You Cannot Format 720 KB Floppy Disks in Windows XP (302113)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
This article was previously published under Q302113

SYMPTOMS

The option to format a floppy disk to the capacity of 720 kilobytes (KB) is missing in the Format 3 1/2 Floppy dialog box. Attempting to format a floppy disk to a capacity of 720 KB by using the format command-line utility produces the following error:
Invalid parameter /F:720

CAUSE

The ability to format floppy disks to a capacity of 720 KB is not present in Windows XP. Windows XP only supports the formatting of floppies to 1.44 megabytes (MB).

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

720 KB formatted floppies can still be read by Windows XP.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/13/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB302113
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