Reformatatge

Reformatatge is a term used in computing to describe the process of preparing a storage device, such as a hard drive or USB flash drive, for initial use or to erase all existing data and reinstall a file system. This action essentially overwrites the existing structure of the device with a new one, making it ready to store files again.

The primary purpose of reformatting is to create a clean slate on a storage medium. This can be necessary for several reasons. For instance, when a new hard drive is purchased, it needs to be formatted before it can be recognized and used by an operating system. Reformatting is also commonly performed to remove all data from a drive, which is often done when selling or donating a device to ensure privacy. Furthermore, if a storage device becomes corrupted or develops errors, reformatting can sometimes resolve these issues by rebuilding the file system.

During the reformatting process, a file system is chosen and installed on the drive. Common file systems include FAT32, NTFS, exFAT, and HFS+, each with its own advantages and limitations regarding file size, compatibility with different operating systems, and performance. The choice of file system depends on the intended use of the drive and the operating systems it will be used with. Reformatting can be a quick process or a more thorough one, with the latter often including a scan for bad sectors on the drive.