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This guide explains <strong>how to use the diskpart utility</strong> for the following Windows versions: <strong>Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 </strong>or<strong> 10.</strong>

[toc]
<h2>What is diskpart</h2>
The diskpart utility (available in Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10) can be used to create or delete partitions on your PC.

[caption id="attachment_2530" align="alignnone" width="564"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2530" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/09/cmd-list-disk.jpg" alt="Command Prompt: list disk" width="564" height="74" /> Command Prompt: list disk[/caption]

The utility allows you to:
<ul>
 	<li>Partion</li>
 	<li>Remove partitions</li>
 	<li>Remove formatting</li>
 	<li>Assign and remove drive letters and mount points</li>
 	<li>Convert disks from basic to dynamic</li>
 	<li>Create and extend volumes</li>
</ul>
Most commands that you can perform in Disk Management (see <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/boot-partition/">Boot partitions</a>) are available with diskpart. Because it's a command line utility, you need to open Command Prompt and type <code>diskpart</code>.

On Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 10 systems, you can type <code>diskpart</code> at <strong>Run</strong>, click <strong>OK</strong> or press <kbd>Enter</kbd> and Command Prompt will automatically open with diskpart loaded.

When the utility is loaded, you will notice the version installed on your computer:
<pre>Microsoft DiskPart version 6.1.7600
Copyright  1999-2008 Microsoft Corporation.
On Computer: MY_COMPUTER</pre>
<h3>Commands and parameters</h3>
The diskpart tool has the following commands and parameters available:
<ul>
 	<li><code>select</code> can set the focus on a specific target</li>
 	<li><code>select disk</code> - use this command to set the focus on a specific disk

