- Installing Hdd In Laptop
- Format Hdd After Installing Ssd Drive
- Ssd Hdd Combo
- Format Hdd After Installing Ssd Problems
- Hi all, I recently managed to (finally) migrate my old m.2 NVMe SSD over to my new, larger one, after many may failed attempts to do so. One of these attempts was mounting Windows 10 via the Windows Media Creation Tool onto my installed HDD, overwriting the files that were on it. Thankfully, the on.
- Can't see the hard drive in Windows 10. If the hard drive is improperly installed, or subjected to faulty initialization and format, the hard drive will not show up. The external hard drive does not appear. External hard drives may also not be included in the list, especially when the drive becomes corrupted or damaged.
'Hi there, do you know how to initialize a new SSD in PC? I recently bought a new SSD, and I added to my computer, but it won't allow me to create a new partition. It keeps asking me to initialize the disk with an error message ' Disk Unknown is not initialized'. How can I fix this issue?'
Hi there, I recently bought a laptop/notebook,an asus e402ma.it comes with a 32 gb eMMC drive which is definitely not enough space. There's a 2.5' drive bay empty at the back so I've bought an SSD to go in it. So my plan is to clone the drive to the SSD and use that as my boot device instead. How do I install OS X on my hard drive using an installation disc? If you have a built-in disc drive, power on your Mac so you can insert the OS X installation disc into the slot. Now power off your Mac from the menu or by holding the power button. Briefly press the power button, then immediately hold the option key while your Mac boots up. My new SSD is coming in the next few hours and Im getting stuff over to my backup HDD. What Im curious to know is when should I format my old HDD with the old win7 OS? In case something goes wrong with the new install I'd like to have the old install as standby.
Why You Need to Initialize Hard Drive/SSD
Are you having a similar problem with your SSD or HDD that the disk drive is not responding or stay with an unallocated condition? Do you know why the system keeps asking you or forcing you to initialize HDD/SSD? Here below are the reasons and causes that you are in and why you have to initialize SSD or HDD:
- New HDD or SSD does not show up in PC
When a brand new SSD or HDD is plugged into PC, it may not show up in This PC/Computer immediately. You have to initialize it so as to make it detectable and work for storing data.
- Disk Unknown Not Initialized error
An error message such as ' Disk 0 is unknown, not initialized, unallocated' may pop up if you try to open a solid-state disk or hard disk drive. This problem can occur to all Windows systems, including Windows 10/8/7, and the only way is to fix 'disk not initialized' error.
- Logical Disk Manager cannot access a disk since it's not initialized
Sometimes, if a hard disk or SSD is not initialized into MBR or GPT, the system may warn you with an error message 'You must initialize a disk before Logical Disk Manager can access it'.
How to Initialize SSD/HDD in Windows 10/8/7 (3 Ways)
If you add a brand new disk to your PC and it doesn't show up in File Explorer, you might need to add a drive letter or initialize it before using it. There are three ways to initialize SSD or HDD in Windows 10/8/7.
- Tip
- If your disk already has files on it that you care about, don't initialize it - you'll lose all the files. You can export data with data recovery software. Then, initialize the disk by the following steps.
Solution 1. Initialize SSD/HDD with Free Software
You can initialize a disk easily and quickly with the help of EaseUS Partition Master Free. This free partition tool enables you to initialize a hard drive or an SSD with simple clicks. What's more, it is a superior free tool designed for everyone to manage partitions in Windows without data loss: beginners and experts alike.
Highlights
- Resize/move partition
- Merge partitions
- Wipe disk data
Follow the steps below to initialize HDD/SSD:
Step 1: Download the software
Download EaseUS Partition Master. Connect the hard drive or SSD to PC.
Step 2: Initialize your HDD/SSD
Right-click the target HDD or SSD and select 'Initialize to MBR' or 'Initialize to GPT' accordingly.
Fig 1. Initialize to MBR:
Fig 2. Initialize to GPT:
Step 3: Apply the operation
A pending operation of initializing disk to MBR or GPT disk will be added. Execute the operation and click 'Apply'.
Solution 2. Initialize SSD/HDD in Windows 10/8/7 with Disk Management
Here's how to initialize a new disk using Disk Management.
For Windows 10/8 users:
Step 1. Press 'Win + R', type diskmgmt.msc. and click 'OK' to open the Disk Management tool.
Step 2. Find the HDD or SSD that you need to initialize and right-click on it, and select 'Initialize Disk'.
