Vista FULL Clean Install - Full Format or is it quick?

Question

I noticed that when I do a Vista Clean install, delete all my partitions and create one, when I choose Format, it formats my 100GB hard drive in under a minute. Windows XP took about 10-15 for a 100GB. I called Microsoft to verify that the format is a full format and they said it is. How can Vista possibly format a huge drive this fast??

ATC7 · Answer

I'm pretty sure it's quick format not full. It's impossible to do a full format of an 80-100GB drive in 20 seconds which is the time it takes in Vista.

msreardon4 · Answer

It is a quick a full one would take about 30 min to an hour depending on how much stuff is on the drive

i8000_coastal · Answer

Well Microsoft doesnt seem to think its a quick format. He is like Vista is smart... it takes it shorter with Vista for a FULL format.... I was like riiiiiggghhhttt. Anyone know how to force Vista to do a FULL format in the clean install? Any ideas?

Message Edited by i8000_coastal on 02-09-2007 07:30 PM

jtzako · Answer

The version of NTFS Vista uses is more efficient than the one XP uses. If you have noticed, every new 'file system' takes less time to format than previous ones. When you do the install of Vista you get a choice of 'advanced' options on the drive selection screen. You can choose to format from there and the default is a 'full format' but you can also choose 'quick.' In any case, with NTFS there is no real reason to worry about 'quick format' vs 'full format' since it doesnt have the same issues with corruption that older fat32/16 did.

i8000_coastal · Answer

I did choose Advanced, otherwise the format button will not be revealed. Didn't see any option for FULL format or Quick format. I just chose the partition I wanted formatted and clicked format. It did something for like 30 seconds to a minute, and boom it was done.

Message Edited by i8000_coastal on 02-10-2007 08:50 AM

ATC7 · Answer

jtzako wrote: The version of NTFS Vista uses is more efficient than the one XP uses. If you have noticed, every new 'file system' takes less time to format than previous ones. When you do the install of Vista you get a choice of 'advanced' options on the drive selection screen. You can choose to format from there and the default is a 'full format' but you can also choose 'quick.' In any case, with NTFS there is no real reason to worry about 'quick format' vs 'full format' since it doesnt have the same issues with corruption that older fat32/16 did. Just an FYI; Vista does NOT give you the option for a full format, just one option and it's quick format (unlike XP).

i8000_coastal · Answer

I guess you could run XPs setup and run the FULL format. Then Run Vista setup right after the XP format and install Vista. That is retarted though that you have to use a previous OS just for a FULL format.

msreardon4 · Answer

or another option is you could download a Boot and Nuke disc to do a complete format

Windows General

Vista FULL Clean Install - Full Format or is it quick?

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