You can learn what is the low-level format and how to protect data security before formatting as well as how to perform low-level format in Windows 11. Keep reading for more details.
Low-level formatting is the next step up from standard formatting. In a standard format, the data is simply erased and you can always restore it using any recovery software. However, if you want to completely destroy data and prevent data leakage, low-level formatting is your best choice.
A low-level format starts by formatting the disk drive. It then packs the remaining space with a zero value, causing the data to be permanently deleted. In this case, after your data is deleted, others cannot access or recover it. On this page, we will show you how to do low-level format in Windows 11 with Diskpart, a command-line utility used to manage hard disk partitions and volumes.
Before you start to perform low-level formatting in Windows 11 through Diskpart, in order to avoid data loss caused by formatting, you can use a free and safe backup and restore software - AOMEI Backupper Standard to help you backup before formatting the disk.
This way, even if any problem happens to your disk accidentally, you can quickly restore it using the disk backup you created earlier. This software supports all Windows operating systems, including Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11/XP/Vista, etc.
First, download and install this freeware, then follow the graphic tutorial below. If you are a Windows Server user, you can pick AOMEI Backupper Server.
Step 1. Open AOMEI Backupper Standard. Open the software, and click Backup > Disk Backup.
Step 2. Click Add Disk to choose the disk that you want to be formatted.
Step 3. You need to select the destination for your disk backup and then click Start Backup.
Notes:
If you know the computer software a little bit and do not want to install third-party software, DiskPart, a free low-level format tool, can be a good choice for you. You can follow the graphic tutorial below to learn how to low level format disk via DiskPart.
Step 1. Press Win+R and press Enter after typing CMD.
Step 2. Type diskpart in the command prompt and press enter.
Step 3. On the next CMD window, type list disk, and press Enter.
Step 4. You will then see a list of disks; select the disk you want to format.
Step 5. When the disk is selected, type clean all and press enter.
After entering all the low level formatting command, wait patiently, because the process might take several minutes to complete. When the formatting process is completed, enter the following commands and press enter after each one:
This article explains what low-level formatting is and how to perform low-level formatting in Windows 11 via Diskpart. Low-level formatting permanently deletes data and cannot be recovered by recovery software. Therefore, in order to avoid data loss, it is recommended that you back up the disk in advance with the free and safe backup software AOMEI Backupper Standard. You can save the disk backup to different destination paths, and you can also choose different b backup methods and set regular backup frequency.
In addition, this software also provides functions such as partition backup, system backup and file backup to protect your data in an all-around way. With these backups, even if your data is accidentally lost, you can use the backup files for quick restoration without losing any data. It also provides you with Disk Wipe, Recovery Environment, and other useful functions in Pro and higher versions. Download this software to explore more.