Step 3. In the Initialize Disk dialog box, select the correct disk to initialize. And then click 'OK' to accept the default partition style, or you can change the partition style (GPT or MBR) as you want.
After this, reboot PC to keep all changes, and then your disk can be used properly.
For Windows 7 users:
Step 1. Right-click Computer and select 'Manage' to open Disk Management.
Step 2. Right-click on the not initialized disk (HDD or SSD) and select 'Initialize Disk'.
Step 3. Select the disk(s) to initialize in the Initialize Disk dialog box and set the disk partition as MBR or GPT.
Reboot PC, and then your disk will be initialized to create new partitions on it for storing new data.
Solution 3. Run CMD to Initialize HDD or SSD
If you are familiar with Command Prompt, you can try this method. Again, back up data into another safe disk or external storage device if you have important data on it.
Step 1. Press Win+R and type: diskpart and hit 'Enter'.
Step 2. Type the following commands in Command Prompt and press Enter after each command.
If you want to initialize to MBR disk, in the command, input convert mbr instead of convert gpt, then, you've finished the disk initialize process with the above commands.
Also read:How to Fix Disk Unknown Not Initialized Error.
How to Initialize SSD/HDD on Mac
If you are a Mac user, you can also initialize your disk. This guide uses Mac OS X El Capitan or later. The procedure may be different from other OS versions.
Step 1. Connect your SSD to Mac with a USB adaptor. Select 'Initialize' when you receive this message - The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer.
Step 2. Disk Utility will pop up if not, open Disk Utility and you shall see the SSD listed under External
Step 3. Select the SSD and then select 'Erase' on top of disk utility
Step 4. Input your desired name of the partition, if you plan to install Mac OS onto the partition, choose OS X Extended(Journaled) as the format. Choose GUID Partition Map as Scheme. After you click 'Erase'.
The SSD should now be visible on your desktop with the new name you gave it, as well as during the drive selection menu if you run an OS X installer.
Additional Information About Partition Styles - GPT and MBR
When you initialize a disk, you have to choose your partition style - MBR or GPT. MBR and GPT are two accessible partitions styles on Windows-based computers. Disks can be divided up into multiple parts called partitions. Each partition has to have a partition style - GPT or MBR. Windows uses the partition style to understand how to access the data on the disk. You can know their differences in detail in this table. What's more, you can convert MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR according to your needs.
Comparison | MBR (Master Boot Record) | GPT (GUID Partition Table) |
---|---|---|
Supported Partition Numbers | Maximum 4 partitions. | Maximum 128 partitions. |
Supported Disk Capacity | 2TB (for 512B sector), 16TB (for 4Kn sector) | No disk capacity limit |
Supported Boot Mode | BIOS | UEFI |
Supported OS |
|
|
Conclusion
Initialize SSD is one of the essential tasks. Knowing how you can initialize SSD on Windows and Mac can solve the uninitialized issue with ease. Initializing SSD and HDD in Windows 10, 8, and 7 is possible using free software, Disk Management, and DiskPart. It only takes a few steps to complete this process.
SSD Initialization Related Questions
Here are some related questions about SSD initialization. If you still have a problem, you can read on to get additional help.
How do I initialize my new SSD?
To initialize a new SSD:
Step 1. Download EaseUS Partition Master. Connect the hard drive or SSD to PC
Step 2. Right-click the target HDD or SSD and select 'Initialize to MBR' or 'Initialize to GPT'.
Step 3. Execute the operation and click 'Apply'.
Do I need to initialize SSD?
When a brand new SSD or HDD is plugged into PC, it may not show up in This PC immediately. You have to initialize it so as to make it detectable and work for storing data.
How do I initialize my Samsung SSD?
To initialize Samsung SSD in Disk Management:
Step 1. Press Win + R, type diskmgmt.msc. and click OK to open the Disk Management tool.
Step 2. Find the HDD or SSD that you need to initialize and right-click on it and select Initialize Disk.
Step 3. Select the correct disk to initialize. And then click OK.
Nov 16, 2020 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions
Solid-state drives are now the best option to use in most computers. It's fast, lightweight, and makes use of flash memory, making it less likely to wear down, unlike hard disk drives. If you've currently changed your laptop's drive to an SSD but it won't show on your computer, you may need to initialize it first.
