Can i format an unformatted partition

[DC_FC]

I believe I know the answer to this but thought id ask. I created a partition on a hard drive i bought last year and installed windows 7 on 1 half, what i didnt do at the time was format the drive then create a partition when windows asked about setting 1 up. Im guessing the answer is no but is there anyway i can format the partition without having to reinstall windows 7 and create a partition during installtion process.

[MarkRae]

Open up Computer Management then select Storage, Disk Management.

Select the unformatted partition and follow the instructions.

[DC_FC]

ok ill give it a shot, thanks

[DC_FC]

I tried that mark but there was no options to format the half thats unformatted

[jake-the-peg]

I'm not exactly sure what you want to do but you have to create a partition before you can format it.

If you're trying to add an extra partition there are tools like partition magic or gparted (free) that can help you do this

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

[MarkRae]

Follow the instructions here:
http://windows.micros...a-hard-disk-partition

[DC_FC]

jake its like i said, i have a hard drive split into 2, 1 half is formatted with win 7 and the other half is unformatted, can i format the unformatted half to make it useable

[DC_FC]

Thanks mark, worked like a dream, save dme haivng to reinstall win 7

thanks again

[MarkRae]

Welcome.

As a matter of interest, why did you not use the entire hard drive for Windows when you first installed it...?