Convert a hard disk or partition to FAT32 format

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

Before you begin, note that the FAT32 file system has size limitations. You can't create a FAT32 partition greater than 32 gigabytes (GB). Also, you can't store a file larger than 4 GB on a FAT32 partition. If the partition you want to format is larger than 32 GB, the NTFS format might be a better option. For more information, see Convert a hard disk or partition to NTFS format.

For more information about formatting in general, see Formatting disks and drives.

Warning

• Converting a hard disk partition or volume from NTFS to FAT32 requires that you reformat the partition, which deletes any data on it. Be sure to back up any data you want to keep before you begin.
  
  
  
  
  1. open Computer Management.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  2. In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management.
  3. Right-click the partition you want to format, and then click Format.
  4. In the Format dialog box, under File System, click FAT32, click OK, and then click OK again.

     Note

     • If the partition you want to format is larger the 32 GB, the FAT32 option will not be visible.

Read More

Format an existing partition (volume)

To create a partition or volume (the two terms are often used interchangeably) on a hard disk, you must be logged in as an administrator, and there must be either unallocated disk space or free space within an extended partition on the hard disk.

If there is no unallocated disk space, you can create some by shrinking an existing partition, deleting a partition, or by using a third-party partitioning program. For more information, see Can I repartition my hard disk?

For information about reformatting a hard disk, see Formatting disks and drives: frequently asked questions.

 To create and format a new partition (volume)

1. Click to open Computer Management.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
2. In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management.
3. Right-click an unallocated region on your hard disk, and then click New Simple Volume.
4. In the New Simple Volume Wizard, click Next.
5. Type the size of the volume you want to create in megabytes (MB) or accept the maximum default size, and then click Next.
6. Accept the default drive letter or choose a different drive letter to identify the partition, and then click Next.
7. In the Format Partition dialog box, do one of the following:
   • If you don't want to format the volume right now, click Do not format this volume, and then click Next.
   • To format the volume with the default settings, click Next.
8. Review your choices, and then click Finish.

   Note

   • When you create new partitions on a basic disk, the first three will be formatted as primary partitions. Beginning with the fourth, each one will be configured as a logical drive within an extended partition.

 To format an existing partition (volume)

Warning

• Formatting a volume will destroy any data on the partition. Be sure to back up any data you want to save before you begin.
1. Click to open Computer Management.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
2. In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management.
3. Right-click the volume that you want to format, and then click Format.
4. To format the volume with the default settings, in the Format dialog box, click OK, and then click OK again.

   Notes

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

   • The Perform a quick format option will create a new file table, but will not fully overwrite or erase the volume. A quick format is much faster than a normal format, which fully erases any existing data on the volume.

Read More

Create and format a hard disk partition

To create a partition or volume (the two terms are often used interchangeably) on a hard disk, you must be logged in as an administrator, and there must be either unallocated disk space or free space within an extended partition on the hard disk.

If there is no unallocated disk space, you can create some by shrinking an existing partition, deleting a partition, or by using a third-party partitioning program. For more information, see Can I repartition my hard disk?

For information about reformatting a hard disk, see Formatting disks and drives: frequently asked questions.

 To create and format a new partition (volume)

1. Click to open Computer Management.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
2. In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management.
3. Right-click an unallocated region on your hard disk, and then click New Simple Volume.
4. In the New Simple Volume Wizard, click Next.
5. Type the size of the volume you want to create in megabytes (MB) or accept the maximum default size, and then click Next.
6. Accept the default drive letter or choose a different drive letter to identify the partition, and then click Next.
7. In the Format Partition dialog box, do one of the following:
   • If you don't want to format the volume right now, click Do not format this volume, and then click Next.
   • To format the volume with the default settings, click Next.
8. Review your choices, and then click Finish.

   Note

   • When you create new partitions on a basic disk, the first three will be formatted as primary partitions. Beginning with the fourth, each one will be configured as a logical drive within an extended partition.

Read More

Create a boot partition

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

A boot partition is a partition that contains the files for the Windows operating system. If you want to install a second operating system on your computer (called a dual-boot or multiboot configuration), you need to create another partition on the hard disk, and then install the additional operating system on the new partition. Your hard disk would then have one system partition and two boot partitions. (A system partition is the partition that contains the hardware-related files. These tell the computer where to look to start Windows.)

To create a partition on a basic disk, there must be unallocated disk space on your hard disk. With Disk Management, you can create a maximum of three primary partitions on a hard disk. You can create extended partitions, which include logical drives within them, if you need more partitions on the disk.

Unallocated disk space

If there is no unallocated space, you will either need to create space by shrinking or deleting an existing partition or by using a third-party partitioning tool to repartition your hard disk. For more information, see Can I repartition my hard disk?