Initialize SSD/Hard Drive
Initializing your drive is the process of preparing it for use of an operating system. It is essential if you're encountering problems with your drive upon first using it. This problem may be in the form of your brand new SSD not being read by your computer. Or it could be in the prompt saying Disk Unknown Not Initialized. It could also be in the error prompt You must initialize a disk before Logical Disk Manager can access it. All these problems would be solved when you initialize your disk. However, take note that doing so would erase all of the data in the disk. It's advisable to do if your disk is brand new or empty.
How to Initialize an SSD on Windows 10
In the following paragraphs, we'll tell you how to Initialize an SSD on Windows 10. We'll also recommend some third-party softwares that will do the job for you in case you're not confident in performing the task on your own.
Method 1. Launch Disk Management
1. Press on Windows key + R to launch Run. Then put in diskmgmt.msc > OK to open Disk Management.
2. Locate your hard drive of concern. Right-click on it to view the options. Select Initialize Disk.
3. It will tell you whether the disk is offline or online. Set it to Online by making a right-click.
4. An Initialize Disk Window will pop up. Again, click on the disk you want to initialize and hit OK. This is where you assign the partition style.
5. Once the process is finished, you may need to restart your PC to see if your SDD was initialized.
Method 2. Use Diskpart Commands
1. On Start menu or in the search bar, type in diskpart, and hit Enter. This will launch the Diskpart command line.
2. Type the command below, pressing Enter after every line.
list disk
select disk #
convert MBR/GPT.
NOTE: This will initialize the chosen disk to MBR or GPT. Replace # with the drive letter
3.Type in the commands below on the command-line if you intend the primary partition to be made on MBR.
list disk
select disk #
clean
create partition primary
format quick fs=ntfs
assign
exit.
4.Type in the following command if you want to make a primary partition on GPT.
list disk
Installing Hdd In Laptop
select disk #
clean
convert gpt
create partition primary format quick fs=ntfs
assign
exit.
5. You may need to reboot to see the changes take effect.
Method 3. Use a third-party partition software
If either of the two methods mentioned above doesn't work, you can always resort to using a third-party partition software. All softwares that will be mentioned currently have both free and paid versions. They are all capable of initializing your disk plus many other features.
1.Paragon Partition Manager
Paragon Partition Manager simplifies things to the average users. The graphics in the interface help visualize the partition's remaining capacity and partitions. In just a click, you can launch a whole set of options and queue them up until you are ready to apply them. It also allows users to convert drives without actually formatting them. It's an all-in-one solution to any of your disk partition needs.
2.Acronis Disk Director 12
One of the defining features of Acronis Disk Director is its versatility. It boasts of many advanced features that you won't think you'll need. Apart from the essentials of any disk management software, it offers more. It allows users to convert partitions and to clone schemes. Most importantly, it's also highly compatible with many operating systems.
Format Hdd After Installing Ssd Drive
3.AOMEI Partition Assistant
Why You Need to Initialize Hard Drive/SSD
Are you having a similar problem with your SSD or HDD that the disk drive is not responding or stay with an unallocated condition? Do you know why the system keeps asking you or forcing you to initialize HDD/SSD? Here below are the reasons and causes that you are in and why you have to initialize SSD or HDD:
- New HDD or SSD does not show up in PC
When a brand new SSD or HDD is plugged into PC, it may not show up in This PC/Computer immediately. You have to initialize it so as to make it detectable and work for storing data.
- Disk Unknown Not Initialized error
An error message such as ' Disk 0 is unknown, not initialized, unallocated' may pop up if you try to open a solid-state disk or hard disk drive. This problem can occur to all Windows systems, including Windows 10/8/7, and the only way is to fix 'disk not initialized' error.
- Logical Disk Manager cannot access a disk since it's not initialized
Sometimes, if a hard disk or SSD is not initialized into MBR or GPT, the system may warn you with an error message 'You must initialize a disk before Logical Disk Manager can access it'.
How to Initialize SSD/HDD in Windows 10/8/7 (3 Ways)
If you add a brand new disk to your PC and it doesn't show up in File Explorer, you might need to add a drive letter or initialize it before using it. There are three ways to initialize SSD or HDD in Windows 10/8/7.
- Tip
- If your disk already has files on it that you care about, don't initialize it - you'll lose all the files. You can export data with data recovery software. Then, initialize the disk by the following steps.
Solution 1. Initialize SSD/HDD with Free Software
You can initialize a disk easily and quickly with the help of EaseUS Partition Master Free. This free partition tool enables you to initialize a hard drive or an SSD with simple clicks. What's more, it is a superior free tool designed for everyone to manage partitions in Windows without data loss: beginners and experts alike.
