Format or Delete Partition

[Jad Chaar]

I am planning on clean installing Windows 7, but I do not get the difference between formatting and deleting. When you do a custom install of windows, you get the option to delete or format. Which option should I choose? I am used to just deleting all partitions and just creating a new one to start from scratch, but is formatting any different?

 

[cliffordcooley]

Formating will erase the partition, however a partition must exist before hand.
Deleting a partition will allow you to create a new partition of varying size.
Keep in mind that the partition will still need to be formated after one is created.

Think of it this way:
Partition defines the borders, while formating defines the table type within.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

If you delete the partition you will end up with unallocated space and will need to make a new partition. If you format it, it'll just erase all the data on that partition.

 

[Jad Chaar]

Thanks. So if I delete the current partition I have, and then click New, I will be good to go right?

 

[Jad Chaar]

Do you guys prefer one method over another?

 

[cliffordcooley]

Formating is fine, unless you want to change partition sizes. Even then the partition can be resized without deleting the partition.

 

[Jad Chaar]

Formating is fine, unless you want to change partition sizes. Even then the partition can be resized without deleting the partition.

I have a OEM (Lenovo) laptop, so I have a 30GB partition for drivers. I want to delete that and create one large partition. So I guess I have to delete. Thanks for the help.