How to Install an Unformatted Hard Drive in Windows Vista or Windows 7

Written by: Bill Fulks • Edited by: Lamar Stonecypher
Updated Mar 31, 2011 • Related Guides: Hard Drive | Windows Vista | New Hard Drive

Before you can use an unformatted hard drive in Windows Vista or Windows 7, there are a few extra steps you need to take in order for your PC to recognize the new hardware. This article tells you everything you need to do.

Connecting the Hard Drive

I recently bought a brand new unformatted OEM hard drive and installed it in my Windows Vista PC. The drive is connected to the motherboard via a SATA (serial ATA) cable, just like my original hard drive. This new drive was for data/backup. When I turned on the computer, the BIOS picked it right up. However, when I got into Vista, it did not detect any new hardware. I even went into the Control Panel and chose Add Hardware and let it scan for changes, but it didn’t find anything new.

Windows Plug and Play

If your drive isn't detected, there is no need to panic. Both Windows Vista and Windows 7 is a little funny about this sort of thing, but it is quite easy to fix. The problem is that the drive is not initialized, so the standard plug-and-play procedure for adding a drive does not apply. First, you must initialize the drive, then it will allow you to format it. After the drive has been formatted, it will be ready to use.

The first thing you need to do is go into the Control Panel, then double click on Administrative Tools. After that, open up Computer Management, then go to Storage, then Disk Management. This is where you will see all of your drives listed. Be extremely careful in this section because you don’t want to screw up your main hard drive.

What you are looking for in the Disk Management area is your new hard drive. If you only have one hard drive, it should show up as Disk 0. Therefore, your new drive should most likely be Disk 1. Underneath the name Disk 1 it should say Unknown, the size of the disk, and Not Initialized. Right click in this area and you should get a pop-up window. Click Initialize Disk and it should only take a couple of seconds.

Your hard drive is now ready to be formatted.

Formatting Your Drive

Once your new hard drive is initialized, you will still have to format the drive before you can use it. To format, right-click in the column to the right of the Disk 1 label and then click New Simple Volume in the menu that pops up. From here, you can allocate how much of the drive you want for a new volume, what drive letter you want to call it, give it a name, and finally format the hard disk.

Formatting the hard drive may take a while, depending on the size. My 500 gigabyte drive took nearly an hour to format, so don’t be alarmed if your's takes a while. Once the format completes, your new hard drive will now show up in My Computer and you can start putting files on it.

Screen Shots

Windows Vista Hard Drive Articles

Now that you have your drive up and running consider taking a look at these other hard drive articles for Windows Vista:

References

Author's own experience.

Reg Feb 6, 2012 5:19 PM

RE: How to Install an Unformatted Hard Drive in Windows Vista or Windows 7

Awesome and simple! Thank you very much!!

Featuretree Feb 2, 2012 6:18 PM

Very clear and simple instructions /explanation. Thank you very much.

Marc Cram Dec 31, 2011 5:33 AM

Thank you so much for this information .. was driving me crazy .. no pun intended ..

Bill Fulks Dec 23, 2011 5:08 PM

By "everything is grayed out" do you mean the folders? If so, it's a stupid Windows security thing. Right click on the folder and somewhere in the properties or security options is the choice to take ownership of the folders, then it will let you view them.

paul Dec 23, 2011 4:02 AM

hi did u ever get an answer... i have the same problem. 120gigs of data. that i sure dont wont to lose.<br>i hadnt turned the external for a while then turned it on. i had to reboot for it to work (figures) but there it was. then i tried a second external (hey im on a roll, but it did the same as yours, then the first one did it as well? arrrggghhhh<br>i want to learn linux

Guest12345 Nov 5, 2011 3:34 AM

I understand how this works. But...why do you have to delete (format) the drive - everytime - you want MS to allow you to "see it."??? My ext HDD was connected via USB to my Vista comp 1. I transferred files from my regular drives (C: / D: / ) to the ext HDD to free up space. I then connect my HDD to another comp 2. upload the files. When I re-connect ext HDD to comp 1 to repeat the process - VISTA, MS, whoever will not let me access the drive or files. It appears in Device Manager, it appears in Disk Manager. But I cannot initialize, assign, merge, etc. the drive. It appears as "unallocated" and is partitioned into the free space and used space. I cannot do anything with the used space partition - everything is grayed out. <br><br>any suggestions?