[caption id="attachment_2531" align="alignnone" width="564"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2531" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/09/cmd-select-disk-1.jpg" alt="Command Prompt: select disk" width="564" height="101" /> Command Prompt: select disk[/caption]</li>
 	<li><code>select partition</code> - use the select partition command to set the focus on a specific partition</li>
 	<li><code>select volume</code> - use this command to set the focus on a specific volume</li>
 	<li><code>detail disk</code> will deliver information about the current disk</li>
 	<li><code>detail partition</code> will deliver information about the current partition</li>
 	<li><code>detail volume</code> will deliver information about the current volume</li>
 	<li><code>list disk</code> - use list disk to get summary information about the available disks on your computer</li>
 	<li><code>list partition</code> - use this command to get information about each partition available on a specific disk</li>
 	<li><code>list volume</code> - use list volume to get information about each volume available on the computer</li>
 	<li><code>active</code> - use the active command to set the focus on the current partition to be active</li>
 	<li><code>assign</code> - use assign to assign a letter or a mount point to the current active partition</li>
 	<li><code>create partition primary size=SIZE_IN_MB</code> - use this command to create a new primary partition. The <code>SIZE_IN_MB</code> is the size of the partition you want to create, in MB.</li>
 	<li><code>create partition extended size=SIZE_IN_MB</code> - use this command to create a new extended partition. The <code>SIZE_IN_MB</code> is the size of the partition you want to create, in MB.</li>
 	<li><code>create partition logical size=SIZE_IN_MB</code> - use this command to create a new logical partition. The <code>SIZE_IN_MB</code> is the size of the partition you want to create, in MB.</li>
 	<li><code>delete partition</code> will delete the current active partition</li>
 	<li><code>extend</code> will extend the current volume</li>
 	<li><code>remove</code> will remove a letter or a mount point from the current active partition</li>
 	<li><code>active</code> - use this to set the current volume as active</li>
 	<li><code>add disk</code> - use this command to add a mirror to the current active volume</li>
 	<li><code>break disk</code> - use this command to break the mirror added</li>
 	<li><code>create volume stripe</code> - use this to create a stripe set volume on a specified disk</li>
 	<li><code>create volume raid</code> - use this command to create a Raid-5 volume on a specified disk</li>
 	<li><code>delete disk</code> - use this command to delete a missing dynamic disk</li>
 	<li><code>delete partition</code> - use this command to delete the current active partition</li>
 	<li><code>extend disk</code> - use this command to extend the current volume</li>
 	<li><code>import</code> can be used to import disks from a foreigh disk group</li>
 	<li><code>online</code> can be used to bring a disk or a volume online that was previously offline</li>
 	<li><code>remove</code> can be used to remove a letter or a mount point from the current active volume</li>
 	<li><code>retain</code> is used to prepare a volume to be used as a boot or system volume</li>
 	<li><code>convert mbr</code> will set the partition style of the current disk to MBR</li>
 	<li><code>convert gpt</code> will set the partition style to GPT</li>
 	<li><code>convert dynamic</code> will change a basic disk into a dynamic one</li>
 	<li><code>convert basic</code> will convert a dynamic disk (empty disk) into a basic disk</li>
 	<li><code>exit</code> will exit the utility</li>
 	<li><code>clean</code> will remove the partition or volume formatting from the current disk</li>
 	<li><code>rescan</code> can rescann the I/O buses and can discover new disks added to the computer</li>
 	<li><code>help</code> will display the list of all available commands</li>
</ul>
<h3>Error Codes</h3>
You can find a list error codes to debug various errors:
<ul>
 	<li>Code <code>0</code> means that no errors occurred</li>
 	<li>Code <code>1</code> means that a fatal exception occurred</li>
 	<li>Code <code>2</code> means that the parameters you specified for a command are incorrect</li>
 	<li>Code <code>3</code> means that diskpart is unable to open the specified file</li>
 	<li>Code <code>4</code> means that diskpart (one of the services used by the utility) returned a failure</li>
 	<li>Code <code>5</code> means a command syntax error</li>
</ul>
<h2>diskpart in Windows XP</h2>
Note that the <strong>fdisk</strong> utility found in pre-Windows XP systems is now known as <strong>diskpart</strong> on Windows XP systems.
<h3>If you can boot into Windows XP</h3>
If you can boot into your computer, you simply need to open <strong>Command Prompt</strong> to access diskpart:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot into Windows XP</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Start</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Run</strong></li>
 	<li>Type <code>cmd</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd> or click <strong>OK</strong></li>
 	<li>At the Command Prompt window, type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<h3>If you can't boot into Windows XP</h3>
If you can't boot into Windows XP to access diskpart, you have 2 options:
<ul>
 	<li>Use the original CD to access Recovery Console</li>
 	<li>Use Easy Recovery Essentials to launch Command Line</li>
</ul>
<strong>If you have the original CD:</strong>

If you can't boot into Windows XP, but you have the original CD, you can access the Recovery Console:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the Windows XP CD</li>
 	<li>Reboot the computer</li>
 	<li>Press any key to boot from the CD</li>
 	<li>At the Microsoft Setup menu, press <kbd>R</kbd></li>
 	<li>Select the operating system and enter the Administrator password, if requested</li>
 	<li>When Command Line appears, type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<strong>If you use Easy Recovery Essentials:</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>Download <a href="https://neosmart.net/EasyRE/">Easy Recovery Essentials</a></li>
 	<li>Burn the ISO Image. Follow <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/creating-a-bootable-cd-or-dvd/">our instructions on how to burn a bootable ISO image</a>. If you'd like to have a recovery USB instead, follow <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/easybcd/tips-and-tricks/easyre-recovery-usb/">our instructions on how to make a recovery USB</a>.</li>
 	<li>Boot Easy Recovery Essentials from the CD, DVD or USB</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Launch Command Line</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/EasyRE-Home.png" /></li>
</ol>
<h2>diskpart in Windows Vista</h2>
<p class="info">You need to run these steps as an Administrator on Windows Vista systems.</p>
If you can boot into Windows Vista with no errors, <a href="#If_you_can_boot_into_Windows_Vista">follow the If you can boot into Windows Vista set of instructions</a>. Otherwise, follow <a href="#If_you_can8217t_boot_into_Windows_Vista">If you can't boot into Windows Vista</a>.
<h3>If you can boot into Windows Vista</h3>
You simply need to open Command Prompt, if you can boot into Windows Vista:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot into Windows Vista</li>
 	<li>Click Start</li>
 	<li>Type <code>cmd</code></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Command Prompt</strong> from the search results list. You may need to right-click Command Prompt &gt; Run as Administrator, if you are not logged in as Administrator already</li>
 	<li>Type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>

