How to format a floppy diskette
Before starting this tutorial it is important that you understand that formatting a diskette erases all data on the diskette.
Once formatted, your floppy diskette will be usable on a PC for storing files.
- To format a diskette, first insert a floppy diskette in your floppy drive.
- Next, go to the Start menu, click on My Computer (for earlier versions of Windows double click on the My Computer icon on your desktop).
- Then right-click on the 3 1/2 Floppy (A:) icon. Select Format from the menu that appears.
The next window you will see is your Formatting options.
If your diskette is not new and formatted

If you have previously formatted your diskette and are looking instead to wipe its contents you can click on the checkbox Quick Format, which erases the files on a previously formatted diskette without checking the media. Quick format is faster but it can't be used for brand new, unformatted diskettes.
If your diskette is new or unformatted

Leave the Quick Format checkbox unticked so that Windows will do a full format. A full format checks for bad sectors on the diskette. Click on the Start button to start formatting your diskette.
- Once you have chosen the appropriate Quick Format option click the "Start" button to proceed with the formatting process. Once the process is completed your diskette should be ready for you to save files on.