Romualdo May 6, 2011 10:01 PM

Thanks

Thanks, it was driving me mad. I wonder why MS, instead of making the things easier, oblige you to follow 3, 4 or more steps to do things that XP accomplished in just one step.
Anyway... Thanks again!!

vishal Apr 30, 2011 7:06 AM

thanks

found this extremely helpful, thanks pal!

Jia Apr 3, 2011 1:31 PM

incorrect function

Hi I have a problem. my external hard disk is not showing in my computer but the device manager is able to detect it. I followed your instructions and try to initialize the disk but the message "incorrect function" just keep poping up. what should I do now?

Bill Fulks Mar 18, 2011 5:50 PM

Bob

What options do you get when you right click, since Initialize is not there?

Bob Zimmerman Mar 18, 2011 3:10 PM

Additional SATA HDD in HP Pavilion Laptop with Vista

Bill, I have installed an additional SATA HDD in my HP Pavilion laptop. The Vista system recognized it and installed the driver automatically. I can see the drive in Compter Management/Disk Management as Disk 1, Unknown, Not Initialized with 298.09 GB Unallocated. When I right click on the Disk 1 I do not get the dialog box to Initialize so I can format. Can you help?

Fay Mar 14, 2011 7:04 AM

Query

Hi, I'm using win7 and having troubles initializing an external drive [via USB].
I choose the initialize option but get the error of "incorrect function" from virtual disk manager. What can I do to get around that?

Sangy Simmons Mar 8, 2011 12:25 AM

WIndows Recovery

Really a great article, i am using the Stellar Windows Recovery software for my data recovery and it recovers all my deleted, corrupted and damaged files easily without any loss. Thank you for the post.

Doug Feb 24, 2011 4:34 PM

Was tearing my hair out until I found this. Winner! Easy to understand and follow!

Alexander Lyon Feb 21, 2011 12:03 PM

External Backup HDD's PROBLEMS

Help! Hope someone/Expert could offer advice! I have a good External Back-up HITACHI 3.5” SATA HDD of 500GB capacity and 7200rpm with independent power supply running OK since 2007. But yesterday, this HDD could not spin or read or write data after the below said incidence.

During the incident, my Apple Notebook Computer MacBook Pro (with boot-camp dual-boot MS Windows Vista Business O/S) suddenly went into hibernation as soon as the battery level drops to 10% low, while I was busy backing up selective Computer data to the aforesaid External backup HDD.

During computer hibernation, the external backup HDD seemed to have stopped and steady RED light (not blinking) was observed by me. Also unfortunate, the Apple MacBook Pro computer (Windows O/S) could not resumed as usual. After waiting 20 mins, I have no alternatives but forced to press the power on/off switch to reboot my computer (Windows O/S) with the battery charger on. At this moment the external back-up HDD has a steady red light (not blinking) and did not spin or read or write any data.

After waiting 15 mins, I then shut-down my computer normally and the power supply of my external backup HDD.

After rebooting up my computer normally, I switched on the power supply of my external backup HDD again but a steady GREEN LIGHT was observed by me, it was neither spinning or reading data.

I did some simple diagnosis. I check Windows Vista directory, it did not detect or show my external backup HDD. I then went into the Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management > Volume, it said Disk 1 is UNKNOWN & NOT INITIALIZED, but other drives were OK shown with drive letters C: (Disk 0), E: (Disk 2), CD-ROM.

Highly appreciate if you could please advise me possible methods to solve or recover my data which I believe is still intact inside the external backup HDD.

Alexander

Michael Griffin Feb 6, 2011 10:32 AM

Finding and formatting

Thanks for the Great Help on Finding and formatting a new extra harddrive in a vista machine, followed advice and worked like a charm. Good Job.

Michael Feb 1, 2011 11:54 AM

Thanks for the advice !

