

For example, if you’re trying to format the E: drive in the FAT32 system, you need to change the command to “format E: /fs:FAT32”. However, this might not be the command you need to enter. Instructions: In this case, we’re formatting the C: drive with the ntfs file system. Once done, hit Enter to execute it: format C: /fs:ntfs Type in the following command then adjusts it accordingly to the instructions below.If you don’t have administrative permissions, you might need to ask for help from your admin. If prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the Command Prompt to make changes on your device.Doing so, you’re launching the Command Prompt with administrative permissions. Type in “ cmd ” and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys on your keyboard.This is going to bring up the Run utility.
QUICK DISK FORMAT VS REGULAR WINDOWS

You can attempt to format a drive using the command prompt. if any malicious files are found on the drive, you can remove them with the help of Windows Defender.Īfter completing the virus scan, see if the “Windows was unable to complete the format” error still occurs.

“Windows was unable to complete the format” error solutionĭepending on your issue, the methods below can fix the error. These are only some of the common issues that could cause “Windows was unable to complete the format.” Your drive could be suffering from a unique case that’s not listed here - if this is what’s going on, we urge you to try the methods below or get in touch with Microsoft’s Customer Service agents. If there’s no space occupied, it can’t be broken down into partitions. This is because the formatting is based on partitions, as opposed to disk space. Windows is unable to format an empty drive. If your drive is currently infected with malware, it could be put out of service by the attacker. Some attackers often target USB sticks to spread malware.

If this is the case, you may consider purchasing a new drive as a replacement. Even if no direct damage is visible on the drive itself, it could be suffering from several internal damages. Not all drives can withstand the test of time. Remove the write-protection or use another disk.” then this is the most likely reason. You can easily test this by trying to copy something onto the drive. If you or another person applied write protection to the drive, you may not be able to format it, leading to the error. In rare cases, even malware can cause this error, especially if it’s on the drive itself. Most of the time, it is either related to poor system configuration, or an issue with your drive. There can be multiple different causes for this error. What causes the “Windows was unable to complete the format” error?
