Differences between a Quick format and a regular format during a "clean" installation of Windows XP (302686)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
This article was previously published under Q302686 SUMMARY During a "clean" installation of Microsoft Windows XP, you
are prompted to choose from the following format options:
- Format the partition by using the NTFS file system
(Quick)
- Format the partition by using the FAT file system
(Quick)
- Format the partition by using the NTFS file
system
- Format the partition by using the FAT file
system
- Leave the current file system intact (no
changes)
This article describes the differences between a Quick format
and a regular format. MORE INFORMATION When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files
are removed from the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is
scanned for bad sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for the
majority of the time that it takes to format a volume.
If you choose
the Quick format option, format removes files from the partition, but does not
scan the disk for bad sectors. Only use this option if your hard disk has been
previously formatted and you are sure that your hard disk is not
damaged.
If you installed Windows XP on a partition that was
formatted by using the Quick format option, you can also check your disk by
using the chkdsk /r command after the installation of
Windows XP is completed.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 5/19/2004 |
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| Keywords: | kbenv kbinfo kbsetup KB302686 |
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