To create a boot partition

Warning

• If you are installing different versions of Windows, you must install the earliest version first. If you don't do this, your computer may become inoperable.
1. Click to open Computer Management.‌  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
2. In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management.
3. Right-click an unallocated region on your hard disk, and then click New Simple Volume.
4. In the New Simple Volume Wizard, click Next.
5. Type the size of the volume you want to create in megabytes (MB) or accept the maximum default size, and then click Next.
6. Accept the default drive letter or choose a different drive letter to identify the volume, and then click Next.
7. In the Format Partition dialog box, do one of the following:
   • If you don't want to format the volume right now, click Do not format this volume, and then click Next.
   • To format the volume with the default settings, click Next.
   For more information about formatting, see Formatting disks and drives: frequently asked questions.
8. Review your choices, and then click Finish.

Read More

Create a boot partition

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

A boot partition is a partition that contains the files for the Windows operating system. If you want to install a second operating system on your computer (called a dual-boot or multiboot configuration), you need to create another partition on the hard disk, and then install the additional operating system on the new partition. Your hard disk would then have one system partition and two boot partitions. (A system partition is the partition that contains the hardware-related files. These tell the computer where to look to start Windows.)

To create a partition on a basic disk, there must be unallocated disk space on your hard disk. With Disk Management, you can create a maximum of three primary partitions on a hard disk. You can create extended partitions, which include logical drives within them, if you need more partitions on the disk.

Unallocated disk space

If there is no unallocated space, you will either need to create space by shrinking or deleting an existing partition or by using a third-party partitioning tool to repartition your hard disk. For more information, see Can I repartition my hard disk?

To create a boot partition

Warning

• If you are installing different versions of Windows, you must install the earliest version first. If you don't do this, your computer may become inoperable.
1. Click to open Computer Management.‌  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
2. In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management.
3. Right-click an unallocated region on your hard disk, and then click New Simple Volume.
4. In the New Simple Volume Wizard, click Next.
5. Type the size of the volume you want to create in megabytes (MB) or accept the maximum default size, and then click Next.
6. Accept the default drive letter or choose a different drive letter to identify the volume, and then click Next.
7. In the Format Partition dialog box, do one of the following:
   • If you don't want to format the volume right now, click Do not format this volume, and then click Next.
   • To format the volume with the default settings, click Next.
   For more information about formatting, see Formatting disks and drives: frequently asked questions.
8. Review your choices, and then click Finish.

Read More

Installing and reinstalling Windows

In this article you will find instructions for:

• Upgrading to Windows 7. Choose Upgrade to keep your files, settings, and programs from your current version of Windows, and if your current version of Windows can be upgraded. If your version of Windows can't be upgraded, you need to choose Custom.
• Installing a custom version of Windows. Choose Custom to completely replace your current operating system, or to install Windows on a specific drive or partition that you select. You can also use Custom if your computer does not have an operating system, or if you want to set up a multiboot system on your computer. For more information about setting up a multiboot system, see Install more than one operating system (multiboot).
• Reinstalling Windows 7. Choose this option if you want to restore default Windows settings or if you are having trouble with Windows and need to reinstall it by performing a custom installation.

During the installation process, you need:

• The Windows installation disc.
• Your product key. You can find your product key on your computer or on the installation disc holder inside the Windows package. A product key sticker looks similar to this:
  PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
  Go to the Microsoft website to see examples of product key stickers.
• Your computer name, if your computer is currently connected to a network.

You also need to decide whether to install a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7. For help deciding, see 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions.

Before you begin, to save time and help you avoid problems during installation:

• Update your antivirus program, run it, and then disable it. After you install Windows, remember to reenable the antivirus program, or install new antivirus software that works with Windows 7.
• Back up your files. You can back up files to an external hard disk, a DVD or CD, or a network folder. For more information about backing up your files, search for "back up" in Help and Support.
• Connect to the Internet. Make sure your Internet connection is working so that you can get the latest installation updates. These updates include security updates and hardware driver updates that can help with installation. If you don't have an Internet connection, you can still upgrade or install Windows.

Read More

How do your turn off computer?

By default, clicking the Shut down button closes Windows and turns off your computer. (To find the Shut down button, click the Start button .)

You can also turn off a desktop computer by pressing the power button on the computer case. Pressing the power button on the edge of a laptop puts the computer into an energy-saving mode called sleep. Sleep automatically preserves open documents and programs in memory and shuts down all nonessential functions. The advantage of sleep is that it takes only seconds to restore your computer to where you left off and uses a very small amount of electricity.

For information about how to change what happens when you press the power button on your computer or the Shut down button on the Start menu, see Change what happens when you press the power button on your computer.

Note

• Always save open files before putting your computer into sleep or hibernation. Before shutting down your computer, save files, and then close any open programs.

Read More