<h3>If you can't boot into Windows Vista</h3>
If you can't boot into your system, you have the following options:
<ul>
 	<li>Use the installation disc to access System Recovery Options</li>
 	<li>Access System Recovery Options without the installation disc (if installed)</li>
 	<li>Use Easy Recovery Essentials and access Command Line</li>
</ul>
<strong>If you have the installation disc:</strong>

If you can't boot into Windows Vista, but you have the Windows Vista disc, follow these steps to open diskpart:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the original CD/DVD in the optical drive</li>
 	<li>Boot your computer</li>
 	<li>Press any key to boot from the CD/DVD</li>
 	<li>Select your language, time and keyboard</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Next</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-vista-repair-your-computer.png" alt="Windows Vista Repair Your Computer" /></li>
 	<li>Select the operating system</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Next</strong></li>
 	<li>When the <em>System Recovery Options</em> screen appears, click <strong>Command Prompt</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-vista-system-recovery-options.jpg" alt="Windows Vista System Recovery Options" /></li>
 	<li>Type <code>diskpart</code>:
<pre>diskpart</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>
<strong>If you don't have the installation disc:</strong>

If your Windows Vista has the System Recovery Options installed and is available at the Advanced Boot Options menu, you can run Command Prompt from there. <strong>Otherwise, see the "If you use Easy Recovery Essentials" set of instructions below.</strong>

<strong>Follow these steps below to access diskpart without the installation disc:</strong>
<ol>
<ol>
 	<li>Reboot the computer</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>F8</kbd> as your computer starts to boot, but before the Windows Vista logo appears</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Repair Your Computer</strong>, at the <em>Advanced Boot Options</em> menu</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<p class="info">If a "Repair Your Computer" option isn't listed, System Recovery Options is not installed on your computer. Use the original installation disc or <strong>go to the "If you use Easy Recovery Essentials"set of instructions below</strong> .</p>
<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/02/advanced-boot-options-repair-computer-windows-vista-on-dell.png" alt="Repair Your Computer in Advanced Boot Options" />
<ul>
 	<li>Select <strong>Command Prompt</strong> at the <em>System Recovery Options</em> menu<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-vista-system-recovery-options.jpg" alt="Windows Vista System Recovery Options" /></li>
 	<li>Type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>
<strong>If you use Easy Recovery Essentials:</strong>

If you don't have the installation disc available, can't boot into Windows Vista or you don't have the "Repair Your Computer" option listed at the Advanced Boot Options menu, you can use Easy Recovery Essentials to access Command Prompt and load diskpart.

Follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Download <a href="https://neosmart.net/EasyRE/">Easy Recovery Essentials</a></li>
 	<li>Burn the ISO Image. Follow <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/creating-a-bootable-cd-or-dvd/">our instructions on how to burn a bootable ISO image</a>. If you'd like to have a recovery USB instead, follow <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/easybcd/tips-and-tricks/easyre-recovery-usb/">our instructions on how to make a recovery USB</a>.</li>
 	<li>Boot Easy Recovery Essentials from the CD, DVD or USB</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Launch Command Line</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/EasyRE-Home.png" /></li>
</ol>
<h2>diskpart in Windows 7</h2>
On Windows 7 systems, you can access diskpart <a href="#diskpart_in_Windows_Vista">just as you do Windows Vista systems</a>.
<p class="info">Note that you need to run these steps as an Administrator on Windows 7 computers.</p>

