make external hard drive read only windows 7

If you have documents, music, photos saved elsewhere on computer then make sure you have copied all stuff before formatting. Most external hard devices come with backup software that will make process much easier to do. Technically, it is the process of writing a new directory structure which allows the documents and files to be overwritten and create space for the new data.īefore formatting external hard drives, backup all important data that you are going to format. Low level formatting is the first process of wiping out data and existing files in the hard disk devices and at the high level, a new file system is generated. Formatting may take few hours to wipe out the existing data, but the process can be hassle-free if you get to know about stepwise instructions of how to format an external hard drive. Formatting can be performed at two stages: low level and high level process. What is External Hard Drive Formatting Process?įormatting external hard drives is a process of deleting or erasing the memory chunks to avail the space for new data. If you are looking for new operating system or selling your old computers or laptops, then you need to set up an external hard drive for backups by erasing and formatting the existing data in the storage devices. These are attached to systems through FireWire or USB connection or wirelessly to transfer data from the internal drive to hard disk drives. Part 1 Formatting a Hard Drive and File System Process:Įxternal hard drives are the storage devices used to store and retrieve digital information, personal and official data like files, documents and other stuff.

Make external hard drive read only windows 7