Highlights
- Resize/move partition
- Merge partitions
- Wipe disk data
Follow the steps below to initialize HDD/SSD:
Step 1: Download the software
Download EaseUS Partition Master. Connect the hard drive or SSD to PC.
Step 2: Initialize your HDD/SSD
Right-click the target HDD or SSD and select 'Initialize to MBR' or 'Initialize to GPT' accordingly.
Fig 1. Initialize to MBR:
Fig 2. Initialize to GPT:
Step 3: Apply the operation
A pending operation of initializing disk to MBR or GPT disk will be added. Execute the operation and click 'Apply'.
Solution 2. Initialize SSD/HDD in Windows 10/8/7 with Disk Management
Here's how to initialize a new disk using Disk Management.
For Windows 10/8 users:
Step 1. Press 'Win + R', type diskmgmt.msc. and click 'OK' to open the Disk Management tool.
Step 2. Find the HDD or SSD that you need to initialize and right-click on it, and select 'Initialize Disk'.
Step 3. In the Initialize Disk dialog box, select the correct disk to initialize. And then click 'OK' to accept the default partition style, or you can change the partition style (GPT or MBR) as you want.
After this, reboot PC to keep all changes, and then your disk can be used properly.
For Windows 7 users:
Step 1. Right-click Computer and select 'Manage' to open Disk Management.
Step 2. Right-click on the not initialized disk (HDD or SSD) and select 'Initialize Disk'.
Step 3. Select the disk(s) to initialize in the Initialize Disk dialog box and set the disk partition as MBR or GPT.
Reboot PC, and then your disk will be initialized to create new partitions on it for storing new data.
Solution 3. Run CMD to Initialize HDD or SSD
If you are familiar with Command Prompt, you can try this method. Again, back up data into another safe disk or external storage device if you have important data on it.
Step 1. Press Win+R and type: diskpart and hit 'Enter'.
Step 2. Type the following commands in Command Prompt and press Enter after each command.
If you want to initialize to MBR disk, in the command, input convert mbr instead of convert gpt, then, you've finished the disk initialize process with the above commands.
Also read:How to Fix Disk Unknown Not Initialized Error.
How to Initialize SSD/HDD on Mac
If you are a Mac user, you can also initialize your disk. This guide uses Mac OS X El Capitan or later. The procedure may be different from other OS versions.
Step 1. Connect your SSD to Mac with a USB adaptor. Select 'Initialize' when you receive this message - The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer.
Step 2. Disk Utility will pop up if not, open Disk Utility and you shall see the SSD listed under External
Step 3. Select the SSD and then select 'Erase' on top of disk utility
Step 4. Input your desired name of the partition, if you plan to install Mac OS onto the partition, choose OS X Extended(Journaled) as the format. Choose GUID Partition Map as Scheme. After you click 'Erase'.
The SSD should now be visible on your desktop with the new name you gave it, as well as during the drive selection menu if you run an OS X installer.
Additional Information About Partition Styles - GPT and MBR
When you initialize a disk, you have to choose your partition style - MBR or GPT. MBR and GPT are two accessible partitions styles on Windows-based computers. Disks can be divided up into multiple parts called partitions. Each partition has to have a partition style - GPT or MBR. Windows uses the partition style to understand how to access the data on the disk. You can know their differences in detail in this table. What's more, you can convert MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR according to your needs.
Comparison | MBR (Master Boot Record) | GPT (GUID Partition Table) |
---|---|---|
Supported Partition Numbers | Maximum 4 partitions. | Maximum 128 partitions. |
Supported Disk Capacity | 2TB (for 512B sector), 16TB (for 4Kn sector) | No disk capacity limit |
Supported Boot Mode | BIOS | UEFI |
Supported OS |
|
|
Conclusion
Initialize SSD is one of the essential tasks. Knowing how you can initialize SSD on Windows and Mac can solve the uninitialized issue with ease. Initializing SSD and HDD in Windows 10, 8, and 7 is possible using free software, Disk Management, and DiskPart. It only takes a few steps to complete this process.
SSD Initialization Related Questions
Here are some related questions about SSD initialization. If you still have a problem, you can read on to get additional help.
How do I initialize my new SSD?