Got it to work, just like that! Brilliant and Thanks for the advice ! :-)

Quenna Jan 29, 2011 10:08 AM

my external hd doesn't even show up!!

i followed all your instructions but when it came to finding it in the disk management area, it still didnt show up. and there's no option to add a new disk drive. can you please advise how to proceed now??

Bradley Jan 19, 2011 4:41 PM

Turning off write protection.

Hi, to anyone who may be reading this.

I've got a massive problem.

I've got a 1TB WD external hdd, and it all worked fine when I bought it a month ago. basically, the problem is that is has decided to set itself to be write protected, and I cant figure out how to turn it off.

I've tried changing the StorageDevicePolicies in Regedit to allow write access and it is not working.

I did have some data on it, and the data that is on it is very important, to the extent that if I lose the data, I will lose my job.

and I refuse to pay £400 for a data recovery person to come and do it for me.

So basically, I need help to either un-write protect my external HDD or to recover my files from the HDD.

Anyone?

Joseph Dec 18, 2010 9:45 AM

unable to initialize

would like to know why i get a redundancy check error everytime i try to init the hdd 1.5 tb segate in a usb ext.

Max Dec 17, 2010 10:45 AM

Hi there

operating system: windows 7
Can i also let a Hard drive be detectable that already has some files on it?

because i made back up of it but didn't wanted to loose some very important files.

Computer Hardware Support Dec 8, 2010 7:57 AM

Great Post

Fantastic!!! Bookmarked this web page that has this striking guidance. Will arrive back to see if there are any updates. You, the author, are a master. Many thanks.Computer Hardware Support

Stuart Dec 1, 2010 11:35 AM

Unformatted HDD

Hi Bill
Ive recently bought a new HDD for my compaq Laptop and is unformatted (obviously) and can't put windows on it until its Formatted. The old HDD had a recovery partition on it but never got round too backing it up is there any way i can format this HDD to make it windows ready without the Recovery Disk?

Trofolo Nov 19, 2010 8:35 AM

Bill Fulks

Hi Bill
I was keeping that as a last resort.
But not having had any better suggestions
I followed Your advice, Erased the Disk and attempted to Reformat it as a Whole.
Sadly with no success. It stopped at 54%.
Must assume Your Prognosis of it being a Bad Drive must be right and I will send it back.
I appreciated Your suggestion and Thank You for Your time.
Trofolo

Bill Fulks Nov 18, 2010 1:27 PM

Trofolo

You might have a bad drive if it won't format. Try making it all one partition and format that way and see if it works.

Trofolo Nov 18, 2010 11:37 AM

formatting new hard drive

Bought a 2TB (WD) to add to W. Vista.
Initialized and Partitioned it half way.
Using Disk Management it Formatted the first Volume of 984 GB no Problem.
Tried Formatting the second part of 879 GB but all it does is 4% and no more!!!
It shows that is (Formatting) but hours later is still at 4%.

Any Suggestions Please???
I Would Really Appreciate it.
Thank You.

Omar Oct 29, 2010 12:01 AM

Need Help

Thanks for the quick response. I have tried various jumper options but no one went good. By the way 'master' jumper setting goes well on my old pc with xp that already has internal primary HD with master setting. Its really strange and frustrating.

Bill Fulks Oct 28, 2010 11:47 PM

To Omar

Try pulling the jumper off where it is set to Master so it go to CS or Cable Select (or is it Computer Select - I forget) and see if it works that way. If you have it set to Master, it won't work since your primary hard drive is already going to be the Master drive.

Omar Oct 28, 2010 11:36 PM

Need help too

My problem is that my HD works perfectly with my old PC (Win XP) as an external drive through USB. But when I attach it with my new PC (Vista Home Premium), the HD is shown in 'Device Manager' only and no where in 'My Computer' or in 'Disk Management'. I have tried different USB ports on my new PC but I couldn't be able to get it recognized by Vista yet. I have searched the internet and most of the solutions say about changing of drive letters and reformatting but my problem is that external hard drive does not appear in 'Disk Management' section at all in any form. I have set the Jumper to 'Master' and format type is NTFS. Any help in this regard will be much appreciated.

