Initialize and Format a New Disk with PowerShell

Turn a brand-new disk into a usable drive: initialize, partition to full size and format NTFS in three commands.

WindowssystemdiskpowershellHigh risk

Run `Initialize-Disk -Number 1`, then `New-Partition -DiskNumber 1 -UseMaximumSize -AssignDriveLetter`, then `Format-Volume -DriveLetter D -FileSystem NTFS` in an administrator PowerShell.

01Command

Command

$ Initialize-Disk -Number 1
New-Partition -DiskNumber 1 -UseMaximumSize -AssignDriveLetter
Format-Volume -DriveLetter D -FileSystem NTFS

02What it does

A factory-new disk shows up nowhere in Explorer until it is initialized, partitioned and formatted. PowerShell does all three: Initialize-Disk writes a GPT partition table, New-Partition with -UseMaximumSize -AssignDriveLetter carves one full-size partition and mounts it at the next free letter, and Format-Volume applies NTFS. The same steps revive a disk that Windows refuses to mount, not just brand-new hardware.

03Risk

RiskHigh risk

RequirementsRequires an administrator PowerShell. Verify the disk number with Get-Disk first — initializing erases the disk's partition table.

!Warning: Initializing destroys the existing partition table — every file on the disk becomes unreachable. Confirm the disk number with Get-Disk and never initialize the disk Windows is running from.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

New-Partition cmdlet | Microsoft Learn
Microsoft · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
Evidence: New-Partition creates a partition; -UseMaximumSize and -AssignDriveLetter size it to the whole disk and mount it.
Initialize-Disk cmdlet | Microsoft Learn
Microsoft · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Initialize-Disk readies a disk for use; -PartitionStyle (GPT or MBR) sets the partition table and -Number selects the disk.
Format-Volume cmdlet | Microsoft Learn
Microsoft · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Format-Volume formats a volume; -FileSystem NTFS and -DriveLetter select the target.

Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: System & Settings

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