normal format vs quick format

[Mr.Reggin]

whats the difference between  these too format methods?

[AlwaysFSX]

Normal takes sooooooooooo long (once took me three hours, doubt that may be normal), quick takes maybe a minute.

How it actually effects the formatting process, I have no clue.

[Geekazoid]

Normal takes sooooooooooo long (once took me three hours, doubt that may be normal), quick takes maybe a minute.

How it actually effects the formatting process, I have no clue.

There is a technical explanation, I just can't remember what it is. :unsure:

[Krzyimprt]

whats the difference between  these too format methods?

quick Format:

Erases the Drive's MFT file

Full Format:

Erases everything and resets all Magnetic platters

[Syntaxvgm]

Normal writes zeros on every bit pretty much, the quick just erases the file table. If you quick format a drive you can most of the time recover files without any kind of forensics tools on mechanical hard drives. 

[Mr.Reggin]

Normal writes zeros on every bit pretty much, the quick just erases the file table. If you quick format a drive you can most of the time recover files without any kind of forensics tools on mechanical hard drives. 

okay, so I will always use the normal format, I mean, lets be honest, you arent formatting drives that often.

[UnknownEngineer]

Everything considered I don't think the normal format is needed. As far as I know it doesn't have a performance effect on the drive, and if I am reformatting then I think it is nice to get the drive back in action ASAP.

I don't have anything on my drives that needs to be erased for security...