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3 Best Ways to Fix Windows Was Unable to Complete the Format Error
Formatting storage devices can eliminate corrupt files and unwanted data. On Windows, it’s a straightforward process with multiple methods. However, there may be hiccups during formatting. This tutorial will explain why Windows fails to format storage disks and how to resolve the error.
In most cases, the problem is with the disk/drive you’re trying to format. You may encounter the ‘Windows was unable to complete the format’ error if the drive is physically damaged or write-protected. Virus infection can also cause this error. Follow the steps below to address this issue and format your drive. Additionally, try formatting the drive on another computer to determine if the problem is with the drive or your PC.
1. Check for System Error
In addition, certain errors may prevent your PC from formatting a drive, resulting in the ‘Windows was unable to complete the format’ error. Fortunately, the Windows operating system includes a built-in Error Checking tool that can diagnose and repair errors on internal and external disks. Use the tool to check the affected drive and then try reformatting it.
Step 1: Launch Windows File Explorer (Windows key + E) and go to This PC.
Step 2: Right-click the affected drive and select Properties.
Step 3: Navigate to the Tools tab and click the Check button in the Error Checking section.
Note: You need to be an administrator to run the Error Checking tool.
Step 4: Your PC might notify you that the drive doesn’t need to be scanned because the tool hasn’t found any errors. Ignore the prompt and click ‘Scan and repair drive’ to proceed.
If the Error Checking tool found any error, follow the prompt to repair it. You’ll most likely be asked to restart your computer afterward. Just follow the instructions and the errors preventing the drive from being formatted should be squashed. If no errors were found, close the tool and proceed to the next solution.
2. Format Drive Using Disk Management Tool
The Disk Management Tool is a better option for formatting disks on Windows. Users who couldn’t format their drives directly from the File Manager could do so using the Disk Management Tool.
Step 1: Launch the Windows File Explorer and click Manage in the Ribbon bar.
That will open the Windows Computer Management menu.
Step 2: Expand the Storage option on the left-hand pane and click Disk Management. Quick Tip: Swiftly launch Disk Management from the Windows Quick Access menu. Use the Windows key + X shortcut and select Disk Management. Step 3: Right-click the affected drive and select Format.
Step 4: Click Yes to proceed.
Step 5: Rename the drive if desired. Leave other options as is and click OK to continue.
Step 6: Click OK to begin formatting the disk.
The drive will be instantly formatted. Check the drive in File Explorer or its properties to confirm. If the error continues, check the drive’s write protection/permission.
3. Disable Write-Protection on Drive
You might encounter the ‘Windows was unable to complete the format’ error if the drive you’re formatting is write-protected. When a disk is write-protected, you cannot modify (copy, delete, or format) any data. Certain SD cards and thumb drives have write-protection switches/buttons that enable and disable their write-protection.
If your USB drive doesn’t have a physical switch for modifying write-protection, you can use the DiskPart utility to disable it. Here’s how:
1. Launch the Run box using the ‘Windows key + R’ shortcut.
2. If prompted, grant the utility User Control Access.
3. Type “diskpart” into the Open dialog box and click OK.
4. Type “list disk” and hit Enter.
5. Locate the affected drive using its size. In this case, the 14GB USB pen drive labeled Disk 2 is the affected drive.
Step 4: Type select followed by the drive’s label and hit Enter. If the affected drive is labeled as Disk 3 on your PC, type select disk 3 and hit Enter.
You will see a message confirming that the disk has been selected.
Step 5: To view the disk properties, type attributes disk and hit Enter.
Check for the ‘Current Read-only State’ and Read-only attributes. If set to No, then the drive isn’t write-protected.
If they both read Yes, then the drive is write-protected. Proceed to step #6 to remove the drive’s write protection.
Step 6: Type attributes disk clear readonly and hit Enter.
To clear the disk’s write-protection, type the command in step #5 to confirm write-protection has been disabled. Now, try formatting the File Explorer drive or using the Disk Management tool (see method #2) and see if it works.
Explore Third-Party Alternatives
Instead of using Windows built-in tools to format drives (hard disk, USB drives, SD cards, etc.), reliable third-party software can do the job just as well, and even faster. Consider these alternatives if necessary. Check out 6 ways to fix and recover corrupted files and folders on Windows 10 computers in the post linked below. We also share a simple way to prevent it from happening again.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
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