Ijaz A Oct 27, 2010 1:55 PM

You are da man!

I had purchased a Hitachi 1TB internal HDD few months back and was hoping to use it in my Xp PC. No matter what the HDD would not show up. Finally I purchased a HDD USB docking station and connected it to my Windows 7 laptop. It showed under devices but did not show as a HDD. I followed your article, initialized and formatted it from disk mgmt. Now it works with Windows 7, after long 5 months in the dark. I have to see if it works with Xp. Thanks!

Michelle Oct 25, 2010 11:12 AM

Thank you

Perfect instructions. Thank you.

John D Oct 24, 2010 3:58 PM

How to Install an Unformatted HD in Vista

Super advice. Working with my geek brother and he skipped the step on initializing... Thanks

Datatek Aug 3, 2010 3:36 AM

Vista

Vista = lots of pretty speed sapping graphics, lots of stupid time wasting messages, and important tasks like Formatting hidden away and made difficult to access, even harder for me operating on a French computer!
Thanks for the help, Spot on info.

dr goldsylver Jul 29, 2010 12:28 PM

MARVELLOUS

So simple but i could have passed hours to find out why it was not working,many thanks ,1000 of my respects, and that happiness enlight your day for deeply helping us,on giving some of your time.
;D

Jamie Jul 17, 2010 12:35 PM

Great stuff

many thanks - worked perfectly

sanny Jul 16, 2010 12:43 AM

THank you Bill

Thanks for instructions sir

Roy Jul 1, 2010 3:35 PM

How to install an unformatted hard drive

Further to my plea, I was advised to follow the format drop down window and select exFAT (the only other alternative to NTFS by this stage) and use the Quick Format choice. The thing formatted in 2 seconds and I have successfully re-saved Michael Jackson and also started to move my photograph folders.

Chuck Jun 9, 2010 6:17 PM

No simple volume option

I think I have the new drive initialized. In Disk management it identifies Disk 1 with type Basic and shows capacity with status online. However, when I right click on Disk 1, I do not get an option for "New Simple Volume". I only get options for New Spanned, Striped, and Mirrored volumes.

The disk is not showing up in Windows Explorer.

Have I missed something?

Roy Jun 9, 2010 11:30 AM

How to Install an Unformatted Hard Drive in Windows Vista

Hi,
I recently purchased a Samsung S2 Ext HD, and several people recommended it should be re-formatted from FAT32 to NTFS. I saved the contents (inc Michael Jackson's This Is It) to my desktop and tried to re-format but ended up with a RAW unformatted disc.
Following your path to Disk Management, I get the size of the disc and RAW, not Not Initialised.
I tried clicking on Format and after 5 1/2 hours it just told me it had failed so I'm back to square 1.
What am I doing wrong?

Desiree May 30, 2010 5:53 PM

So Helpful

Thank you so much. This was perfect. The instructions that were provided with the drive for formatting in vista are all wrong and your's are easy to follow and understand.

Caleb Apr 30, 2010 3:26 PM

where to click

When He says to right-click where it says 'not initialized' he means right there, not in the section to the right. I was very frustrated till I figured this out. If you click on the right hand portion, you only get the 'new simple volume' option until it is initialized. Vista makes this way too complicated.

Kevin Apr 19, 2010 7:44 PM

Thx a lot... very helpfull...

Terrence Apr 13, 2010 11:58 AM

Great Help!

Thanx for the great help! Very detailed and helpful!
Now I got a hard drive to fill...

oscar delgado Apr 2, 2010 9:42 PM

Really helpfull

Wow great google found this for me finally able to get my new sata hd working thanks

baranzio Feb 21, 2010 3:47 AM

This is great info. Thanks!

A straight to the point workable solution. Appreciated.

Mike Robbins Feb 9, 2010 2:30 AM

Thank You Bill

Thanks for your instructions concering how to initalize a new unformatted hard drive when using Windows Vista. I was stuck on the step to initalize the hard drive first, but you cleared that up. I performed the format process and now the disc works great. Thanks again Bill Fulks.