To initialize a new SSD:
Step 1. Download EaseUS Partition Master. Connect the hard drive or SSD to PC
Step 2. Right-click the target HDD or SSD and select 'Initialize to MBR' or 'Initialize to GPT'.
Step 3. Execute the operation and click 'Apply'.
Do I need to initialize SSD?
When a brand new SSD or HDD is plugged into PC, it may not show up in This PC immediately. You have to initialize it so as to make it detectable and work for storing data.
How do I initialize my Samsung SSD?
To initialize Samsung SSD in Disk Management:
Step 1. Press Win + R, type diskmgmt.msc. and click OK to open the Disk Management tool.
Step 2. Find the HDD or SSD that you need to initialize and right-click on it and select Initialize Disk.
Step 3. Select the correct disk to initialize. And then click OK.
Nov 16, 2020 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions
Solid-state drives are now the best option to use in most computers. It's fast, lightweight, and makes use of flash memory, making it less likely to wear down, unlike hard disk drives. If you've currently changed your laptop's drive to an SSD but it won't show on your computer, you may need to initialize it first.
Initialize SSD/Hard Drive
Initializing your drive is the process of preparing it for use of an operating system. It is essential if you're encountering problems with your drive upon first using it. This problem may be in the form of your brand new SSD not being read by your computer. Or it could be in the prompt saying Disk Unknown Not Initialized. It could also be in the error prompt You must initialize a disk before Logical Disk Manager can access it. All these problems would be solved when you initialize your disk. However, take note that doing so would erase all of the data in the disk. It's advisable to do if your disk is brand new or empty.
How to Initialize an SSD on Windows 10
In the following paragraphs, we'll tell you how to Initialize an SSD on Windows 10. We'll also recommend some third-party softwares that will do the job for you in case you're not confident in performing the task on your own.
Method 1. Launch Disk Management
1. Press on Windows key + R to launch Run. Then put in diskmgmt.msc > OK to open Disk Management.
2. Locate your hard drive of concern. Right-click on it to view the options. Select Initialize Disk.
3. It will tell you whether the disk is offline or online. Set it to Online by making a right-click.
4. An Initialize Disk Window will pop up. Again, click on the disk you want to initialize and hit OK. This is where you assign the partition style.
5. Once the process is finished, you may need to restart your PC to see if your SDD was initialized.
Method 2. Use Diskpart Commands
1. On Start menu or in the search bar, type in diskpart, and hit Enter. This will launch the Diskpart command line.
2. Type the command below, pressing Enter after every line.
list disk
select disk #
convert MBR/GPT.
NOTE: This will initialize the chosen disk to MBR or GPT. Replace # with the drive letter
3.Type in the commands below on the command-line if you intend the primary partition to be made on MBR.
list disk
select disk #
clean
create partition primary
format quick fs=ntfs
assign
exit.
4.Type in the following command if you want to make a primary partition on GPT.
list disk
Installing Hdd In Laptop
select disk #
clean
convert gpt
create partition primary format quick fs=ntfs
assign
exit.
5. You may need to reboot to see the changes take effect.
Method 3. Use a third-party partition software
If either of the two methods mentioned above doesn't work, you can always resort to using a third-party partition software. All softwares that will be mentioned currently have both free and paid versions. They are all capable of initializing your disk plus many other features.
1.Paragon Partition Manager
Paragon Partition Manager simplifies things to the average users. The graphics in the interface help visualize the partition's remaining capacity and partitions. In just a click, you can launch a whole set of options and queue them up until you are ready to apply them. It also allows users to convert drives without actually formatting them. It's an all-in-one solution to any of your disk partition needs.
2.Acronis Disk Director 12
One of the defining features of Acronis Disk Director is its versatility. It boasts of many advanced features that you won't think you'll need. Apart from the essentials of any disk management software, it offers more. It allows users to convert partitions and to clone schemes. Most importantly, it's also highly compatible with many operating systems.
Format Hdd After Installing Ssd Drive
3.AOMEI Partition Assistant
AOMEI is a household name when it comes to partition management softwares. I'm fully equipped with the features you would expect any disk management software to have. With AOMEI, you can copy, create, delete, resize, and rename partitions with ease. The software's interface is highly commendable for its clean and crisp design. It's easy to navigate while keeping things professional-looking.
Ssd Hdd Combo
Always remember that the process of initializing wipes out the disk of all the files. It's only performed if your SSD is brand new or never been used before. If you find that your new SSD is not recognized by your computer, you may initialize it first. This can be done through the previous solutions mentioned above.