format/delete

I want to remove a ton of photos from a flash drive.
Is formatting "quick" the same as deleting as far as removal goes? It seems to be quicker. I notice the only choice is Fat -is that OK?

 

Fat is right.

 

Quick format does not fully delete the files. With the right software, they could be recovered to some degree. Not so sure this is also true of picture files.

I always opt for a full format.

 

I was confused because when I hooked up my 2T external drive, I had the oportunity to quick format as NTFS becase the drivecame through for Macs.
SO, I assumed there was always a quick NTFS format.
When I inserted the flash drive I only saw quick FAT format so thought there ws a problem not knowing the default, or only option, is quick FAT format.
BY full format do you mean using a proram like Eraser or Diskwipe?
Btw, quick format or delete is ok for my needs beause there is no sensitive information on the drive and I just wanted to remove the photos I had backed up until Snapfish delivered them.

 

No, just uncheck the box for Quick Format, and then you'll have a full format.

Right, quick format will suffice in that case.

Regarding file format for the flash drive, either FAT or NTFS would probably work fine for you. If you don't have NTFS as an option, that is probably due to a setting in your OS (operating system). What is your OS, i.e. what version of Windows?

 

When it comes to flash drives, I normally always recommend formatting in FAT. Reason why is, if you use this flash drive on multiple computers, if it is formated in NFTS and you plug it in to a computer that is formated FAT, it won't read it. At least I have seen this before. Just a suggestion.

 

>>I have win xp, sp3 and there are three choices when I right click the flashdrive in 'My Comp' under format.
Quick format, create ms - dos and compression.
There is no choice in MY Comp for just format.
Is my os out dated or am I in the wrong place to format?

 

Again, just uncheck the box for Quick Format before formatting, and then you'll have a full/regular formatting.

I believe that is not correct, at least not true as a general statement. If the OS is capable of reading NTFS, which would be Win 2K or later, then it will read a flash drive formatted NTFS. So, yes, if old OS such as Win 98 might be involved, then FAT should be used to format the flash drive.

 

The format used by the computer reading the drive is not relevant, it is the operating system that determines this issue. Win2K/XP and later will read drives formatted either as FAT or NTFS. Win 9X/Me will only read drives formatted as FAT (or FAT32).

 

Knowing the drive will work with both systems is good to know, Thank you.