<h3>If you can boot into Windows 7</h3>
If you can boot into your Windows 7 system, simply open Command Prompt:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot into Windows 7</li>
 	<li>Click Start</li>
 	<li>Type <code>cmd</code></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Command Prompt</strong> from the search results list. Right-click on Command Prompt &gt; Run as Administrator.</li>
 	<li>When Command Prompt loads, type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>

<h3>If you can't boot into Windows 7</h3>
Similar to Windows Vista, if you can't boot into your system, you have the following options:
<ul>
 	<li>Use the installation disc</li>
 	<li>Boot into the Advanced Boot Options menu to access System Recovery Options</li>
 	<li>Use Easy Recovery Essentials and access Command Line</li>
</ul>
<strong>If you have the installation disc:</strong>

If you can't boot into Windows 7, but you have the installation disc, you can run diskpart using the disc. To do so, follow these steps:
<ol>
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the disc in the optical drive of your computer</li>
 	<li>Restart the computer</li>
 	<li>Press any key to boot from the disc</li>
 	<li>Select your preferred language, time and keyboard</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Next</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong> at the <em>Install Windows</em> screen<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/10/Install-Now-Windows-7.jpg" alt="Install Windows 7 Screen" /></li>
 	<li>Select the operating system from the list</li>
 	<li>Click Next</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Command Prompt</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/windows-7-system-recovery-options-screen.jpg" alt="Windows 7 System Recovery Options" /></li>
 	<li>Type diskpart</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<pre>diskpart</pre>
<ol>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>
<strong>If you don't have the installation disc:</strong>

Usually, Windows 7 systems should have the System Recovery Options installed on the hard drive. If it's not (follow steps below), <strong>go to the "If you use Easy Recovery Essentials" set of instructions below for an alternative to access diskpart.</strong>

Follow these steps to access diskpart without an installation disc on a Windows 7:
<ol>
 	<li>Restart the computer</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>F8</kbd> as the computer starts to boot. Press <kbd>F8</kbd> before the Windows 7 logo appears.</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Repair Your Computer</strong> at the <em>Advanced Boot Options</em> screen
<p class="info">If <strong>Repair Your Computer</strong> is not listed, System Recovery Options is not installed on your PC. Go to If you use Easy Recovery Essentials for an alternative.</p>
<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/09/Windows-7-Advanced-Boot-Options.png" alt="Windows 7 Advanced Boot Options" /></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Command Prompt</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/windows-7-system-recovery-options-screen.jpg" alt="Windows 7 System Recovery Options" /></li>
 	<li>Type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>
<strong>If you use Easy Recovery Essentials:</strong>

Easy Recovery Essentials can run from any CD, DVD or USB flash drives.

To access diskpart using Easy Recovery Essentials, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Download <a href="https://neosmart.net/EasyRE/">Easy Recovery Essentials</a></li>
 	<li>Burn the ISO Image. Follow <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/creating-a-bootable-cd-or-dvd/">our instructions on how to burn a bootable ISO image</a>. If you'd like to have a recovery USB instead, follow <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/easybcd/tips-and-tricks/easyre-recovery-usb/">our instructions on how to make a recovery USB</a>.</li>
 	<li>Boot Easy Recovery Essentials from the CD, DVD or USB</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Launch Command Line</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/EasyRE-Home.png" /></li>
</ol>
<h2>diskpart in Windows 8</h2>
<h3>If you can boot into Windows 8</h3>
If you can boot into your Windows 8 system, you simply need to open Command Prompt to access diskpart. To do so, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot into Windows 8</li>
 	<li>Press the [winkey] key and <kbd>C</kbd> to open the charm bar</li>
 	<li>Type <code>cmd</code></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Command Prompt</strong><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2449" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/09/windows-8-search-results-cmd.jpg" alt="Windows 8 - cmd in search list" width="161" height="44" /></li>
 	<li>When Command Prompt opens, type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>

