Microsoft 365 Endpoint AdministratorDeploy Windows client (25-30%)Easy

A technician needs to perform a clean installation of Windows 11 on a new solid-state drive (SSD) that will replace an existing hard disk. The SSD is currently unallocated space. Before installing Windows, the technician needs to prepare the drive by creating a primary partition and making it active. Which command-line utility, likely accessed from a Windows PE environment, should the technician use?

  1. Aformat
  2. Bchkdsk
  3. Cbootrec
  4. Ddiskpart
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D. diskpart

DiskPart is a command-line utility used to manage disk partitions. It can create, delete, format, and manage partitions and volumes on hard disks, making it ideal for preparing a new unallocated drive for a Windows installation.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. format formats an existing partition, it doesn't create or activate it.
  • B. chkdsk checks and repairs file system errors, not for partition management.
  • C. bootrec is for repairing boot configuration data, not for initial disk partitioning.

DiskPart

A command-line utility in Windows used to manage disk objects (disks, partitions, volumes). It allows users to create, delete, format, extend, and assign drive letters to partitions.

  • Essential for advanced disk management tasks.
  • Often used in Windows PE for preparing drives for OS installation.
  • Commands include 'list disk', 'select disk', 'create partition primary', 'active', 'format'.

Memory trick: DiskPart carves up your disk into 'parts'.

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