How to format a new external hard drive windows 10

Formatting a new external hard drive on Windows 10 is a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Before you start:

Make sure you have backed up any important data on the external hard drive, as formatting will erase all data on the drive.
Connect the external hard drive to your Windows 10 computer.

Method 1: Format using File Explorer

Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
In the File Explorer window, navigate to the external hard drive (it may be listed under "This PC" or "Devices with removable storage").
Right-click on the external hard drive and select "Format".
In the Format dialog box, select the file system you want to use (e.g., NTFS, FAT32, exFAT).
Choose a volume label (optional).
Select the "Quick Format" option (recommended).
Click "Start" to begin the formatting process.

Method 2: Format using Disk Management

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type "diskmgmt.msc" and press Enter to open Disk Management.
In the Disk Management window, find the external hard drive in the list of disks.
Right-click on the external hard drive and select "Format".
Follow the same steps as in Method 1 to complete the formatting process.

Additional tips:

If you're formatting a drive that's larger than 32 GB, you may need to use the NTFS file system.
If you're formatting a drive that you plan to use with both Windows and macOS, you may want to use the exFAT file system.
If you're formatting a drive that you plan to use with older devices or operating systems, you may want to use the FAT32 file system.
After formatting, you may need to reinstall any software or drivers that were previously installed on the drive.

Verification:

After formatting, you can verify that the drive is properly formatted by:

Remember to always back up your data regularly to prevent loss in case something goes wrong.