<h3>If you can't boot into Windows 8</h3>
If you can't boot into your Windows 8, you have these options available:
<ul>
 	<li>Use the original DVD or USB with Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 to access the <strong>Repair your computer</strong> option</li>
 	<li>Boot into the System Recovery Options with <kbd>Shift</kbd> and <kbd>F8</kbd></li>
 	<li>Use Easy Recovery Essentials to launch Command Line</li>
</ul>
<strong>If you have the installation disc:</strong>

If you can't boot, but you have the installation disc, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the Windows 8 DVD or 8.1 USB</li>
 	<li>Restart the computer</li>
 	<li>Press any key to boot from the media</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong> or press <kbd>R</kbd><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-8-repair-your-computer-screen.png" alt="Windows 8 Repair your computer" /></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Troubleshoot</strong></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>Type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>
<strong>If you don't have the installation disc:</strong>

If you don't have the installation disc, you can boot into System Recovery Options or use Easy Recovery Essentials.

To access diskpart without an official Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 disc, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Reboot the system</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Shift</kbd> and <kbd>F8</kbd> very quickly</li>
 	<li>At <em>Choose an option</em>, select <strong>Troubleshoot</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/02/continue-choose-an-option-windows-8.png" alt="Choose an option in Windows 8" /></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>Type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>
<strong>If you use Easy Recovery Essentials:</strong>

Easy Recovery Essentials can run from any CD, DVD or USB flash drives.

To access diskpart using Easy Recovery Essentials, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Download <a href="https://neosmart.net/EasyRE/">Easy Recovery Essentials</a></li>
 	<li>Burn the ISO Image. Follow <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/creating-a-bootable-cd-or-dvd/">our instructions on how to burn a bootable ISO image</a>. If you'd like to have a recovery USB instead, follow <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/easybcd/tips-and-tricks/easyre-recovery-usb/">our instructions on how to make a recovery USB</a>.</li>
 	<li>Boot Easy Recovery Essentials from the CD, DVD or USB</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Launch Command Line</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/EasyRE-Home.png" /></li>
</ol>
<h2>diskpart in Windows 10</h2>
<h3>If you can boot into Windows 10</h3>
If you can boot into your Windows 10 system, you simply need to open Command Prompt to access diskpart. To do so, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot into Windows 10</li>
 	<li>Press the [winkey] key and <kbd>C</kbd> to open the charm bar</li>
 	<li>Type <code>cmd</code></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Command Prompt</strong><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5168" src="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/12/cmd-200x300.png" alt="Windows 10 cmd" width="200" height="300" /></li>
 	<li>When Command Prompt opens, type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>

<h3>If you can't boot into Windows 10</h3>
If you can't boot into your Windows 10, you have these options available:
<ul>
 	<li>Use the original DVD or USB with Windows 10 to access the <strong>Repair your computer</strong> option</li>
 	<li>Boot into the System Recovery Options with <kbd>Shift</kbd> and <kbd>F8</kbd></li>
 	<li>Use Easy Recovery Essentials to launch Command Line</li>
</ul>
<strong>If you have the installation disc:</strong>

If you can't boot, but you have the installation disc, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the Windows 10 or USB</li>
 	<li>Restart the computer</li>
 	<li>Press any key to boot from the media</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong> or press <kbd>R</kbd><a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/08/Win10_setup.png"><img class="alignnone wp-image-4977 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/08/Win10_setup.png" alt="Windows 10 setup screen" width="603" height="419" /></a></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Troubleshoot</strong></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>Type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>
<strong>If you don't have the installation disc:</strong>

If you don't have the installation disc, you can boot into System Recovery Options or use Easy Recovery Essentials.

To access diskpart without an official Windows 10 media, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Reboot the system</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Shift</kbd> and <kbd>F8</kbd> very quickly</li>
 	<li>At <em>Choose an option</em>, select <strong>Troubleshoot</strong><img class="alignnone wp-image-5169 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/12/Win10_advanced_options.png" alt="win10_advanced_options" width="800" height="600" /></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>Type <code>diskpart</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<p class="info">For the full list of diskpart commands and paremeters, go to <a href="#Commands_and_parameters">Commands and Parameters</a>.</p>
<strong>If you use Easy Recovery Essentials:</strong>

Easy Recovery Essentials can run from any CD, DVD or USB flash drives.

