Format....too short of time ?

[Mike13]

When I did the "Clean" install to Windows 10, I chose to FORMAT at the beginning of the installation. It took about 5 seconds or less. How could a 500 Gig hard drive be formatted in 5 seconds ?? It takes much longer to format a 8 Gig flash drive I have. ?? Thanks, Mike

 

[Saltgrass]

A quick format is called that for exactly that reason. A full format may take an hour or more, depending on the size of the drive. The data on the drive is not erased, just the format information.

 

[Mike13]

Thanks Saltgrass for the reply. So, can I assume that if there were a virus or malware on the hard drive. it may still be there after a Quick format. Mike

 

[Saltgrass]

Since any reference to files associated with a virus would be eliminated, I would think the virus would be eliminated. But someone else may have more information.

 

[ram1220]

If you had a virus on the HDD it would be best if you did a regular format and not a quick format.

 

[Mike13]

Saltgrass and ram1220....Thanks for the reply. When I decide to reinstall Windows 10, I will nuke the HDD before the install. Thanks again, Mike