Windows 10: Formatting/partitioning an external HDD

HiI have a USB 3TByte HDD that is somewhat older. DIsk Management 'Datenträgerverwaltung displays it as two different drives #7 and 8. I wonder how to merge these into one single drive. I tried everthing using Disk Management, but I get an error message, see screenshots. Thanks for any helpful hints!CheersRobert

:)

 

External HDD needs format

Hi there @menu

from Windows command mode

1) Diskpart
2) list Disk
3) select disk <disk4> I think it would be in your case
4) clean
5) convert gpt (optional step but I prefer gpt HDD's these days even just for data disks)
6) create partition primary
7) format fs=ntfs quick
8) assign
9) exit

now you should have HDD ready for use and assigned a disk letter.

you don't need to create an efi partition for this disk either.

Cheers
jimbo

 

HDD partitions format

Used a tool from the list and it worked..
Install won't start if windows can't recognize the partitions.

 

Format an external Drive.

Hello Roger,

Thank you for posting your concern in Microsoft Community and welcome to the Windows 10 Family.

I would suggest you to follow the below steps to format the drive you are referring to.

• Right Click on Start menu and select Open Computer Management.
  
• 
  In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management.
  
• 
  Right-click the volume that you want to format, and then click Format.
  
• 
  To format the volume with the default settings, in the Format dialog box, click
  OK, and then click OK again.
  

Note: You cannot format a disk or partition that is currently in use, including the partition that contains Windows.

Hope it helps.

Thank you.