Applies to Windows Vista

Fdisk: frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some common questions about Fdisk.

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What is Fdisk?

Fdisk is an advanced command line tool that was part of earlier versions of Windows. Fdisk was used to create, delete, and format partitions on hard disks that were formatted using the FAT32 and other FAT file systems required by earlier versions of Windows. Fdisk does not work with partitions or hard disks that are formatted using NTFS, and it is not included with this version of Windows. For more information about hard disks and formatting, see Formatting disks and drives.

How do I partition a hard disk if I cannot use Fdisk?

In this version of Windows, use Disk Management to create, delete, and format partitions and volumes using both NTFS and FAT32 file formats. You can also create and format volumes when installing Windows using the Windows installation disk. For more information about partitioning, see Can I repartition my hard disk?

Where can I find more information about Fdisk?

Read the Fdisk article at the Microsoft Knowledge Base website.

For more in-depth information for IT professionals, go to the Microsoft website for IT professionals.