To access diskpart, you have the following options:
<ul>
 	<li>Use the original CD/DVD or USB of your Windows to access Recovery Console (for Windows XP) or System Recovery Options (for Windows Vista-8)</li>
 	<li>Boot into the recovery mode of your Windows</li>
 	<li>Use Easy Recovery Essentials, our recovery and repair disk, and open Command Line to access diskpart</li>
</ul>
Instructions on how to access diskpart if you use Easy Recovery Essentials:
<ol>
 	<li>Download <a href="https://neosmart.net/EasyRE/">Easy Recovery Essentials</a></li>
 	<li>Burn the ISO Image. Follow <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/creating-a-bootable-cd-or-dvd/">our instructions on how to burn a bootable ISO image</a>. If you'd like to have a recovery USB instead, follow <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/easybcd/tips-and-tricks/easyre-recovery-usb/">our instructions on how to make a recovery USB</a>.</li>
 	<li>Boot Easy Recovery Essentials from the CD, DVD or USB</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Launch Command Line</strong></li>
</ol>
Instructions on how to access diskpart if you have the installation disc:
<ul>
 	<li><a href="#If_you_can_boot_into_Windows_XP">For Windows XP</a></li>
 	<li><a href="#If_you_can_boot_into_Windows_Vista">For Windows Vista</a></li>
 	<li><a href="#If_you_can_boot_into_Windows_7">For Windows 7</a></li>
 	<li><a href="#If_you_can_boot_into_Windows_8">For Windows 8 or Windows 8.1</a></li>
 	<li><a href="#If_you_can_boot_into_Windows_10">For Windows 10</a></li>
</ul>
Instructions on how to access diskpart if you don't have the installation disc:
<ul>
 	<li><a href="#If_you_can8217t_boot_into_Windows_XP">For Windows XP</a></li>
 	<li><a href="#If_you_can8217t_boot_into_Windows_Vista">For Windows Vista</a></li>
 	<li><a href="#If_you_can8217t_boot_into_Windows_7">For Windows 7</a></li>
 	<li><a href="#If_you_can8217t_boot_into_Windows_8">For Windows 8 or Windows 8.1</a></li>
 	<li><a href="#If_you_can8217t_boot_into_Windows_10">For Windows 10</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Format USB with diskpart</h3>
To format a USB flash drive with diskpart, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Open the utility by typing <code>diskpart</code> in Command Prompt</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Once loaded, type <code>list disk</code>:
<pre>list disk</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Determine which of the disks listed is your USB flash drive, e.g. Disk 2.</li>
 	<li>Type <code>select disk 2</code>, if #2 is the USB flash drive presented by the list disk command</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Type <code>clean</code> to clean the USB flash drive:
<pre>clean</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Type this command:
<pre>create partition primary</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Type <code>active</code>:
<pre>active</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>You should now receive this confirmation message:
<pre>DiskPart marked the current partition as active.</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Type this command to format the USB flash drive:
<pre>format fs=ntfs label="MY USB DRIVE"</pre>
where <code>ntfs</code> is the NTFS file system (you can also use fs=fat32) and "MY USB DRIVE" is the label given to the USB drive.</li>
 	<li>Type <code>assign</code>:
<pre>assign</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Quit diskpart by typing <code>exit</code>:
<pre>exit</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<h3>Bootable USB with diskpart</h3>
To create a bootable USB using diskpart, follow the steps from <a href="#Format_USB_with_diskpart">Format USB with diskpart</a>.

Once successfully formatted the drive, simply copy the files to the USB drive.
<h3>USB not showing in diskpart</h3>
diskpart will not list external media, e.g. USB flash drive, if you're using Windows XP.

Windows Vista to Windows 8 systems will show the USB flash drives in diskpart.
<h2>More Information</h2>
[partial name="partial_moreinfo" versions="xp,vista,7,8,10,server2003,server2008,server2012"]