. It "erases" EVERYTHING. You will have to reinstall your operating system and all programs. All data files will be gone! Data recovery services may be able to get back your "erased" files, but there is no guarantee. And it can be VERY, VERY expensive!

Write Protection

Floppy disk - open holes Most removable media has a way to keep you from writing to it accidentally, as a safety measure.

A 3½" floppy disk has two holes at the top. One has a slide which can open or close the hole. This is the write-protect slide. To write on a floppy disk, and thus to format one, the write-protect slide must be closed.

Write protect switch on USB drive Other kinds of disks may have a teeny, tiny switch for this function. You may need to use the end of a paper clip to move the switch. The photo is an enlarged view of a USB flash drive.