Devices Initialize Disk in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to Initialize a new "unknown" RAW disk in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

If you add a new disk to your PC, and it doesn't show up in File Explorer, you might need to initialize the disk before you can use it.

You can only initialize a drive that's not yet formatted. When you initialize a disk, everything on the disk is erased. This action prepares the disk for use by Windows. After you initialize your disk, you can format it, and then store files on it.

Windows uses the partition style to understand how to access the data on the disk.

When you initialize a disk, you can choose to use a MBR (Master Boot Record) or GPT (GUID Partition Table) Partition Style for the disk.

Most PCs use the GUID Partition Table (GPT) disk type for hard drives and SSDs. GPT is more robust and allows for volumes bigger than 2 TB. The older Master Boot Record (MBR) disk type is used by 32-bit PCs, older PCs, and removable drives such as memory cards.

Master Boot Record (MBR) disks use the standard BIOS partition table. GUID partition table (GPT) disks use the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). MBR disks don't support more than four partitions on each disk. The MBR partition method isn't recommended for disks larger than 2 terabytes (TB).

References:

This option is only available in Windows 11.

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Storage on the right side. (see screenshot below)



3 Click/tap on Yes if prompted by UAC.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.7705 (24H2) and build 26200.7705 (25H2), to help ensure that only authorized Windows users can access system files, Windows now displays a User Account Control (UAC) prompt when you open Storage settings (Settings > System > Storage).

Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.8514 (RP 24H2), and build 26200.8514 (RP 25H2), Microsoft updated Settings > System > Storage, so rather than seeing a UAC prompt immediately when you go to the page, you’ll only see it when going to view temporary files.

4 Under Storage management, click/tap on Advanced storage settings to expand it open, and click/tap on Disks & volumes. (see screenshot below)



5 Click/tap on the Initialize button for the "Not initialized" disk. (see screenshot below)


6 Select (dot) GPT or MBR for the Partition Style you want, and click/tap on Initialize. (see screenshot below)


7 You will now be able to Create volume with the "Unallocated" space on the disk. (see screenshot below)







1 Open Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc).

2 In the bottom pane, right click on the "Unknown" and "Not Initialized" disk, and click/tap on Initialize Disk. (see screenshot below)


3 Select (dot) GPT or MBR for the Partition Style you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)


4 You will now be able to create a partition (volume) with the "Unallocated" space on the disk. (see screenshot below)

You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Command Prompt.

2 Copy and paste the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 4)


3 Copy and paste the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 4)


4 Make note of the Disk number (ex: "2") of the disk to initialize. (see screenshot below)


5 Type the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

Substitute <number> in the command above with the actual disk number (ex: "2") you want from step 4 above.

For example: select disk 2

6 Copy and paste the command below for the Partition Style you want into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshots below)





7 You will now be able to create a partition (volume) with the "Unallocated" space on the disk.

You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Windows PowerShell.

2 Copy and paste the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 3)


3 Make note of the disk Number (ex: "2") of the RAW disk to initialize. (see screenshot below)


4 Type the command below for the Partition Style you want into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

Substitute <DiskNumber> in the command above with the actual disk number (ex: "2") you want from step 3.

For example: Initialize-Disk -Number 2 -PartitionStyle GPT

5 You will now be able to create a partition (volume) with the "Unallocated" space on the disk.



That's it,
Shawn Brink