Quick format vs full format

Question

When formatting a drive as ntfs for a windows XP install, you have an option to choose between a "quick" format and complete format.

What is the difference between the two (aside from how long it takes to complete)?

score 10 · Accepted Answer · answered May 21 '09 at 15:16

10

Basically, quick format doesn't do a scan of the disk to check for bad sectors.

Here's a MS article on the topic.

answered May 21 '09 at 15:16

squillman

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So, assuming the disk has to check for bad sectors on any read/write anyway, you're not going to lose any system performance by doing a quick format? – Joel Coel May 22 '09 at 13:34
Link is dead... – Neonit Feb 24 '20 at 13:16

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered May 21 '09 at 16:17

Inasmuch as the term "format" has been badly misused in modern times, a "quick" format simply creates an empty directory structure which renders the disk "empty" for all intents and purposes. Linux has the more appropriately named mkfs (make file system) command for the same purpose.

The "complete" format erases every sector on the disk and checks for bad blocks in the process. Hence, the long run time.

Modern disks have firmware that checks for bad blocks and relocates them automatically. This makes it unlikely that the old-style "scan for bad blocks" will ever turn up anything.

Quick format vs full format

2 Answers2