Jesse Jan 29, 2010 12:54 PM

extra hard drive

I have Windows 7 and trying to mirror (ghost) to another hard drive. Lots of problems..including new hd "not found"......"not recognized"....

Ne help would b much appreciated. Tnx

Bill Fulks Dec 28, 2009 10:43 AM

For Robyn

Make sure you right click on the disk and choose 'Initialize disk'. You may have missed that step.

Robyn Dec 25, 2009 5:08 PM

need help

I followed your steps and at the end of the wizard it keeps telling me " operation cannot be completed because the disk is not initialized ". ??

Bill Fulks Nov 18, 2009 9:32 AM

To Simon

It sounds like your hard drive may be bad.

Simon Nov 18, 2009 6:05 AM

Same problem as Konrad, I did those things and got an error saying "the drive cannot find the sector requested". I've hit a wall, any ideas?

George Nov 5, 2009 1:37 PM

no drive letter

I can see the drive in computer management but no drive letter attached to it. When I right click on the drive the only option I have is "Delete Volume"
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Bill Fulks Oct 25, 2009 12:23 PM

For Konrad

Try deleting the current partition first in Vista, then try following my steps. If it works in XP, then that tells me you have already initialized the drive.

konrad Smirch Oct 25, 2009 6:20 AM

Unable to initialize

hi,

I followed your steps to initializing disk. But i get the following error "the drive cannot find the sector requested".
I am using a WD 1TB external hard disk. This HD works on My XP Desktop but not on my Vista Home Laptop,

Ne advice on how to proceed from here.

TIA

Konrad

Chris Oct 6, 2009 3:57 PM

Wow, thanks for that. I was trying to get mine working for ages. I really appreciate it. Many thanks Chris

Wolffe Oct 4, 2009 5:20 PM

Very Well Done

I tried to format a drive but it wouldn't format so I used a program to write all 1's and 0's. Couldn't find the drive to format it then. Tried your suggestions and they worked awsome. Thanks

Al Oct 3, 2009 7:12 PM

New hard drive

For 2 days i have been looking in the net for the informations on how to install a new drive on vista this is the best informations i wanted and it works line a sharm, thank you for excelent information.

Barbayat Sep 21, 2009 9:57 PM

Thank you this really helped me installing my new harddrive.

naeem Aug 19, 2009 4:18 PM

Need help

hi hope you doing well was just thinking if you can help me i got windows vista ultimate and a Lacie Biggest Quadra 4TB i set the raid to 0 every time i try to initialize the disk it says 'The media is write-protected'....
Thanks in Advance

Keegan Aug 17, 2009 6:14 AM

Bloody Genious

Thankyou so much for your guide
I was at a loss i got a new 1tb external hdd today and i was exited and ready to go but when i plugged it in the system recognized it but nothing else would your guide fixed all the prblems also may i add that this guide works great for Windows 7 as well XD

Claudia Jul 31, 2009 10:28 AM

initiliazed but can't format

This was the first time I ever connected a new hard drive and the computer recognized its existence but it wouldn't show up in My Computer. Device manager wouldn't populate it, and I was at a loss. I used these instructions on an XP machine - everything worked the same. You saved the day for me! Thanks.

Thank Yoy - Danke - Tak - Merci,,, Jun 30, 2009 8:22 AM

initialize...

I'v almost gave up -
thanks to your page - i might still have a nice weekende

ken mangum Jun 17, 2009 1:02 AM

suggestion

I initialized and formatted a new laptop hard drive. All seemed to go well, but I have a suggestion.

Why not suggest what do do for the reserve volume or whatever it is and make some other suggestions for the settings for the hard drive.

Thanks again.
Ken

ken mangum Jun 16, 2009 1:37 AM

thank you

It took some searching but I found you page. You present the question that I need answering and then explain it very simply and even explain why and what to be aware of.

I've not yet initialized and formatted, but you make it sound simple. You're amazing.

Thank you. (Here's hoping it works, right!)

Jude Jun 13, 2009 10:46 PM

Brilliant

This is the first website i clicked, and thats all i needed! brilliant! thank you